Intermittent Fuel/Spark Issue - Need Help
Car is a 96 with a 00 stock motor. Running Brain built DIYPNP, FIC 650's, 320lph fuel pump, AFPR, I/E/H, etc
Ever since a track day about 3 weeks ago, I've had this intermittent low throttle fuel/spark issue where all of a sudden the car sounds like a Subaru and AFR goes crazy. I went out for a drive today after replacing my spark plugs, and sure enough the issue is still there. See attached log - it starts almost immediately.
I'm getting to the end of the tests I can think of and I could really use some experienced help here. So far I have:
- Verified base fuel pressure @ 3bar
- Check plug wires/connections
- Test injectors with Megasquirt
- Replaced old fuel pump w/320lph
- Replaced plugs w/ BKR7E-11's @ .030
I don't want to keep fixing things that aren't broken and possibly add to the problem, but I'm concerned about my coil pack and possibly MS firmware (currently on 3.1.0).
Anyone have anything similar happen to them? Any help is greatly appreciated!
** LOG UPDATED 03/30 - STILL SHITTING THE BED **
Ever since a track day about 3 weeks ago, I've had this intermittent low throttle fuel/spark issue where all of a sudden the car sounds like a Subaru and AFR goes crazy. I went out for a drive today after replacing my spark plugs, and sure enough the issue is still there. See attached log - it starts almost immediately.
I'm getting to the end of the tests I can think of and I could really use some experienced help here. So far I have:
- Verified base fuel pressure @ 3bar
- Check plug wires/connections
- Test injectors with Megasquirt
- Replaced old fuel pump w/320lph
- Replaced plugs w/ BKR7E-11's @ .030
I don't want to keep fixing things that aren't broken and possibly add to the problem, but I'm concerned about my coil pack and possibly MS firmware (currently on 3.1.0).
Anyone have anything similar happen to them? Any help is greatly appreciated!
** LOG UPDATED 03/30 - STILL SHITTING THE BED **
Last edited by Ian; Mar 31, 2014 at 03:31 PM.
When you had him build it, did he ask what injectors you would be using? Did he give you a tune file that already had the injectors specs or did you have to set it up yourself?
Is there an another way I can tell? I have detailed pics of the board I can check easily.
I'll have to look at the log when I'm home. Sounds like youre dropping a clyinder or 2, either spark or fuel. Log will show if the MS is doing it, otherwise could be the wiring/drivers.
650cc FIC Mazda Miata Fuel Injector Clinic Injector Set (High-Z)
"This injector set contains high impedance injectors matched to the saturated injector signal generated by this vehicle’s OEM ECU, OR is suitable for use with an aftermarket ECU made or set up for high impedance injectors."
Last edited by Ian; Mar 26, 2014 at 11:56 PM.
This one looks like it could use some more tuning on the VE and acceleration enrichments, but I didn't see much beyond that in the log.
My VE table produces my target AFRs consistently. I will look more into the Accel Enrich settings, however those are what was provided by Braineack when I received the ECU and they never caused a problem before a month ago when this started happening. It doesn't make sense that the car ran well with those Accel settings, then all of sudden started acting like it's running on 2-3 cylinders at random every time I drive it. Wouldn't those setting produce repeatable bad results if they were the root issue? I will check your recommendations regardless and do more testing. Thanks again for the input.
Jesus. F'ing. Christ. I attached the wrong log previously. Update original post with a couple of my most current logs that show my issue. So sorry to all that have looked so far
The TPSdot seems to be triggering a bit too easily; you might want to raise its threshold. That's about all that jumped out at me. Maybe you could push the space bar when the problem happens to mark more clearly where things go wrong?
Thanks again Matt! I will read up more on TPSDot and see if I can solve this.
I read up on AE here: MegaSquirt Acceleration Enrichment Tuning
Updated the TPSDot threshold to 45% up from 40% and drove the car for 40 minutes without a single problem! It looks like this single setting 5% difference was my issue, which is kind of crazy. I took out the ECU yesterday for pictures, so it's also possible that a connection was lose as well, but I can't be sure at this point.
Big thanks to Matt! PM'ing to buy you beer.
Updated the TPSDot threshold to 45% up from 40% and drove the car for 40 minutes without a single problem! It looks like this single setting 5% difference was my issue, which is kind of crazy. I took out the ECU yesterday for pictures, so it's also possible that a connection was lose as well, but I can't be sure at this point.
Big thanks to Matt! PM'ing to buy you beer.
Can you hit the space bar when the issue surfaces? That will make it easier for me to look up on a data log.
Matt, I am not able to mark the log after the run in TunerStudio, however it is present throughout the entire 2014-03-30_10.49.00 log.
I also uploaded the previous log, 2014-03-30_10.42.11 which shows the car running normally for a while then the issue happening 3/4 through at the 872900.0s mark.
I am logging myself while driving - sorry about forgetting to hit the space bar while managing everything else.
I also uploaded the previous log, 2014-03-30_10.42.11 which shows the car running normally for a while then the issue happening 3/4 through at the 872900.0s mark.
I am logging myself while driving - sorry about forgetting to hit the space bar while managing everything else.
If you can get the issue happening consistently, would you be able to shut off the engine and use Output Test Mode to check to be sure both ignition channels are sparking?
I'll see if I can catch it. Is this the correct procedure and settings I should be using?
MS2/Extra - Output Test
Not really sure what I should expect if the test is successful or not.
MS2/Extra - Output Test
Not really sure what I should expect if the test is successful or not.
Last edited by Ian; Apr 1, 2014 at 06:06 PM.







