ECS question

[hotGTO]

I just got a 91 stealth TT, and I can't tell if the ECS works or not.. What is the easiest way to tell if it is functional? Thanks!

Edit: Adding the words Electronically Controlled Suspension to this thread for the search function to pick it up better... lol

[Valhallaz]

If the indicator switches when you change modes, it's prolly working.

[akotten]

On my 91 Stealth, if I turn on the key all the way without starting it, I can switch between the two settings (tour/sport) and actually hear the struts adjusting. Also, while driving driving it should be a night and day difference. Sport mode is a Way more stiff ride.

[Nationalmilkman]

Turn it off and "bounce" the car then turn it on and do the same. If the struts are working each corner with not want to "bounce", it will be really stiff. If you change from sport mode to tour mode and there is no differance then there is something not right.

[hotGTO]

Thanks, the indicator light does work, but I don't feel any driving difference.. I'm thinking a previous owner probably put non ECS shocks on... I will to the sound and bounce test just to make sure... Is it easy to return it to stock? thanks!

[Nationalmilkman]

There are also caps on each strut. Those fit into a small slot in the top of the strut and that changes the valving in the strut for sack mode. Non-ECS struts do not have this slot.

[hotGTO]

There are also caps on each strut. Those fit into a small slot in the top of the strut and that changes the valving in the strut for sack mode. Non-ECS struts do not have this slot.

Great answer, I know I have no caps on my struts, so does anyone know what would need to be done to replace aftermarket struts with stock ECS struts? Do I just order new struts and caps from the dealer and what would I need to wire or plug in to get them to work?

Meanwhile, I will look in the box of spare parts I got with the car and see if anything ECS related is in there tomorrow... Thanks again

[Nationalmilkman]

I have all the caps if you want. There is plugs that are close to the caps in front and under the acces panels in the rear. Just swap in ECS struts, bolt the caps on, plug in , and have fun.

[hotGTO]

How much for the caps?

[Nationalmilkman]

I would like someone to confirm it too, but I am pretty sure the Gen1 will work on a Gen2 car. I have a '92 R/T and if I remember right all the ECS caps where the same for all years that had it.

[hotGTO]

Mine is a 91 RT/TT

[blindmist]

If you don't have the caps on, the ECS light will blink.

If your ECS isn't blinking, it is functioning.

[hotGTO]

This is the only image I have right now, I will take a better pic at lunch... PO states that the caps were only removed to install the strut bar and he does not know if they will fit, but might be able to be mounted on top of the strut bar. He says they may be original struts since he has never replaced them. I assume the rear caps are still on since I have that info. as I said, in sport mode I have no dash light on and in tour mode I have a "tour" light on the dash. I will go take more pics here in a few...
http://i34.tinypic.com/16m0xm1.jpg

[jba3]

I don't see the wiring harness that goes to the strut tops, either. See here:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t8/jba3/3000gt/cc_delete/P1010001.jpg

There's a wiring harness that goes to the black cover. My guess is that your light doesnt blink because they unhooked the ECS control module. IIRC, it's behind some of the plastic in the hatch area ... it got moved on the spyder, and I can never remember which is which....

[Nationalmilkman]

If you take the caps off the white part will be there. Non-ECS front struts have a black "button" there, not the white piece. Those are ECS struts and the control module is in back passenger side. You have to take out the trunk tray to get to the panel.

[blindmist]

I am amazed that you don't get a blinking light. If any of the 4 caps are not working, ECS should be blinking. Hmmm. Interesting.

[blindmist]

Thats the part that keeps buggin me, I'm trying to figure out why his lights are working as they should, they should be blinking. Maybe ECS computer is bad as well.

This is what I am thinking. I busted out my schematics for this car and the diagnostics and what not, ECS should be blinking if it see's the SLIGHTEST bit of error. It will even blink if it thinks that its gone down too far on the strut.

[mike92stealthtt]

If the capacitors aren't bad in your ecs computer by now I'd call yourself extremely lucky. Take that sucker out and look at the board. May as well look at your ecu board too.

Both of mine were bad a few years ago, and mines a 92.

[hotGTO]

Well, the battery died today, so I had to take the strut bar off to get the battery out... I left the strut bar off for now, and put the caps back on and plugged them in... The light on the dash still works the same, but I still have not verified if it functions to change the valving in the shocks or not...

[hotGTO]

Looks like everything works, I definitely see the difference... tour mode takes raised seems in the road better IMO, but I feel like the suspension itself is noisier in tour mode for some reason and since sport mode rides really soft anyway, I will stick to sport for the most part...

[skater334]

Glad to see you got it working, I hate when batteries die lol. Also, if you ever get lowering springs, say good-bye to your ECS since the spring puts it down lower than the stock height. Your tour/sport light will blink non-stop even on OEM struts. If you wanna learn more about the ECS system download the manual for the 91 from here and read, it's really helpful.

http://www.stealth316.com/1-tech.htm

[thestealth]

Also, if you ever get lowering springs, say good-bye to your ECS since the spring puts it down lower than the stock height. Your tour/sport light will blink non-stop even on OEM struts.

Since when?

[mike92stealthtt]

Glad to see you got it working, I hate when batteries die lol. Also, if you ever get lowering springs, say good-bye to your ECS since the spring puts it down lower than the stock height. Your tour/sport light will blink non-stop even on OEM struts. If you wanna learn more about the ECS system download the manual for the 91 from here and read, it's really helpful.

http://www.stealth316.com/1-tech.htm

My ECS struts work fine with my Tein S-techs.

[skater334]

Mine didn't and I had Intrax on.