Been searching and reading for the last couple of hours.

I recently picked up a 1992 Suzuki samurai with a 1.3 EFI motor. Ive only had it for a few weeks and havn't ran it much. Gave it some fresh gas and drove it around the block a few times. It didn't run bad for something that has been sitting for a while. It studdered a few times, but nothing to cause alarm. Jumped in it today and started it up. Started fine but shut down after about 20 seconds at idle and wouldn't restart.

It has spark and will run if a little gas is poured into the throttle body but shuts down after it burns up.
I have fuel going into the throttle body and to the injector (pulled the line and the injector cover and turned the ignition on).

Questions:
1) where should I look first to diagnose the problem?
2) Simple way to test the injector that will not burn up the injector and ECM (I'm not good when it comes to electrical)?
3) Any fuses to check?
4) What are the typical symptoms of a bad ECM?
5) Any advise?

I don't know if this applies to the EFI Samurais, but on the TBI Sidekicks, there's a "noise surpressor" that provides ignition feedback to the ECU, and if it fails, the symptoms are exactly as you have described.

Check your fuse box, see if there is a space for a diagnostic fuse -insert a fuse and switch the ignition on, you should be able to get the ECU to flash the check engine light - a 12 means no problems detected, next crank the engine and see if the code changes to a 41 or 42

http://www2.izook.com/?page_id=232

1)  ECM.  The easiest/best way to do it, is to swap in a known good ECM.  But unfortunately, most people don't have access to another ECM.
2)  You can rent/borrow noid light testers from an auto parts store.  That should tell you if the injector is getting a signal from the ECM to fire.
3)  You can check all the fuses.  Just pull them all and put a meter across them and make sure they all have continuity (or you can just look at them....although, occasionally a fuse will be burnt in two and you won't be able to see it).  Another way to check the fuses is to use a test light and with the key on all fuses should have power on both sides of them.
4)  Injector not firing.  Fuel pump not running.  No spark to spark plugs.  Any/all of those symptoms can indicate a bad ECM.
5)  The capacitors in the ECM should be replaced, whether or not they are bad now.  Because if they aren't bad and causing the no start issue now, they more than likely will eventually.  There are a couple of guys on zuwharrie.com that can rebuild the ECMs very cheaply, compared to other places and do good work.  Their usernames are Surly and Redidbull.  Look them up, if you can't replace the caps yourself.

Thanks for the help guys.

I got the impression that no spark or no fuel pump was a sign of the ECM, but I was unsure about the injector since I still had spark and the fuel pump is running. I didn't know if a bad injector was a common problem or not. I do have an extra ECM, but it's condition is unknown. I'll throw it in and see what happens. If it doesn't help I'm just back where I started since I don't know the condition.


I allso have a buddy with a EFI 1.3 that I may be able to borrow the ECM out of.


I'm just hesitant to put too much money into the 1.3. If I'm gona throw money at it, Id rather swap to a 1.6.

Great.  Since it sounds like you have a buddy with a known good ECM, you can swap that in and quickly determine if your ECM(s) is bad.  The only difference in EFI samurai ECMs are that the 94-95 and cali models are looking for a couple of extra sensors.  So if you use a 94-95 or cali ECM in a 90-93 non-cali samurai, the CEL will light up, but they will start and run the engines just fine.
Probably a good choice on swapping to a 1.6., if the 1.3 is gonna cost much money to get going.

Just hooked up the extra ECM with no luck (not surprised). Pulled the original and opened the case to check out the board. Looks like one of the dohickies (diod, resistor, transistor, Capasitor... whatever they are) (it's a tall black on in the one corner) is corroded and there is some leakage or something around it.

I'm gona look into getting the ECM fixed since it sounds like it needs done regardless plus after looking at it, it appears to be a safe bet.

Heres a few pictures of the noticable damage.






This is the back side, directly behind. It's the only spot on the entire back side that is collecting dust.

That is a capacitor.  That is one of the ones that usually leak and damage the board, making the engine not run.  The capacitors all need to be replaced (there are 4 of them...the one in the corner and 3 more over between the connectors, towards the center of the board).  But once they are replaced and any damaged traces on the board fixed, it should be good as new and not cause anymore issues.

I just messaged Surly and Redidbull about repairing the ECM. Hope one of them are interested in doing the job.


The extra ECM actually appears to be in OK condition (nothing as obvious as this one).

I just messaged Surly and Redidbull about repairing the ECM. Hope one of them are interested in doing the job.


The extra ECM actually appears to be in OK condition (nothing as obvious as this one).

One of them should be willing to fix it.  They have tackled jobs like this before.
The capacitors can be leaking, or not working, and look perfectly fine.  I have had a few ECMs that look perfectly fine, but didn't work....but after getting the caps replaced and having the traces checked/fixed, they work good as new.  IMO, if you are gonna send one ECM out to get fixed, you might as well send both.  They will both fit in a single flat rate box ($10).

I'm considering getting both fixed. The price will be the determining factor.

I'm considering getting both fixed. The price will be the determining factor.

Yeah, you'll just have to wait for them to get back with you.  IDK what they charge for sure, but I do know it is less than the big places that do ECMs all the time.  And they will do just as good of a job.

Thanks agian for the help. I'm making arrangments to get them fixed now.