This is where the BIN Hackers and definition junkies discuss the inner workings of the EEC code and hardware. General tuning questions do not go here. Only technical/hardware-specific/code questions and discussions belong here.

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Milehighxr
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Need def files for Festiva, Merkur, and a few others

Post by Milehighxr » Mon Jun 28, 2010 10:19 am

I have 3-4 EEC-IVs that need hacked. I do not believe anyone has hacked these particular units before. So where do I go to get working info for them(bins def files etc...). As an example we'll just say I looking to tune a 1989 Ford Festiva, yeah that's it :wink:

If someone here can help me, PM me, and I will send you my e-mail so we can discuss. TIA

decipha

Re: I hope this is the right spot

Post by decipha » Mon Jun 28, 2010 9:27 pm

just swap the computer, don't waste your time with the older ecu if its not well supported, kinda pointless when there's millions of highly supported ecu's rotting away in pull-a-parts around the nation

I bought an ecu and the complete engine harness for $35 at my local yard, yanked it from a 98 mustang gt vert, didn't even have a need for it, just seen it there and decided why not

i recommend you do the same, its much easier to swap ecu's than you might think.

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Re: I hope this is the right spot

Post by Milehighxr » Mon Jun 28, 2010 9:35 pm

Out here ECUs are about $100.00 a pop. Too high IMO since I plan on tuning it anyhow. I also do not know just yet what will happen to other features of this vehicle if I pull the ECU, and MS it or something(which is still more expensive than finding files methinks). Swapping ECUs is not an option at this time. Maybe in 2yrs... In the meantime, who creates these bins and def files? I mean someone had to be the first to crack an A9L :roll: so who's gonna help me here?

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Re: I hope this is the right spot

Post by cgrey8 » Tue Jun 29, 2010 5:23 am

Sailorbob (Derek) or Popsracing (Adam) are the resident BIN hackers that do the most of this. Adam may already have your strat broken out. Post up your EEC's catch codes and see if either chime in.
...Always Somethin'

89 Ranger Supercab, 331 w/GT40p heads, ported Explorer lower, Crane Powermax 2020 cam, FMS Explorer (GT40p) headers, aftermarket T5 'Z-Spec', GUFB, Moates QuarterHorse tuned using BE&EA

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Re: I hope this is the right spot

Post by mpaton » Tue Jun 29, 2010 9:59 am

cgrey8 wrote:Sailorbob (Derek) or Popsracing (Adam) are the resident BIN hackers that do the most of this. Adam may already have your strat broken out. Post up your EEC's catch codes and see if either chime in.
You need to understand that for a BIN that has no existing DEF file, it' going to take a skilled experienced person HUNDREDS of hours of work to find the addresses in the BIN that are required for the DEF. Then probably another 20 or 30 after that to make a DEF file and validate that it works.

That's why there are so few existing DEFs, and that's why new DEFS now cost money. People capable of this could be making upwards of $60/hour at their day job.

So if you think $100 for an ECU is too much, think about how many $$$$ are in a DEF if someone offers you one.

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Re: I hope this is the right spot

Post by cgrey8 » Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:19 am

MP, I think you meant to quote him, not me. But I agree with your sentiment. It is quite valid...

That doesn't mean he should replace his existing EEC(s). It just means that finding support for an EEC that doesn't already have support is going to be tough. If it doesn't have support yet, there's probably a reason for that...little demand for it. Thus the hours it would take to decipher, decode, and develop a def file for are simply not worth it to the people that have the skill, desire, and time to do it.

And BTW, you can generally get rebuilt EECs from AutoZone/Advance for $100 that include a warranty. At least that's what I recall that the GUFx EECs sell for. Perhaps the newer EECs cost more? I couldn't say...
...Always Somethin'

89 Ranger Supercab, 331 w/GT40p heads, ported Explorer lower, Crane Powermax 2020 cam, FMS Explorer (GT40p) headers, aftermarket T5 'Z-Spec', GUFB, Moates QuarterHorse tuned using BE&EA

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Milehighxr
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Re: Need def files for an 89 Festiva and a few others

Post by Milehighxr » Tue Jun 29, 2010 5:23 pm

Thank you, finally someone that explains what it takes. Much better answers. Now, is this something a reasonably smart person can do with the right hardware software, or is this pretty limited to the 2 above mentioned folks?

