Rep Power: 0

When I start my car the fuel pump relay will tick every 3 seconds for about 30 seconds. When it ticks the tachometer gauge goes up with every tick and back to zero again (losing power?). Trying to drive in those 30 seconds jerks the car presumably because the fuel is being pumped incorrectly. After the 30 seconds is up the rpm gauge and temp gauge quit working. When in 5th gear the car tops at 58mph is it shorted out? I've already changed the fuel pump. It did help it perform a little bit better, but did not fix the problem. Please Help!!

 
Rep Power: 174

How's the filter look? The fuse?

 
Rep Power: 0

It not a normal filter it should be fine though..all the other fuses dont look blown. the relay gets really hot though

 
Rep Power: 518

Relays get can hot, that's normal.

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Was a timing belt or belt set done recently? Alternator?
Other gauges or lights acting funny?
Does the PCM communicate with a scanner?

Make sure all of the alternator mounting bolts are tight.

 
Rep Power: 0

Yes the alternator was tested bad.. took it out and found out that some wires had corroded and broke off when we took out the alternator. we cleaned the wire and fixed it had it tested and it was fine.. although the serpentine belt was squealing so my cousin had it checked and the mechanic realigned it. the only other thing acting funny is the temperature gauge which quits working when the tachometer does (simultaneously). How would I check the PCM?

 
Rep Power: 518

Make sure all of the alternator mounting bolts are tight.
Make sure all of the alternator mounting bolts are tight.
Make sure all of the alternator mounting bolts are tight.

 
Rep Power: 0

D_S, the alternator's ground is through its mounting bolts. If they aren't tight and providing solid path to ground... it can kill your PCM. The symptoms of that are the ones you're experiencing now.

So, go and check the bolts, and check back with us.

 
Rep Power: 0

checked the ground connection to the bolt and it has a solid connection. Is it possible there is a short in the PCM and why would the fuel pump relay tick like it is?

 
Rep Power: 518

How'd you do that?

 
Rep Power: 0

I thought it was a ground wire the bolts onto the alternator itself or is it all of the bolts?

 
Rep Power: 518

There is no such "ground wire" on the alternator.
If you want to chase a "ground wire", follow the neg battery cable to the trans and body, and the other ground straps between the body and engine. Disassemble, clean off all corrosion from terminal, mounting point, and bolt, then reassemble. Repeat for all.

To avoid sounding like an azzhole, I'll just repost these replies AGAIN for you:

 
Rep Power: 0

All the bolts are fine is it possible that the pcm might be bad?

 
Rep Power: 518

Yes or no.
It sounds like the PCM has a chance of still being good, seeing as how you make it sound like it still works correctly part of the time.

If the PCM is really still good and you can find and fix the true cause of the problem, the PCM has a good chance of living a long healthy natural lifetime.

HOWEVER

If you can't find and fix the root cause of this problem, then you are doomed to burn up the PCM. And every replacement PCM, until you DO find and fix the root cause of the problem.



These PCMs are not a big problem area by themselves, they seem to mostly fail only after someone leaves the alternator bolts loose or a ground cable fails. The problem you have is VERY COMMON after someone leaves the alternator bolts loose.

This is so damn common there is even a service bulletin about it.


PCMs are not cheap, and each PCM has to be programmed for the immobilizer keys before the engine can start, which usually means a tow to the dealer.