From the Driver's Seat—Featured Story

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Some cases start with a noise but end with silence.

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That’s what happened here. The truck rolled in for an engine noise, but after an intrusive engine repair and several months down, it had gone completely silent — no crank, no start, no check-engine light, no communication with the ECM.

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Weeks of work and multiple replacement parts later — camshaft, lifters, even two ECMs — and the Silverado had become a paperweight in the stall. The technician, Bob, was at his wits’ end.

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At first glance, it seemed like an ECM failure. After all, there was no ground to the ECM relay enable circuit, no CEL, no activity at all. Bob had verified 12.5 volts into the ECM at pin 9, and ignition voltage was present when keyed on. Still, the ECM wouldn’t ground the relay.

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That’s why two ECMs were swapped in without change. The shop lacked the proper OEM terminal probe kit, so the last unknown was: how good is the ECM’s connector pin-fit?

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On my visit, I checked the terminal tension at ECM connector X1 pin 9 with the proper terminal tension probe — all good. Circling back to the basics, next came the loaded voltage drop tests of the ECM powers and grounds. That’s when the real culprit revealed itself.

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At connector X1 pin 34 — one of the ECM’s main B+ power supplies — there was nothing. No power at all. Continuity check between the fuse block (fuse F78) and the ECM confirmed it: an open circuit.

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That was the silence. The ECM had been starved of power this whole time.

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But what caused that? Why would an engine repair result in no power to the ECM??

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Bob explained how he had removed part of the engine harness and repositioned it out of the way to perform the base engine repair previously (noisy engine due to a failed camshaft and lifter). When the harness was put back into place, there was just enough flexing of the harness which resulted in this main power circuit from opening up.

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I ran a temporary overlay wire from fuse F78 to ECM pin 34, and the ECM immediately came alive. Programming and setup completed, the truck fired up without hesitation.

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The dealer later installed a permanent overlay to restore full integrity, and Bob texted me the next day: “Vehicle is operating normally now.”

Here’s what I learned from this case:

1. Don’t overlook the basics. A missing power feed can mimic a failed module and lead to costly, unnecessary replacements.
2. Parts don’t fix opens. Two ECMs won’t matter if the supply line is broken.
3. Test with load. Continuity is helpful, but loaded voltage drop testing is where the truth comes out.
4. Equip the technicians. Proper probe kits and pin-fit tools will save your shop hours of second-guessing.

Don't forget we've created a free online Skool community where fellow troubleshooters, thinkers, and diagnostic detectives can swap stories, wisdom, and wiring diagrams. 'Torque Authority' isn't just a newsletter, it's the start of a movement. Come be a founding member by joining the party here:

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Join Torque Authority Hub: Where Automotive Technicians Transform into Diagnostic Daredevils. Embrace your worth, master your craft, and drive towards financial autonomy with a community that gets it.

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I hope you enjoyed the story! Please share this article with a friend if you did.

In this section each week we highlight a person—an innovator, subscriber, engineer, or even a business—who has made a positive impact in our industry. This is the place in Torque Authority where their authority in the Automotive Industry is highlighted.

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This week's highlight is on Clint Egan, Field Service Engineer at Ford Motor Company

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This week we’re honored to spotlight Clint Egan, Field Service Engineer with Ford Motor Company whose career reflects both technical excellence and a true commitment to strengthening our industry. Clint has built his path from the ground up—starting as a Tire Technician and Parts Specialist, moving into technical support roles, and ultimately stepping into his current position where he provides dealerships in the Central US Region with the expertise needed to solve complex vehicle concerns. With tools like oscilloscopes, scan tools, and even other cutting-edge techniques, Clint helps dealership technicians get to the root cause quickly and efficiently.

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Beyond the toolbox, Clint invests deeply in people. Whether he’s guiding service management to refine repair processes, ensuring technicians receive the training they need to succeed, or supporting recruitment efforts to bring new talent into the trade, his leadership leaves a meaningful mark on both individuals and organizations. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Clint, and I can say firsthand how much I value his professionalism, his ability to make others feel supported, and his passion for building up those around him. He embodies what it means to be a leader in the automotive service world, and we’re thrilled to highlight him as this week’s Torque Authority Spotlight.

One quote of wisdom for you to consider this week...

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This is where we share one practical resource: a tool, app, book, strategy, or event which can have a positive impact in YOUR life.

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This week's Toolbox Tip is a rhyming couplet/phrase to help you remember how vehicle alignment angles affect drift/pull concerns.

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"Camber High, Caster Low,

That's the way the car will go."

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When you perform an alignment and you discover, for example, a condition where the camber is high (more positive) on the left and low (or less positive) on the right, the vehicle will tend to drift to the left.

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The same is true when you have a condition where the caster is low (less positive) on the left and high (more positive) on the right — the vehicle will tend to drift to the left.

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If you stack these two conditions — high camber AND low caster on the left side compared to the right side, the vehicle will have a stronger pull to the left while driving.

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So remember, "Camber High, Caster Low, That's the way the car will go."

Join us Tuesday, September 23rd at 1:00PM EST — Torque Authority is going live for an interactive, no-fluff session you can put to work immediately.

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Who’s it for?

• New techs ready to build confidence and sharpen their diagnostic skills.
• Experienced techs looking to develop a robust diagnostic workflow.
• Shop owners who want faster turnarounds and happier customers.

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Topic: Your 10-Step Playbook to 6-Figure Automotive Success​
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You’ll get the exact tips, tricks, and tools to slash diagnostic time without cutting corners — straight from the shop floor to your screen.

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Seats are limited — lock in your spot now and take control of your diagnostics game.

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Ready to unlock the potential within you and become a more confident automotive diagnostician? Check out Hotwire Your Skills: The 10-Step Playbook to Six-Figure Success for Automotive Technicians

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