Miata Turbo Forum - Boost cars, acquire cats.

Miata Turbo Forum - Boost cars, acquire cats. (https://www.miataturbo.net/)
-   MEGAsquirt (https://www.miataturbo.net/megasquirt-18/)
-   -   Unreliable engine starting? (https://www.miataturbo.net/megasquirt-18/unreliable-engine-starting-42802/)

CRAIGO 01-12-2010 06:54 PM


Originally Posted by Scotty15 (Post 507440)
After reading that so many other people have this problem, I just flat out cannot see how this can be anything other than an ignition advance issue.

Possibly is, but the amount of maps I've seen with the unchanged PnP value of 12deg cranking advance leads me to think not, or that people have just plain put up with poor start-up and not bothered tuning too much. Afterall a few people have said on this thread that they don't care that it takes a few attempts to turn the engine over when cold. The problem seems more apparent for me in colder temp regions. I had fewer start-up issues when my cold start temps were warmer at 10degC and obviously hot and warm re-starts are always fine.


Originally Posted by poobs (Post 507447)
That is a great idea !!! careful not to blow your coil
Unless the start -up timing is not ruled by the spark table the hard cranking problem should have gotten worse when I corrected the timing settings but it did not.

Check your datalogs and see if your cranking rpm is exceeding it's value as timing will then be jumping from what is set as your cranking advance (PnP value is 12) and then to whatever timing value you have at your fixed map value.(PnP value is 80kpa)

Scotty15 01-12-2010 07:02 PM

Results:

Ambient 28 degrees F

Unplug coils, car turns over fine, although a little slow due to cold weather.

Turn key back and wait a second. Try it again. Exact same result.

Plug in coils, and-

Car turns over maybe one turn and then almost locks. Same shit.

Turn key back, wait a little so the wideband doesn't give me that code 4 bullshit. Car starts right up and runs perfect.

I'm convinced this is an ignition thing, at least for my car. And as I've said previously, I'm running Toyoda COPs, but it also did this with the stock ignition.

poobs 01-12-2010 07:07 PM


Originally Posted by CRAIGO (Post 507470)
Possibly is, but the amount of maps I've seen with the unchanged PnP value of 12deg cranking advance leads me to think not, or that people have just plain put up with poor start-up and not bothered tuning too much. Afterall a few people have said on this thread that they don't care that it takes a few attempts to turn the engine over when cold. The problem seems more apparent for me in colder temp regions. I had fewer start-up issues when my cold start temps were warmer at 10degC and obviously hot and warm re-starts are always fine.



Check your datalogs and see if your cranking rpm is exceeding it's value as timing will then be jumping from what is set as your cranking advance (PnP value is 12) and then to whatever timing value you have at your fixed map value.(PnP value is 80kpa)


So you are saying that timing will sudenly jump from cranking timing to whatever the spark table says?

So what do I change ? I'm not sure what to do ....:dunno:

Scotty15 01-12-2010 07:07 PM

Make that, "Toyota".

I would also like to point out that this got worst for me after I went to the HiRes code. It really didn't do it at all before that.

wayne_curr 01-12-2010 07:33 PM

Very interesting. What is it about timing that would cause the engine to stop cranking so suddenly like that?

When someone else heard my engine do it they suggested it was my battery so I replaced it. Still happens.

Scotty15 01-12-2010 09:05 PM

If the timing is too far advanced the engine is essentially trying to run backwards. It's a balancing act between the ideal (TDC), and the real world, where things take a little time to happen and you need to be advanced from TDC. It takes some time for the fuel to really catch and achieve a hot burn. So you need ignition advance before the piston reaches top dead center (TDC). If you are TOO far advanced the burn happens before the piston is at TDC and actually tries to push it back the wrong way. And it cranks hard. I hope that was clear, I'm not a very good technical writer. At any rate, I think this is our problem for whatever reason.

dgmorr 01-12-2010 09:45 PM

I have an Adaptronic ECU and not MS, but I am having the same issues you guys are describing. I always thought my engine was hydrolocking, but it would happen on the first attempt after only a second of cranking - doesn't seem possible.