My EECs:

8GHC P/N 88GB-12A650-HC Merkur Scorpio(can't remember if AT or manual

8GHB P/N 88GB-12A650-HB previous rev of above?

the really interesting, I have 2 of these:

XF-286334

One of which has handwritten labels stating:

EEC-IV EFI TC6A

1/20/87

Design Lev DEV PWB668

knock resistors= 6.34k

VSS for Merkur

I believe these are for 2.3 turbo Merkur XR4Ti I know someone else that has one of these, and he said his car ran like poop when he plugged it in. I assume( :shock: ) that it is because it requires the big VAM, and it is similar to the 88 TC.

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Re: Need def files for an 89 Festiva and a few others

Post by cgrey8 » Tue Jun 29, 2010 5:33 pm

With time and effort, I would say a reasonably smart person can do it. But a reasonably patient person would not. It takes a LOT of patience to learn all the caveats of the EEC's processor, what asssembly language is, how it all works, and then learn Ford's annoying programming style that defies "typical" assembly programming and thus makes it very difficult to reverse-engineer (disassemble) the machine code back into somewhat readable assembly.

Then once you understand how to read the code and what pieces are what, then you have to develop the def file which points BinaryEditor at those locations in the machine code, then translates those values into values that make sense to humans as well as putting words (PID name, display name, comments, units, etc) to the raw value(s) you located in the code.

If it sounds complicated and hard, it's even harder. It's not rocket science. There is logic to the madness. But there's one hell of a steep learning curve just to get started. And the learning curve continues for some time.
...Always Somethin'

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decipha

Re: Need def files for an 89 Festiva and a few others

Post by decipha » Tue Jun 29, 2010 7:04 pm

got you some good info

since im such a nice guy i decided to research this and this is what i've concluded

the ecu is batch fire, injectors 1&2 are wired in parallel then 3&4 are tied together.

you can very easily swap ecu's but the stock injectors are 36# low impedance, and you need 14ohm injectors for the newer ecu's

you'll need to break the two injectors apart and use 4 outputs, you just need to run 2 more wires and splice it in

you'll need to change:
tables
injector output port, injector firing order

scalars
cid, signature pip dif, pips per rev, num cyl

you'll need to max out the pip min test rpm so the ecu doesn't check for the idm since it probably won't be present.. just a guess, it might be

The merkur uses a an external TFI module better known as the DIS module, which is the same as the distributor mounted TFI only that its external so your all good there.

if using a cbaza ecu, you'll also need to adjust the ingition type scalar to "non ccd distributor" since the older tfi modules are not computer control dwell.

the gufx ecu's or the cbaza ecu's will work, only minimal changes need to be made, this is the notes i just wrote down comparing all 3 ecu wiring harnesses (87 merkur, 91 fox, sn95)

1 pwr
7 ect
10 a/c
16 ign gnd
17 test
20 gnd
21 iac
22 fp
//23 knock - can't use
25 iat
26 ref
-29 hego (RH gufx moved on cbaza)
30 nps
>32 boost solenoid (am1 gufx:high speed fan cbaza)
//35 egr (need to move if keeping it)
36 spout
37 pwr
40 ground
//43 vane (needs to be cut) pin 43 is left hego on gufx & cbaza
45 bap
46 sig ret
47 tps
48 test
-49 hego gnd (same for gufx, ground hego to battery on cbaza)
54 wot cutout
56 pip
57 pwr
58 1 & 2 inj
59 3 & 4 inj
60 ground


if keeping the egr you'll need to move the egr pin

Milehighxr
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Re: Need def files for an 89 Festiva and a few others

Post by Milehighxr » Tue Jun 29, 2010 7:36 pm

So that's for the Festiva eh? I ask ed for that one just to get peeps attention. I listed the ones I need in post number 7.

decipha

Re: Need def files for an 89 Festiva and a few others

Post by decipha » Tue Jun 29, 2010 7:49 pm

what i posted was for the 87 merkur i misread your post and i thought thats what you had

disregard my previous post

Milehighxr
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Re: Need def files for an 89 Festiva and a few others

Post by Milehighxr » Tue Jun 29, 2010 9:04 pm

87 XR is easy, I know where to go for that one. It's those oh so special ones I'm after, especially the Scorpio.

decipha

Re: Need def files for an 89 Festiva and a few others

Post by decipha » Tue Jun 29, 2010 9:23 pm

don't let me derail you, keep going after it

for I have not a clue

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Re: Need def files for an 89 Festiva and a few others

Post by 86GT » Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:24 pm

I have a ton of pin charts but the Festiva is one i do not have. I have most of them in a book called:

Technician Handbook Series
Ford EEC Systems
OBD1 & 2 PID Data & Pin Charts for Association & Domestic Cars 1983-1997

This book is very hard to come by, I just happen to find it on Ebay

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Re: Need def files for an 89 Festiva and a few others

Post by Milehighxr » Wed Jun 30, 2010 5:19 pm

Are you referring to the pinout at the harness connector? Cuz I have a Ford Service manual for my Scorpio, with the Emissions section. That gives me all the pinouts, but what I need are bins, and def files so I can use QH or something for tuning it.

