How do you identify Ford ECu computers? What are the desireable ones?

[natejones75]

I have a salvage yard close that has plenty of mustangs, turbo coupes, merkurs, etc. Here is my question?

I know that certain ECUs are worth more, depending on what they are. I keep hearing these referred to as A9E, L3, A3, etc. How do I identify these? Are there a code on on the ECU that id's these? Will someone give me a list of valuable ECUs and their code? I will pull all I can find.

 

[mustangt93]

i like the A9L computer, imo it is the most aggressive one, i believe it came from a 1989 5spd??? im not sure though

 

[jrichker]

Copied from Steve89GT...

There are a few different varieties of computers... just a few different calibrations.. Here's the #'s of most of the maf
computers that are around. A9L and A9P are the most common.

1988 MANUAL 8LD
1988 AUTO 8LF
1989 MANUAL A9L, A9S
1989 AUTO A9P, A9T
1990-92 MANUAL A9L
1990-92 AUTO A9P
1993 MANUAL A3M
1993 AUTO C3W
1993 COBRA X3Z

The harness itself is what is different.. Most of the computers are interchangeable, although I have never done it.
You can also use an auto computer in a manual... but not a manual comp in an auto..

 

[natejones75]

Does anyone know about the ECUs from turbo 2.3L motors?

Turbo coupes and Merkurs

Copied from Steve89GT...

There are a few different varieties of computers... just a few different calibrations.. Here's the #'s of most of the maf
computers that are around. A9L and A9P are the most common.

1988 MANUAL 8LD
1988 AUTO 8LF
1989 MANUAL A9L, A9S
1989 AUTO A9P, A9T
1990-92 MANUAL A9L
1990-92 AUTO A9P
1993 MANUAL A3M
1993 AUTO C3W
1993 COBRA X3Z

The harness itself is what is different.. Most of the computers are interchangeable, although I have never done it.
You can also use an auto computer in a manual... but not a manual comp in an auto..

 

[Stang6911]

Ive heard that the A9L are the best computers and most aggresive and there are the most sought after computers out there!

 

[donsbad68]

Any A9 computer would be excellent for an agressive degree tune to a certain point.

Dustin

 

[natejones75]

Is there a part number on it somewhere that says A9L?

Is the computer in a 88-93 Mark VII worht anything?

I am looking for desireable ECU's to pull , and resale

 

[Mustang5L5]

Is the computer in a 88-93 Mark VII worht anything?

I am looking for desireable ECU's to pull , and resale

Nope. It's Speed Density anyway.

Desirable ECU's are any Mustang ECU that was for a Mass Air Car. No need to get picky with Codes on them, there is not that much a of a difference between any of them. The A9L is just the most common but the A9P is exactly the same except it's an AOD computer so it won't pull timing between shifts.

 

[Robstang94]

Found this link to be helpful at least for the first 4 characters of the ECU..
http://www.fordification.com/tech/partnumbers_overview.htm
Still looking for a list identifying the last digits.. Ex. DA and C1A.
Thanks...

 

[jAEded]

There should be a barcode sticker located on the gray plastic where the harness plugs in. The numbers should be on the sticker.

 

[mattyv]

Any appreciable difference between A9L and A3M?

 

[mikestang63]

no

 

[jAEded]

I run a A3M in mine but I have a 93 wiring harness and engine.

I have heard of people having problems trying to use that ecu in a pre-93 harness. My understanding is the pinouts on the ecus are all the same for the mass air computers. The difference is how the cars a wired once they get out of the ecu.

I'm copying this from another forum.

87,88 & 89 - plug and play.
1990 is unique to itself.
1991 - mid 1992 - plug and play.
mid 92 - 93 plug and play.

 

[mattyv]

Awesome thanks for the info guys

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[89Saleen215]

I was going this way and purchased a A9L and then my tuner told me it didn't really matter since the tuning software kinda made it pointless...just something to think about.

 

[Ghostrider59]

Have a 90 notch that was converted from manual to Aod,sometimes it wont shift into overdrive.Could it be the computer,dont know if it was swapped.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Have a 90 notch that was converted from manual to Aod,sometimes it wont shift into overdrive.Could it be the computer,dont know if it was swapped.

AOD transmissions are not computer controlled. Not shifting into OD would be an issue with the transmission itself.


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[5.0specialist]

I agree with mustang 5L5. Aod's have zero communication with the ECU. From what I've read on the forums over the years, the A9P's don't have rev limiters and they have a more aggressive timing/fuel curve compared to the A9L to give the auto vehicles a bit more oomph on take-off.

 

[mikestang63]

most likely your OD band is smoked or hopfelly just the TV cable needs adjusting.

 

[Ghostrider59]

Thanks for the info guys,I can always count on this site for good answers.