My engine actually started in reverse for a few seconds one time. Exhaust smoke started coming out the intake air filter - I am not kidding. I have my crank timing set to 7*. Is setting the timing less than 7* going to help anything? I always had a feeling the fuel was igniting too early while trying to cross the crank/min run rpm threshold.

poobs 01-12-2010 10:10 PM


Originally Posted by Scotty15 (Post 507536)
If the timing is too far advanced the engine is essentially trying to run backwards. It's a balancing act between the ideal (TDC), and the real world, where things take a little time to happen and you need to be advanced from TDC. It takes some time for the fuel to really catch and achieve a hot burn. So you need ignition advance before the piston reaches top dead center (TDC). If you are TOO far advanced the burn happens before the piston is at TDC and actually tries to push it back the wrong way. And it cranks hard. I hope that was clear, I'm not a very good technical writer. At any rate, I think this is our problem for whatever reason.


Great explanation !!!

JasonC SBB 01-13-2010 12:21 AM

Which of you guys have Toyota COPs and have the standard 1k ignition pullup resistors in the MS?

poobs 01-13-2010 02:57 AM

I have a PnP and Toyota COPs

The COP harness does have a 1k resistor. I'm not sure of what a pull up resistor is ( ?)

BTW I had the same hessitation while cranking before I went to COPs....

CRAIGO 01-13-2010 07:59 AM

To prevent spark fluctuations during cranking I tested mine this morning by raising the cranking RPM threshold to 400rpm. It was -1degC and it started up first time which was a change. I've not analysed the datalog yet, but Ill check to see if the engine caught properly without cranking mode shutting off. (As that introduces VE and spark map values, ASE and WUE)

I will try retarding cranking timing too from my current 16deg cranking advance and see if that helps.

Scotty15 01-13-2010 10:14 AM

I have a home built MS1. It has 1K pull up resistors. I also have Toyota COP's

But the MS also did this with the stock ignition.

poobs 01-13-2010 11:52 AM


Originally Posted by CRAIGO (Post 507649)
To prevent spark fluctuations during cranking I tested mine this morning by raising the cranking RPM threshold to 400rpm. It was -1degC and it started up first time which was a change. I've not analysed the datalog yet, but Ill check to see if the engine caught properly without cranking mode shutting off. (As that introduces VE and spark map values, ASE and WUE)

I will try retarding cranking timing too from my current 16deg cranking advance and see if that helps.


How do you guys retard cranking timing ? :vash:

CRAIGO 01-13-2010 11:54 AM


Originally Posted by CRAIGO (Post 507409)

POOBS - If you're using TunerStudio, go to Spark, Spark Settings and then Cranking Advance Angle.

I told you in post 15 Poobs ;)

Braineack 01-13-2010 11:55 AM

under spark settings, there's a spot for ignition advance during cranking...set it to whatever degree of timing you want while you crank. I've always used 18*

poobs 01-13-2010 12:01 PM

Thanks, I missed it :x:

Scotty15 01-13-2010 01:01 PM


Originally Posted by Braineack (Post 507749)
under spark settings, there's a spot for ignition advance during cranking...set it to whatever degree of timing you want while you crank. I've always used 18*

18! I've got it at 10. Are you running the HiRes code?

Scotty15 01-13-2010 01:21 PM

There are a couple settings in the "spark setting" box I'm not sure about.

"Cranking Timing" can be time based or trigger return. Mine is set to time based.

There is another box labeled "Hold Ignition". Mine is set to 0.

I've read the manual, it's pretty sketchy on these. I didn't see anything about Hold Ignition at all. I'm wondering if playing around with these could improve things. But I don't want to just do it for fear of burning something up. Anyone know exactly what these do?

clay 01-13-2010 02:03 PM

After reading that it helps with the "hydrolocking" on startup, I changed mine from 18 to 12 several days ago. It "may" be helping as it seems to do it less, but I'm pretty sure it's done it since the change. A few more days will tell me for sure.

Count me in with those who would like a better startup, but are dealing with it. Absolute worst case, it takes two tries to start.

poobs 01-13-2010 02:04 PM

You guys are going to have to go on without me.:td:

I just happen to look at my AFR tables and they are hosed so I have to go back to see what is screwing up all my settings.

This is so frigging weird that I may start a new thread :vash:


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:33 PM.


© 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands