what else to check before putting in new ecc

[mustang_montana]

im gonna put in my new computer soon as i get the right fuses for the inline fuse holders in the engine bay, but i dont want to fry this computer. the old one went when i jumped the battery and blew a couple fuse links, i need some suggestions as to what else i should check out before reinstalling the ecc. should i be checking the amps to the computer on the connector?

its an 84 2.3 btw

 

[jrichker]

Make sure the computer power ground is connected and the area it
bolts to is clean & shiny. The computer has its own dedicated power
ground that comes off the ground pigtail on the battery ground wire.
Due to it's proximity to the battery, it may become corroded by acid
fumes from the battery. It is a black cylinder about 2 1/2" long
by 1" diameter with a black/lt green wire. You'll find it up next to
the starter solenoid where the wire goes into the wiring harness.


Picture courtesy timewarped1972

 

[AZNEAL311]

What about putting in a fuse on the computer power? If you are grounded out some where it might save you a new comp. I would check with jrichker first. This was just a suggestion. If you are worried about blowing the new computer. I would ask around before you go cutting wires. As I said before I am sure jrichker would be able to help out.

 

[mustang_montana]

ill definetly clean up the grounds, thanks a lot. im also curious if there is a fuse for the battery power. most cars have a mega fuse off the alternator but i cant find anything like that on mine. on the new ecc casing it warns against not having enough ohms, i believe it said anything below 20 could cause it to fry again. im not sure where to check or what the procedure is with the multimeter, any imput?

 

[jrichker]

The stock alternator has a fuse link in the wiring on 86-93 cars. I suspect that your 84 is the same.

As for the ohms for a ground, the fewer ohms on a ground, the better it is working. Between the computer power ground and the negative terminal of the battery, you should see less than 1.5 ohms with the postive terminal of the battery disconnected. Disconnecting the battery positive terminal keeps the voltage drop across the wiring from affecting the ohmmeter readings. Just don't short the positive side of the battery to ground when you remove the cable. The results would definitely complicate your current problems.