Wasted spark setup – problems starting.
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi guys.

Just to update progress on my wasted spark issues.

I've now got everything connected as it should be, including the intercooler pipework, boost connections, dump vv etc.

It's going reasonably well. After bedding the cam in, I downloaded all the latest MS1 Extra Manuals and re-read them again – amazing ! Those guys deserve medals !

Even managed to get the right AEM Wide Band AFR to display and changed the gauges normally shown in Megatune !

As I'm only using the ignition side of the ECU at the mo, I thought it would be better for data logging to show gauges for Knock, Vacuum/Boost and Battery Voltage as well as AFR, RPM, AIT, CLT and Advance. Really chuffed - display looks great now. Really easy to change.

MISFIRE ........... ???!?!?!?!

Down to the running issues - what I'm unfortunately left with is a misfire from cold, about every 5 - 6 seconds at idle, even when the engine is up to temp.

Megatune picks this up by all the gauges turning off momentarily (!) and the strobe misses a flash or two. Bloody weird.

I thought I'd do a 5 minute run again and post up a Data Log and a copy of the .msq file onto this thread later on for your thoughts.

As to the possible causes of the misfire - I know it’s not fuelling, this is really sweet on the AFR (both at the actual AEM Gauge and on the MT display).

I've read a lot on the MSx Extra EFi Forum about 'sensor earths' and VR pick-ups - particularly the grounding / shielding and the gap between the sensor and the toothed wheel - maybe my VR signal strength is degraded if the gap is too big (even though it’s a new sensor). This might explain some of the poor starting issues combined with the initial retarded timing (now sorted) - gonna check this later this week.

The only other areas that I can think of is to do with the ECU itself or Megatune affecting the ECU some how when the laptop’s connected.

Any other similar experience out there ?

PS: the rad cap with the temp gauge in the previous pics is an import from Aus. About £20 from Demon Tweeks but not in their catalogue at the mo. Kept lifting and dumping water out of my ally rad - must be something to do with the shape of the seal and the seat - not recommended.

Cheers.

Richard

Minivanless, but reluctantly happy living with the decision. There'll be another one day.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=minimadmotorman#p/u

My guess would be crank sensor signal.

Bloody hell Tom, wish I could read and post that quick.

Ta mate.

Minivanless, but reluctantly happy living with the decision. There'll be another one day.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=minimadmotorman#p/u

Hi,
If all the gauges zero on MT that means comms has been lost between MT and ECU. That could be a power supply to the ECU issue....
Cheers,
Gavin :)

VEMs Authorised Installer / Re-seller. K head kits now available!

WB/EGT gauges. Click here for customers write-up

Visit www.doyouneedabrain.co.uk

My Mini build diary

Does Megatune show that you are getting a reset with every misfire?

It counts the resets in the bottom right of the screen.

Saul Bellow - "A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep."
Stephen Hawking - "The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge."

Its been a while guys, what with other things goin on.

I changed the new (non genuine) sensor for an old Ford one, cleaned up the teeth and set the sensor gap to 0.8mm spot on after checking the sensor was connected the right way round which it was. I also reset the Firing angle to 58 degrees, just short of 60, so that the strobe gives exactly 10 degrees advance at idle.

All else considered, without the laptop connected, the engine runs sweet and starts without any fuss.

That misfire I've got only seems to occur when I stop the engine, disconnect 12v, then re-connect with the laptop and comms lead fitted (as supplied with the MS ECU).

The comms checks I've done all come back as 'successful' yet MS still seems to reset itself (I did a short data log run and will attach the file once I've formatted it - even by my eyes, it clearly shows the ECU resetting every 4-6 secs which is evident by the dials on Megatune momentarily not recording, as I said earlier).

Any ideas or similar experience with the laptop causing a problem with the MS ECU ?

Bloody frustrating - but definitely getting there.

Cheers.

Richard.

Edited by turbominivanman on 24th Mar, 2008.

Minivanless, but reluctantly happy living with the decision. There'll be another one day.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=minimadmotorman#p/u

Hi,
As Paul said, are you getting the resets recorded in the bottom corner of the MT screen?
Also what are you powering the laptop from? If it's from the car, try mains or laptop battery instead.
Have you tried a different serial cable, are you using a USB adaptor?
Cheers,
Gavin :)

VEMs Authorised Installer / Re-seller. K head kits now available!

WB/EGT gauges. Click here for customers write-up

Visit www.doyouneedabrain.co.uk

My Mini build diary

Also one thing to check on laptop is that the setting for the comm port is that is set to be always powered up!!!

Yes Paul / Gav.

MS ECU resets are being recorded in bottom RHS of screen in MT - at same time as the misfire occurs.

Misfires occur in same manner whether Laptop is powered by Laptop battery or mains. I'm not powering by car 12v.

Tried a different serial cable (9 pin type - not USB). Still misfires as bad as original 9 pin cable.

Have got a datalog (shows the resets). Will upload later.

Am going to try de-installing and re-installing MT tonight.

Other than that, it runs fine when the laptop is not connected which is kinda weird. I haven't had it under load yet. Still building the interior.

Cheers.

Richard.

Minivanless, but reluctantly happy living with the decision. There'll be another one day.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=minimadmotorman#p/u

Mike.

I've gone into the COM1 port settings in Control Panel and cant find anything related to 'power'. Can you advise details of where this is please. Ty.

I have however, reduced the 'Receive and Transmit Buffers' under Advanced Port Settings as there is an advisory note in the panel stating that selecting lower settings could correct connection problems.

Ty.

Richard.

Minivanless, but reluctantly happy living with the decision. There'll be another one day.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=minimadmotorman#p/u

Guys.

I’ve got the wiring changes for fan, tacho and water injection in hand but I thought I’d just confirm that my misfire is sorted.
 
I fitted a Ford 20 mF Capacitor to the coilpack +12v supply wire (at the coil) and Megatune now runs without the engine missing a beat. So far, all is as it should be.
 
Hope to confirm other wiring change mods have been successful over the weekend.

Thanks.

Richard.  

Minivanless, but reluctantly happy living with the decision. There'll be another one day.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=minimadmotorman#p/u