not too long ago the trofeo decided to throw E026 (ECM Failure) at me. when I checked the codes on the dash IAC and MAF were throwing codes as well.

So I initially unplugged the battery, see if it just had a bad hickup.

That helped a little, it ran great for about 15 minutes, then it threw the codes again an started dying, stuttering, feeling really bogged down when givving it gas, and recently on a colder morning it was backfiring it sounded like.

So after the initial unplugging I figured might as well fork over the dough for an ECM. So I got it, installed it. same thing.

So it seems that among the Trofeo'* many problems, lieing is now one of them.

Today when I went out to try and figure out my sunroof I started it and the exhaust REEKS, it smells like straight gas almost enough to make it difficult to think straight just walking across the garage to get out the door.

Im pretty much at a dead end now, ive got no idea what to do next. I dont really have the money ot bring it to a shop right now, and I really dont see any reason for this behavior, I mean... it just suddenly happened one morning.

Any Ideas would be massively appreciated.

Thanks

My guess is that it is the MAF that is bad. Try cleaning it first. If that doesn't work, you may need to replace it.

There is a chance that the MAF will set off the IAC and send the ECM on a fritz? Ill give it a go and let you know.

Lucky for me I have a digi dash, so I checked on the MAF, it reads good, working properly, IAC is reading good, BUT, when the car gets to running temp the O2 sensor goes wonky. at first it reads normal, about .80 but at temp it goes from 80 to 00 to 75 to 00 to 60 etc. and whenever it dives to 0 the car dives so I think I found my problem.

would the 02 sensor ake the car freak out like that though? with the ECM code and all.

When the O2 sensor is working properly, the voltage should vary quite quickly. I believe that you have the unheated O2 sensor, so it will not become part of the fuel equation until it and the engine warms. This is a lengthy, but good article about them.
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ic/ic10044.htm

If you've never replaced it, it is possible that it is getting tired. The MAF and O2 sensor will work together to adjust for the proper fuel ratio.

I'm going to take a step back though, and ask if you've checked all of your battery cables for corrosion? Corroded terminals, and low voltage can create all sorts of gremlins to show up.

Yea the o2 sensor is non heated, thats why I found it reasureing that the car started sputtering and dieing once it reached temperature and the o2 sensor kicked in.

I have replaced it once before but, yesterday I was talking to my friend and I had somewhat of a light bulb go on...

so not too long ago I noticed some smoke coming out of my engine bay when stopped at a stop light, I got to the side of the road, checked and nothing... so I started it up. My EGR was cracked so it was dumping all tht exhaust into the engine bay. I think it may have been like this for awhile so I cant imagine the foulness my engine was sucking up, instead of freash air t was getting exhaust.

thats kinda why I suspected it may be the o2 sensor, I may have fowled it up with that little happening.

as far as cables go Ive looked through most of them, there is one fuseable link that has a hole in the rubber outside and the wire is getting a bit of corrosion on it, but i dont think its the cause of the problem, Ive checked it over and over with a multimeter, passthrough and all is well with it.

As with any issue..if you tell us about all the problems we can help better.

Fix your known issues and start from there. Your car being even more electronic than the bonne'* is prone to power issues. Check your power connections/cables (under boots etc) and go from there.