I think my ETM is failing?

geokilla · Post by **geokilla** » 19 Sep 2014, 22:59

So for the past few months, I've noticed that I am getting minor power surges and the throttle will rarely not close properly until at a complete stop when off the throttle. At first, they were rare and I thought that it was because of the wonky AC clutch messing with the engine load. Since it wasn't a significant problem, I didn't deal with it or give it much thought as I know that the ETM (yellow label) is old and will eventually fail. However I have been driving the car since Thursday and noticed that I am getting power surges when off the throttle. The surge is brief but the engine will rev a bit and if I am not stepping on the brakes hard enough when at a complete stop, the car will actually move a couple inches. When already cruising or accelerating, meaning I am already on the throttle, the car will surge as if I jabbed the throttle for a brief second then it will go back to normal. I am guessing my ETM's days are outnumbered? If I get a ETM, I get the XeMODeX unit right? Just plug and play from what I read.

On a side note, would a faulty thermostat cause this? The thermostat started to go too. I'm pretty sure it isn't the battery because we just replaced the battery last year. Of course, I would never know unless I get it tested.

Post by **mikealder** » 20 Sep 2014, 06:50

Release the ETM from the inlet manifold and clean it out with a rag soaked in carb cleaner, don't spray the carb cleaner directly in to the ETM as it can get past the spindle seals and ruin it internally, first stage is always go for a clean out as carbon build up inside the ETM air tract can make it stick leading to poor idle/ rev dropping - Cheaper than a replacement so worth a try - Mike

geokilla · Post by **geokilla** » 20 Sep 2014, 08:10

mikealder wrote:Release the ETM from the inlet manifold and clean it out with a rag soaked in carb cleaner, don't spray the carb cleaner directly in to the ETM as it can get past the spindle seals and ruin it internally, first stage is always go for a clean out as carbon build up inside the ETM air tract can make it stick leading to poor idle/ rev dropping - Cheaper than a replacement so worth a try - Mike

I cleaned it last year and drove maybe 12k km at most since then. Time for a clean already? Will try that though!

It was already ruined when a shop sprayed the carb cleaner directly onto the ETM last time. And probably the time before that. Never noticed it till then.

geokilla · Post by **geokilla** » 23 Sep 2014, 08:54

I just cleaned the ETM using a dry cloth. Put everything back together and started the car. It's starts like normally, then it immediately stalls. I took the hoses apart and then put it back together, tried again. Still stalling. This is not good...

Edit: Took everything apart and put it all back together, including tightening the clamps this time. Car starts and doesn't stall immediately. But it will jerk and engine RPM will fluctuate heavily, with the reading lights coming in and out. Either I screwed something up or I killed the ETM. Help?