MembersPage/PhatBob/InstallationDevelopments
As various installation issues crop-up I will add them here, any assitance given here will help improve the MembersPage/PhatBob/UserGuide instructions.
30 Sept 2006
- Fitting a v3.3 to MattJ's Corolla, I had some concerns about the way his engine was earthed, because when he plugged in an EGT sensor to his v3.3 it stalled the engine.
- what kind of EGT sensor ? The connections of the webshop EGT sensor are isolated from the shell, so strange voltages in the exhaust (how can that happen?) should not effect operation of durability
- These are 5mm thick K-type thermocouples used by the motor company he works for (very very big) he does datalogging on production vehicles using these. When I plugged one into my Round before fitting the earthing kit it caused my round to reset!
- The EGT sensor is reading nothing but noise now, I imagine that this has killed the sensitive thermocouple chip. Does this sound plausible?
- yes, or the mcp3208 chip could have been killed as well. Actually, the mcp3208 is easier to kill with voltage outside 0..5V (eg. 12V) on it's input. Did he try to hook up ALS / launch / shiftcut input ?
- No, none of that has been used. TPS and MAP work fine, setting the EGT#1 calibration to zero makes the noise go away.
- if the ECU was not grounded (ssshhh!), but it got +12V, and it was powered (receiving ground ) via some of it's inputs ... that might cause damage inside ECU. Grounding is very important, it's bold and red on the paper shipped with v3.x
- Not only is it in red, but it is in bold letters on the UserGuide AND in my Loom Guide it is a perfect example of what I've always suspected - it doesnt matter how many times you write it down people still are not able to take it on board. The grounds all went to one place (one of the extra benefits of a pre-made loom) but the single earth wire was being shared with the alternator and the starter, so it was not working 100% correctly.
- After fitting a "grounding" kit the erratic idling went away and the engine starts cleanly.
- what do you mean by "grounding" kit ?
- They are popular with Japanese cars, check your email ;) Essentially multistrand oxygen free copper wires that properly ground the engine to the chassis. They're sold on the fact that they provide smoother idling and often better responsiveness.
- usually very expensive, I prefer to get a 2euro grounding kit (thick wire with connectors) instead of the 200 euro bling bling kit, the expensive kits are usually fitted to cars who have 12 TV screens and neon kits ;) //Emil
- Yes they are, but from my point of view this illustrates that there is a potential sensibly priced product here for those who know the value of grounding yet don't want the "bling" kit, as Richard has pointed out this means kit-car and engine swap people, who are also potential customers of ours, the net effect is that pre-made looms will work more readily, and the VEMS name will become a bigger brand.