RE: Have you verified that the diode is bad?

I was told that this diode is, or most likely is, bad and that replacing it should resolve my ECM failure -- told this by a sharp auto expert who has repaired multiple ECM’s before (but that’s not his main thing). So, the FACT IS I’m not certain the diode is bad and I don’t know if he did any actual test of it on the board.

QUESTION: Can anyone tell me if I can get ANY valuable information (and can I damage anything) by using my Harbor Freight multimeter, in Diode Test Mode, on the diode while still installed on the circuit board ? because desoldering and removing the diode is NOT something I personally can do. ---- (FYI - When I said I’ll replace the diode, I meantI’ll have my local electronics repair expert switch out the diode. ----- And ALSO, my personal electronics knowledge is pretty limited FYI.)

--------------------------- Stay tuned for follow up question RE last post.

 

RE: If after a while you can't find this diode and it is in fact bad, then I would just buy a low signal diode and put it in the circuit and see if it works. Sometimes diodes are put in circuits for electrostatic protection.

That sounds like an awesome idea to me !! PROVIDED THAT:

A. Someone can tell me EXACTLY what diode I can buy and use as a trial, _____ AND

B. There would have to be NO CHANCE that doing this could cause or allow damage to the ECM when I fire it up in my Vette as a trial – meaning, affecting the ECM in such a way that, if I DID later send it out for repair, the Repair Service might tell me it’s now UNrepairable as a result of trying a non-compatible / interchangeable diode !!!

Do do you feel confident that you could specify a diode that meets those criteria ? If so, I love the idea and I’m all ears, but -- FYI -- I’m not willing to try it if there’s ANY chance that can render my ECM UNrepairable !!!

 

On a sidenote, the option to “Quote Message in Reply” at the bottom of the text box is inactive / unclickable for me in both the Post Quick Reply and Go Advanced modes. Any suggestions ?

 

Not sure why the Quote Message key is not working for you. You are clicking it before you go to the Quick Reply, correct?

It would be hard to check the diode with the multimeter without unsoldering one lead. However if you do check it for continuity and it's open in both directions then you know that it's bad.