EVIC weirdness

[LTrain01RT]

I noticed today that the temperature display on the EVIC would keep displaying "71" (the ambient temp) and then "0". It also did this on the average MPG screen - flashing the average MPG and then zero. I was thinking loose connection somewhere, but all is secure at the fuse panel.

I'm gonna take it down tomorrow and check the connections on the EVIC itself, but I don't see how they could have come loose.

If those are secure, any ideas on what could be going on?

[IS300M]

definitely sounds like a loose connection somewhere, maybe a loose ground?

[LTrain01RT]

That was fast... I'm gonna be checking the connections on the brain tomorrow. Hopefully it is just something loose there.

[Treppenwolf]

Frank, before you take it down, you might want to do an EVIC self test, especially if you can catch it reading zero. I'm sure you know how, but if not just let me know.

[LTrain01RT]

Well John, I'm not sure how to do an EVIC self-test.... let me do some searching and if I can't find it then I'll get back to you.

It doesn't stay on 0 degrees for a while.... just for a second or so, and then it will show the current temp for maybe 4 or 5 seconds and then flash the 0 again.

[Dodgaholic]

Frank, before you take it down, you might want to do an EVIC self test, especially if you can catch it reading zero. I'm sure you know how, but if not just let me know.

Don't hold out on the rest of us tards John! I have no idea how to do a self test. I can't be the only one :bigear:

[LTrain01RT]

Don't hold out on the rest of us tards John! I have no idea how to do a self test. I can't be the only one :bigear:


http://www.wjjeeps.com/evic.htm#TEST

BAM!

[Dodgaholic]

Sweet, (adds to personal knowledge base) did you test yours?

[LTrain01RT]

Not yet, I just found that and I'm far too lazy to go outside and test it now. I'll do it in the morning.

[Dodgaholic]

lazy bum :)

[LTrain01RT]

Hey now... I'm on the couch and quite comfortable - and the car is all the way outside, and it's locked too and I'm not about to mess with that mess, lol.

[Treppenwolf]

I'm thinkin' maybe I should start a thread and list all of the EVIC info that I have stored in my EVIC folder. Maybe I'll do that while you all are munching turkey and dressing tomorrow. (And Ronbo is eating Chicken Mcnuggets and I have finished my Ramen noodles)

EVIC test modes
Self test mode:

1. Ignition off
2. Press and hold both the C/T and Reset buttons
3. Turn ignition to "On"
4. Release buttons after you see the software revision appear on the display

5. Following completion of these tests, the EVIC will display one of the following messages:

Pass Self Test
Momentarily depress the Reset button to return to the compass/computer display mode. The EVIC is
working properly.

Failed Self Test
The EVIC module has a failure. The EVIC module is faulty and must replaced.

Not Receiving J1850 Message
The EVIC is not receiving proper message input from the PCI data bus. This can result from one
more faulty electronic modules in the vehicle, or a faulty PCI data bus. The use of a DRB scan
and the proper Diagnostic Procedures manual required for further diagnosis.


Anyway, now that you have the test procedures:
If it reads Pass Self test, I would guess that your BCM is sending faulty Info.
If it Reads Failed self test, I would guess the EVIC is not properly intrepting data sent from BCM.
If It reads Not receiving Message, I would guess that you have a bad connection somewhere in the purple wire (With Yellow tracer) However, if that is the case, instead of reading 0 degrees F, it would read (blank) degrees F.

[Dodgaholic]

just getting my RDA of ball bustin in Frank :)

[Unreal]

Interesting find - I wasn't aware of this test either.

[I275westcoastflorida]

^^Same, good to know.

[LTrain01RT]

Ok, just did the self test - first time I did it it said failed self test, and then I did it again and it said passed self test, and then I did it a third time and it said failed self test - so 2 fails and 1 pass, lol.

Does this mean I need a new EVIC brain?

[Dodgaholic]

You may have just done the tests as it was cycling from the working/not working modes it's going through. Is the temp reading different today than it was yesterday? If so, it means it is getting updated information, between the blanking out. Is the compass working correctly? Same thing if so. Try pulling the plug for a while and see if it comes back the same way.

[LTrain01RT]

It does get updated information... The car is facing north right now and the compass states so, and yesterday when I first started out on my way to your place it read 71 degrees and then switched back to 0. The DTE screen, elapsed time, and trip miles screen all stay constant... it is only the AVG MPG and temp that flash from their value to 0. I forgot to check the IMPG.

I'll go unplug it now and let it sit for a little bit and then go plug it in later.

[Dodgaholic]

That's pretty weird. I wonder if the two flashing functions are dependent on the same bit setting or circuit.

[Treppenwolf]

To be clear, the Average MPG and the temp are intermittently reverting to 0 and are not just reverting to (blank) Average MPG and (blank) degrees F?

[LTrain01RT]

Yes John, they revert to 0, not blank or --

[Treppenwolf]

Yes John, they revert to 0, not blank or --
Bummer! Depending on how much time you want to spend on it, there are a couple of things to try before making a decision. The most obvious would be to temporarily swap out the module. If the symptoms persist, The problem could be the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data bus network. If all is working well, that would point to a faulty module. (which the failed self test messages kind of indicate anyway). I have a spare module you can borrow if you would like.
You can also pull the module and if you can come up with a spare module connector, power up the module without the wire to the PCI Bus connected. Then you could do the self test again, and your results should be consistant and conclusive. Also, you could clean the four switches. That has solved problems for me on a couple of occasions.
Don't know if any of what I just typed will be helpful.:wacko:

[SilverSpecial6.1]

When my 97 ES's temp sensor was going bad, the OTIS would randomly display 71 for the temp, no matter what... and when the sensor finally kicked the bucket, it constantly displayed 71... Check that too, its behind the front bumper

[LTrain01RT]

I don't think it is the temperature sensor - it still reads the correct temp (as in the temp isn't stuck on one reading), but it just flashes to 0. I have it unplugged right now... I'm gonna plug it in after I eat dinner and see how that goes.