ECU Reset and, 1/2 boost??

[cyberfella]

I've just filled up with Optimax + a bottle of octane boost, reset the ECU and now the car peaks at 0.5bar boost instead of around 1.0 like it was before. Help.:confused:

The engine starts fine, idles fine, drives smooth but obviously isnt as powerful as before. No ECU error codes showing, so what's happened here????

[Tonydatiger]

Think it takes a while for the ECU to adjust, reset it again (by disconnecting the battery for 30mins is easiest) then take it for a real good blast and it should be fine.

[cyberfella]

Think it takes a while for the ECU to adjust, reset it again (by disconnecting the battery for 30mins is easiest) then take it for a real good blast and it should be fine.

It's started pi$$ing down so I'll leave it for tonight. I'll give it a run out tomorrow. I've already reset it again to no avail, so I hope you're right about it settling in.

[Tonydatiger]

I think it will take a while to adjust, you mite have to drive it for 30mins or so. how did u reset the ECU? It`s not gone into "safe mode" for any reason??

[cyberfella]

actually, when resetting, I forgot to hold the accelerator pedal down before starting the engine so i may not have reset it properly.

also, looking at http://forums.sidc.co.uk/forums/247223/ShowPost.aspx it may be a dirty maf sensor (pipercross viper induction kit fitted). so i'll clean it with some brake cleaner, do a proper reset (d'oh!) and then take her for a spin and keep my fingers crossed.

[Tonydatiger]

That mite explain it mate! :cool:

[Olly P]

Sounds like its just running actuator pressure.
Check all the pipes that come from the boost solenoid, there may be one thats come off.

[cyberfella]

Sounds like its just running actuator pressure.
Check all the pipes that come from the boost solenoid, there may be one thats come off.
I can't find any pipes that have come off. I've also since cleaned the MAF with brake cleaner, cleaned the boost control solenoid through with brake cleaner (while the car is in reset mode with all the relays clicking etc) and cleaned the blow off valve too. Boost still peaks at 0.5 bar.

I will bypass the boost control solenoid tomorrow and see if it overboosts, to try and figure if it's the boost control solenoid or wastegate which could be at fault. I'm trying to solve this mystery by using a common-sense approach / process of elimination. I'm no expert so if anyone can help, pleeeease do. :j_sad:

[Olly P]

If you could borrow an actuator from someone with a pre 96 (I think) then swap them over and see if the actuator has gone soft.
You could also try taking the two pipes that come from the boost solenoid and go to the turbo and the actuator, and basically feeding them back on themselves, so the turbo is connected directly to the actuator and the boost solenoid is only connected to itself.
Standard actuator pressure should be about 0.7 bar so you should be able to see if its the soenoid or the actuator.

[J_K]

just seems funny that it happened at an ECU reset.....

[cyberfella]

If you could borrow an actuator from someone with a pre 96 (I think) then swap them over and see if the actuator has gone soft.
You could also try taking the two pipes that come from the boost solenoid and go to the turbo and the actuator, and basically feeding them back on themselves, so the turbo is connected directly to the actuator and the boost solenoid is only connected to itself.
Standard actuator pressure should be about 0.7 bar so you should be able to see if its the soenoid or the actuator.

I popped over to Carl at Sorensen Road Sport, and we blanked off the boost control solenoid to actuator pipe from the solenoid, and looped the actuator pipe back on itself. Result: it boosted to 1.0 bar (before I let off the gas). So the problem would appear to be electronic, not mechanical. I've also run this by Alan Jeffery over at enginetuner.co.uk and he said I can bring it in and swap the boost control solenoid out to see if that fixes it.

[stormperformance.co.uk]

Hi Mate,

Just found the post, if AJ hasn't got one then I do, on a car they have just sorted.

Lee.

[cyberfella]

Hi Mate,

Just found the post, if AJ hasn't got one then I do, on a car they have just sorted.

Lee.

:biggrin: GUESS WHAT??!! SHE'S BACK UP TO 1.0 BAR!! WHAHOOO! :biggrin:

Thanks very much for your kind offer Lee, but on the way home from Wembury, the BOV started blowing off louder and longer, which brought my attention to the boost needle going over 0.5. At the next available opportunity, I nailed it and whoosh! 1.0. I've been under that bonnet in the rain all weekend cleaning pipes, the BCS, BOV, MAF etc. I'll keep my eye on it, and see how it goes over the next few days. It seems sorted. :character0009:

Thanks to Carl, Alan and Lee and the other members on the forum for their concern, help and advice. I've learned loads.