Re: California emission mods, ICU troubles, 89 100

[Steve Manning <stephenm@ix.netcom.com>]

David - I don't know if I can answer all your questions, but I have a few ideas:

o You have 2 computers; one for ignition and one for fuel.  They MUST match!
Not only for correct model year, but for CA/non-CA.  If they don't, you
could have all sorts of weird problems.  Found out from personal experience.
Pull both computers, pull out the Bentley, and check to make sure you have
the right ones.  The part numbers are in the Bentley.

o As for CA/non-CA, the big differences in the '88-'90 model years are
additional error codes, and the CA units keep the emission-related error
codes in memory (they are not deleted when the ignition is turned off).  I
am not aware of any timing/performance implications, but there could be some
(this was mainly an issue in the '70's and early '80's).  

Just from personal observation, a lot of the cars '88-'91 Audi's seem to be
CA cars even though they were not sold there....maybe it was just easier to
build them one way?

SLM

P.S.  Are you sure you are having problems w/the ignition computer?  They
are very rare; most turn out to be wiring into or out of the computer.
Computers are also very expensive....don't want to second-guess you but just
a word of caution.  Try to swap w/a friend or something first to make sure
computer is the problem.

At 03:11 PM 8/12/96 -0400, David Conner wrote:
>What are the differences between cars sold in CA and those shipped to the
>other States?
>I have two similar cars, w/ the same engine, etc. but discovered the 89 100
>non-turbo is a California car.
>It never had the same feel in driving it as the 87 5KS...less pep overall.  
>I'm having trouble with the Ignition computer (ICU) in the CA car and in
>checking the part number for a replacement, Linda @ Carlsen tells me it is a
>CA part, therefore a CA car.
> All the local dealer could tell me was that the car has an ICU for the
>wrong model year in it.  
>It's not clear exactly what the problem is with this ICU, but it seems to
>have the timing way off.
>Can I simply put an "other 49 states" ICU in the car, or would this create
>problems?  It would be much easier to find a used one if I could go this route.
>What would the differences be w/ the CA ICU?
>Does IA (Ned Ritchie) sell modified ICU's or do they take the one out of
>your car and modify it? 
>Would they be able to diagnose/repair and hopefully improve the
>malfunctioning unit, as an alternative to replacing it with an "other 49
>states" version to get even better performance?
>Thanks for any help in understanding how all this works.
>bye,
>
> 
>David Conner  Columbus, OH   614-847-1268
>'87 5KS,  '89 100
>

Steve Manning:	stephenm@ix.netcom.com (Metro D.C. area, USA)
	Mopar:	'67 & '68 Plymouth Furys (big blocks)
		'70 Barracuda convertible (small block)
		'87 GLHS (tiny block)
	Audi:	Two '88 90Q's (built on the same day)
	Misc:	'73 Ford Country Squire wagon (daily driver!); other stuff...