Good news.

Daryl popped in for us to have a look at a possible steering rack problem on his, but having found there was no problem we decided to spend some time looking at the ECU again.
Long story short, I noticed another capacitor on the top (processor) board had also leaked a little capacitor juice. Not as messy as the other one so I hadn't spotted it. This one had etched away a chunk of track leaving it open circuit. I suspect this was on a power supply line so a chunk of the board wasn't getting power.
I replaced the capacitor and linked across the broken track, tried it in Daryls car and it fired straight up and idled fine (cold). He's now taken it away and will run it for the next week or so as a test.

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If at first you don't suck seed, try drier grain.

Great news, just wondering if it was some kind of surge or ripple effect that caused more than one component to blow at the same time?

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[color=#000080]ST205 WRC 1994
Hybrid turbo
Apexi AVC-R
Apexi Power FC (Not being used ATM)
Apexi Power commander (Not being used ATM)

Bloody great new and hip hip hoorah for Nibbles. I owe you mate (pm me) I'll keep finger crossed
I have already bought the wrong one (2b280) when I need a 2b320 !!! .... any one need one?

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Previously a UK WRC & a CS
Now...a 13/60 cv herald ,a Honda CR-Z and an Amica

Whoop! Lets hope this sorts the problems!

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GT4DC Events Co-ordinator
1996 ST205 UK

Unlikely a surge. The capacitors are rated at 50V so would have blown semicinductors long before the capacitiors. I would suspect they didn't go at the same time either. The one on the bottom may have failed previously but not caused symptoms as no tracks had broken.

I'm also now doubting it's ripple current causing the failure as the one on the processor board would have been unlikely to have large ripple. Since both capacitors were identical, I'm suspecting a problem in the batch.

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If at first you don't suck seed, try drier grain.

Excellent spot

Majic.... I feel Happy. Grumpy is upset and Doc is coming to see him... Bashfull will not look as Sleepy has fallen over and Dopey does not know what to do.... Bless you Sneezy.. achooo



Oh!! P.S. did I mention I now have a 2b280 ECU for sale?...fits the bog standard 185 widebody

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Previously a UK WRC & a CS
Now...a 13/60 cv herald ,a Honda CR-Z and an Amica

Good stuff nibbles you da man !

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ST165 turbo 4WD
ST185 GT-FOUR RC Carlos Sainz Limited Edition 825•5000
ST185 turbo 4WD Carlos Sainz Limited Edition 2541•5000

well i've done nearly 500 miles with your fixed ECU Jeff, all good. it passed my MOT on emissions today as well

fine, hot and cold starting, getting same MPG as my own CS ecu. and no hesitation running to the redline. So its deffo mended fine, I've got it ready to give back to Chris, so he can clean off flux residue and seal the solder joints to stop corrosion.

along with my CS ecu Lewis's RC ecu and now this CS ecu, all three had failed on the 50v 10uF cap doing the idle circuit, Jeffs also had the one on the main cpu board fail. so thats 4 all of the same rating that have failed after many many years.

i actually used a same voltage and size rated cap from my spare ST165 ecu to fix my CS one, so thats even older !!

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Darryl

Great news and thanks Darryl. Now we have a better knowledge base and can be aware for future similar breakdowns. I'm of on my hols on Sat. and will use the ST205 so no rush to get it back. Thanks again to you and Nibbles.

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Previously a UK WRC & a CS
Now...a 13/60 cv herald ,a Honda CR-Z and an Amica

Think I remember Chris saying he's away the whole of this week, I'm away weekends so will get it down to Chris Monday, so think he will have it ready for despatch by Wednesday. If sending by post that needs signature need to plan posting day so you guys are back from hols.

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Darryl

not back untill after 9th March.... Ta.

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Previously a UK WRC & a CS
Now...a 13/60 cv herald ,a Honda CR-Z and an Amica

We'll have a food meet next Thursday. Pm me when you're ready to receive it Jeff.

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If at first you don't suck seed, try drier grain.

yipee I oh! back on the road again
Just plugged everything back in, wedged it behind the carpet and off we went!!
Brilliant result and major thanks to nibbles and daryl for his test run.
All is well. I o u and I have a 2b280 available (silly billy)

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Previously a UK WRC & a CS
Now...a 13/60 cv herald ,a Honda CR-Z and an Amica

Another CS stays alive !

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Darryl

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Darryl