90 Tracker died, burning smell in dash, won't run now...

[fixkick]

ok my idea is this.
edited.
both VIA's must work, (via's are called plated through holes, by PCB lay out guys ,. me in old days)
the bottom VIA on yours , is not floating in the upper atmosphere, a cloud of copper metal . see white circle at bottom.

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the top my be hopeless, but bottom can be fixed, i can say how, ask.

the worry is all that carbon, deep

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warning 2
the PCB (that boaRD) Is multilayer board, and if that carbon seen there, wrecked the center layers, its hopeless, many do that. and become spare parts.
for the more healthy ECUs.

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if was mine, id be looking for a spare 60a.

[GeoCacher90]

I desoldered the one capacitor lead that remained, and removed the cap. I cleaned with a soft brush and isopropyl, but I'm not happy with what's left. I think it's beyond repair. There are traces hanging off, and I caan't tell what went where. Way worse than the bottom. I guess it's time for a new (old) ECU

[fixkick]

cropped

both VIA's are wrecked gone, to fix this take great skill,, or impossible
i think there are middle layers that will end up dead , no matter

i drill , both holes, to #60 drill size and ran a very tiny wire through top to bottom (soldered down both ends , ) on one car, only the + pin bad. (mine the ground was ok)
and then put in a new cap, it shares same holes, there are 4 actual connections, top and bottom not counting the white paint photos above and below.
and it worked. but is pure luck, considering the middle layers not making a connect.

[GeoCacher90]

I forgot to mention, the ECMfuse is indeed 15A. I guess a fuse can't protect against everything... Such a shame.

[fixkick]

Plus pin is C38 marked pad. i think.
the white is missing traces.
and pad
and via
all now in the cloud. (real) smoke cloud.

carbon is whole other matter as carbon conducts very well. like carbon resistors do.

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yes , the acid leaked out
and soaked the board then you hit a bump
the cap now is just aluminum shells in side and vibration causes them to touch and BURN.
like car Cigarette light, glows.
and the heat, turn epoxy preg, fiber glass to pure carbon. many many are the same.
acid +epoxy + heat and it burns. (smolders is a better word)
the burn rate is limited, by the board chem ,FR4 rated,, no fire, but will burn and make carbon, and lots of smoke. the good thing, is it does not spread fire.

[GeoCacher90]

IIt was certainly a bumpy gravel road when the breakdown occurred. Makes sense. Total middle of nowhere too.

I'm certainly glad it didn't spread. I turned off a/c, ignition immediately b/c I thought there was a fire developing under the dash. Luckily (?) it was inside the ECM the whole time.

I've been calling around trying to find an ECM for cheap, to no avail yet. If Icould find a good one cheap, I'd change the capacitors in it and save money. Otherwise, I guess I'll buy the Cardone, but it's $300!

Thanks again for all your help and insight!

Wes

[fixkick]

they are sold on ebay, used and refurb'd
or from cardone.

http://www.cardone.com/find-parts/vehicl...&year=1990
see those PN
then search the web for those numbers, and land on autostored. all over.
cardone does not sell direct. (but do R&R direct ,a service)