I also would not mind figuring out what these XF EECs I have are, so I can sell or use them.

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Re: Need def files for an 89 Festiva and a few others

Post by 86GT » Wed Jun 30, 2010 6:23 pm

The ford motorcraft web site has an excel that gives you a cross reverence to the tear tag on the eec so you can determine what they are for. You can also try typing it in on:

http://www.tweecer.com/ccode/

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Re: Need def files for an 89 Festiva and a few others

Post by Milehighxr » Wed Jun 30, 2010 7:02 pm

Yeah, Scorpio not shown at Tweecer. I doubt anyone has seen these XF EECs outside Ford engineering.

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Re: Need def files for an 89 Festiva and a few others

Post by 86GT » Wed Jun 30, 2010 7:42 pm

It is only 2 digits XF. I have only seen 3 and four

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Re: Need def files for an 89 Festiva and a few others

Post by Milehighxr » Wed Jun 30, 2010 9:12 pm

Milehighxr wrote:Thank you, finally someone that explains what it takes. Much better answers. Now, is this something a reasonably smart person can do with the right hardware software, or is this pretty limited to the 2 above mentioned folks?

My EECs:

8GHC P/N 88GB-12A650-HC Merkur Scorpio(can't remember if AT or manual

8GHB P/N 88GB-12A650-HB previous rev of above?

the really interesting, I have 2 of these:


XF-286334

One of which has handwritten labels stating:

EEC-IV EFI TC6A

1/20/87

Design Lev DEV PWB668

knock resistors= 6.34k

VSS for Merkur

I believe these are for 2.3 turbo Merkur XR4Ti I know someone else that has one of these, and he said his car ran like poop when he plugged it in. I assume( :shock: ) that it is because it requires the big VAM, and it is similar to the 88 TC.

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Re: Need def files for Festiva, Merkur, and a few others

Post by teal95 » Tue Jul 20, 2010 7:41 pm

Many of the early EECs were only 2 digits. The '83/4 TC and Mustang 2.3t were typically TA. The '85.5 and '86 SVOs were PE.

steve
'95 GT - T4M0 x2
'93 notch - A9P
'87 TC - 8UA or LB2 or LA3
'84, '85.5 & '86 SVO - PE
'83 & '84 GT turbo - TA x2

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Re: Need def files for Festiva, Merkur, and a few others

Post by fastsvo » Mon Aug 30, 2010 2:08 pm

Why don't you hit up the 2.3li/Merkur guys ?
1991 GT. Original 57k miles. V1-Strim (3.33 pulley@ 11.5psi) on the stock block and heads, GT-40 intake, 1.7RR (stock cam), JBA shorty headers, 70mm TB, BA 2400 MAF, 42# injectors, GSS-340 in-tank pump + T-rex, MSD 6A, 160 amp 3G alternator, UPR boost pipe, 2.5 BBK catted h-pipe, 2 chamber flowmasters

1986 SVO....another story.

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Re: Need def files for an 89 Festiva and a few others

Post by bradphil » Thu Mar 10, 2011 7:26 pm

Milehighxr wrote:Thank you, finally someone that explains what it takes. Much better answers. Now, is this something a reasonably smart person can do with the right hardware software, or is this pretty limited to the 2 above mentioned folks?

My EECs:

8GHC P/N 88GB-12A650-HC Merkur Scorpio(can't remember if AT or manual

8GHB P/N 88GB-12A650-HB previous rev of above?

the really interesting, I have 2 of these:

XF-286334

One of which has handwritten labels stating:

EEC-IV EFI TC6A

1/20/87

Design Lev DEV PWB668

knock resistors= 6.34k

VSS for Merkur

I believe these are for 2.3 turbo Merkur XR4Ti I know someone else that has one of these, and he said his car ran like poop when he plugged it in. I assume( :shock: ) that it is because it requires the big VAM, and it is similar to the 88 TC.
we do some testing for the Merkur parts. The majority of cars used the stock 5 speed EEC except one and no vehicle was at the limit of the stock EEC (SVO or Merkur XR4Ti). By itself the 5 speed XR4Ti EEC produced a little less HP but more Torque compared to the automatic XR4Ti EEC computer.

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