Wrapping up my Alky and gauges install.....one question

pgoffner · #1 (**permalink**) July 5th, 2008, 04:23 PM

Wiring up the 3bar MAP sensor under the hood. Does the ground for the MAP sensor have to be grounded from the TPS or can I ground It off the fender? The instructions do not specify but the sticky post about 3 bar with digital dash states to run ground from TPS....just wanna be sure.

Razor · #2 (**permalink**) July 5th, 2008, 08:14 PM

Ground it off the fender. Just make sure its solid, no paint.. loose connection, etc

pgoffner · #3 (**permalink**) July 5th, 2008, 09:17 PM

well took the car out after the install ... Car stumbled backfired set code 42 and died on me. I'm stranded in a gas station right now with no clue what to do. Car wont start now....

Jay Wicks · #4 (**permalink**) July 5th, 2008, 10:29 PM

check the cam sensor, take the cap off and see if its rotating while the engine cranks over.

pgoffner · #5 (**permalink**) July 5th, 2008, 10:59 PM

took the cap off, it does spin when the engine is cranked.

lpaulabbott · #6 (**permalink**) July 5th, 2008, 11:20 PM

sounds like a grounding problem at the ecm. or coil pack. retrace your steps an or undo wiring with alky and start up and see if it runs the reinstall alky slowly

pgoffner · #7 (**permalink**) July 5th, 2008, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpaulabbott

sounds like a grounding problem at the ecm. or coil pack. retrace your steps an or undo wiring with alky and start up and see if it runs the reinstall alky slowly

All Alky wiring is undone. Car still will not start, only cranks and backfires....

How would I know if the cam sensor is bad? I had the car towed home and I'm sitting here trying to figure out what happened.

pgoffner · #8 (**permalink**) July 6th, 2008, 08:15 AM

Once the car sits for a while the car will start and idle. After about a minute the o2's will drop, idle will start to die off and the car starts smelling very rich then the car backfires and dies again. After it dies, no start just turns over and lots of backfiring....

Razor · #9 (**permalink**) July 6th, 2008, 08:18 AM

Your problem has nothing to do with the alky system.

Cam Sensor...There is a phillips screw that holds the reluctor wheel. I would take the screw off and lift the reluctor. Underneath it is a little tab that sets it into place. It is common for the tab to break and throw off all timing.

Make sure that tab is there.

Also.. if you messed with the chip, make sure the chip is properly seated in the ecm.

Also try reseting the ecm by unplugging the connector by the battery and replugging it in.

If you messed with the ecm, make sure both plugs are seated down into their sockets.

reply back..

pgoffner · #10 (**permalink**) July 6th, 2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

Your problem has nothing to do with the alky system.

Yes, I'm starting to realize this now. Just thought it was becuase the problem didnt exist until after the install is all....
Cam Sensor...There is a phillips screw that holds the reluctor wheel. I would take the screw off and lift the reluctor. Underneath it is a little tab that sets it into place. It is common for the tab to break and throw off all timing.

Make sure that tab is there.

Ok I'll check that today when I get back home

Also.. if you messed with the chip, make sure the chip is properly seated in the ecm.
Nope, havent touched it for months but I'll double check it

Also try reseting the ecm by unplugging the connector by the battery and replugging it in.

Did this a few times
If you messed with the ecm, make sure both plugs are seated down into their sockets.

Didnt mess with it but I checked it anyway and it seemed to be fine
reply back..

Thanks for the reply Razor. Yes I understand this isnt an issue with your product. My original posts were done from my Iphone when I was stranded so it was easier to just reply to an existing post versus trying to make a new one while my phone battery was dying. Please feel free to move the thread if you think it should be in another section but I am hopelessly lost with this issue

Razor · #11 (**permalink**) July 6th, 2008, 08:39 AM

Phil, no worries.

I actually remembered seeing this issue. Its not a cam sensor issue. Its typically a chip issue or ignition module going bad.

Take the chip out of the ecm and make sure there is no corrossion on the pins. Also make sure there is no corrossion on the plugs where the cables plug into the ecm. I would take the ecm out of the car by unplugging both connectors and start inspecting everything.

Hope this helps

Razor · #12 (**permalink**) July 6th, 2008, 08:48 AM

Another thing is MAF.. if it starts going it will make the car run rough. You can unplug it and see if it runs. The cam sensor can also be unplugged once the engine is running This may be another way to test it.

pgoffner · #13 (**permalink**) July 6th, 2008, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

Phil, no worries.

I actually remembered seeing this issue. Its not a cam sensor issue. Its typically a chip issue or ignition module going bad.

Take the chip out of the ecm and make sure there is no corrossion on the pins. Also make sure there is no corrossion on the plugs where the cables plug into the ecm. I would take the ecm out of the car by unplugging both connectors and start inspecting everything.

Hope this helps

When I get home, I'll pull the chip and check the connections. I'll also check the ECM plugs for issues. The way the car spits and backfires sounds consistent with what you are saying about the ignition module. I checked the coil packs last nite and the resistence on them were in range according to GNTYPE.ORG

Should I put the stock chip back it to see if it changes anything? Currently theres an TT street chip in it.

pgoffner · #14 (**permalink**) July 6th, 2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

Another thing is MAF.. if it starts going it will make the car run rough. You can unplug it and see if it runs. The cam sensor can also be unplugged once the engine is running This may be another way to test it.

Checked the MAF by unplugging it and it didnt change anything other than setting a MAF low voltage code or something like that. I'll check unplugging the cam sensor with the engine running as well. Thanks Razor.....keep the ideas coming

Razor · #15 (**permalink**) July 6th, 2008, 08:53 AM

Stock chip.. only if the injectors are stock. If they are close to stock.. less than 36lb you can use the stock chip and drop some fuel pressure.

pgoffner · #16 (**permalink**) July 6th, 2008, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

Stock chip.. only if the injectors are stock. If they are close to stock.. less than 36lb you can use the stock chip and drop some fuel pressure.

Ok, the injectors are 42.5's so I wont put the stock chip back in it.

ALVAROG1983 · #17 (**permalink**) July 6th, 2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

Ground it off the fender. Just make sure its solid, no paint.. loose connection, etc

YUP THAT IS WAY MINE IS SET UP AND PHIL LET US KNOW WHAT IT WAS WHEN YOU FIGURE IT ALL OUT.

Razor · #18 (**permalink**) July 6th, 2008, 06:24 PM

If the chip and ecm doesnt fix it.. then more than likely its the ignition module. Careful on the ignition module as aftermarket ones(Cardone,Wells,Etc) are known to exhibit issues. AC Delco's are the only ones that for sure work.

There are three parts I keep on the shelf for a Buick.
1) MAF stocker with BW sticker
2) Coil pack ignition module
3) Spare ECM + chip

If the three above parts are swapped and the car still has issues.. your in trouble