3.4 Frankenbird Won't Start!

[robertisaar]

that is odd... and when the fan kicks on and you can't connect to the datastream, that's the ECMs way of telling you that you're in limp-home mode...

so either the chip had a bad connection, burnt bad, checksum was wrong(for some reason though TP adjusts it) or the chip is actually fried...

most likely is that the chip wasn't seated all the way.

when it happens to me, i keep the key rolled forward, pop the hood, pull the tab up for the ZIF, reposition the chip and push the ZIF lever down again. almost always fixes it on the first try(and the fan will shut off).

[tkoforpresident]

that is odd... and when the fan kicks on and you can't connect to the datastream, that's the ECMs way of telling you that you're in limp-home mode...

so either the chip had a bad connection, burnt bad, checksum was wrong(for some reason though TP adjusts it) or the chip is actually fried...

most likely is that the chip wasn't seated all the way.

when it happens to me, i keep the key rolled forward, pop the hood, pull the tab up for the ZIF, reposition the chip and push the ZIF lever down again. almost always fixes it on the first try(and the fan will shut off).

Thanks. That's a good idea about leaving the key "on" while fixing the chip. I did in fact pull the chip out and then re-seat it but with no luck. Then i tried the old chip and that worked right away. I am pretty sure i had it seated properly.

I don't care if the chip is fried since i have another one but then i might have to buy another spare. I was more dissapointed with not being able to try out the new .bin than anything else. Small hiccup along the way i hope. I think the brakes are good enough to take down the street a couple times for logging purposes so maybe in a week or two we can start on the Base VE

[tkoforpresident]

Ok, the tune worked this time so whatever wasn't working before is now.

I liked this tune the best in regards to the idling rpms. It was at about 900 while at idle and 800 while in gear. This seems like a good setup.

While in gear with the brake lights on, headlights on, radio on, radiator fan on, and even the heater on the voltage still stayed above 14 which is great.

I don't think i'll have any issues with that.

I know the BLM/ INT were moving around a little bit this time so take a look and let me know if the VE should be changed or if it's "good enough" so to speak. I know it can never be perfect but i'd at least like it to the point where it won't be a problem.

I have the tire patched and filled with air so now all that's left to do is pick up the plates at the DMV and put it on the road. Then I can get a log while driving.

Log attached.

[robertisaar]

what an odd engine... seems to be VERY intolerant of changes in coolant temp... the BLMs shot up to 143 the first time the engine approached 163*F, then it dropped down to 153*F, then as the temp creeped up again, the BLMs eventually settled back to 127....

that 10* drop in coolant temp was strange enough(unless you actually have a 160*F thermostat, in which case, it seems to be a bit sticky), but the BLMs changing like that based on coolant temp was even weirder...

the IAC minimum seems to creep up a little more each time too... but that's not a bad thing, just that it's getting a better grasp of how much change it needs each time.

[tkoforpresident]

is it something to be worried about?


my thermostat is a 180*

[tkoforpresident]

if it helps...

i put it in DRIVE and then back to PARK a few times during the log and even turned on the radiator fan once (manually) while in gear (to test my voltage)

[SappySE107]

I think we are good for it to start moving and get an idea of where to go from there. BLM might be moving because of the alt load so I will leave the idle ve where it is at for now.

[tkoforpresident]

sounds good. I'll see if i can get things ready to go on the road asap.

[tkoforpresident]

the vette owner is coming over to take his car home. One step closer to driving it.

btw, this garage is like GM heaven. We've got a chevy camaro, pontiac firebird, chevy corvette, and buick regal (3.8 turbo).

[pocket-rocket]

the vette owner is coming over to take his car home. One step closer to driving it.

btw, this garage is like GM heaven. We've got a chevy camaro, pontiac firebird, chevy corvette, and buick regal (3.8 turbo).

Had that bolded part read GN, I would have agreed with you, lol. Glad to see you making progress at any rate, and I'm definitely glad your friend is ok

[tkoforpresident]

haha yeah. i love those grand nationals too.

my buddy is doing great and i hope he changes his lifestyle habits as a result of his close encounter.

[pocket-rocket]

Serious things like that are usually a good wake up call that doesn't go ignored. Let's just hope he listens to you, the doctor and his other friends.

[tkoforpresident]

I think he will. He's a sensible man, or sensible enough.

He actually stopped by today while i was working on the Bird at his house. (his dad drove him, he stayed in the car) and we talked for a bit and then i got him some tools from the garage, it being is actual purpose for coming out.

On that note, the corvette was taken today from behind my bird so we are getting VERY close to a first driving datalog... stay tuned!

[tkoforpresident]

well i'm glad that's over with.

That was the data log from HELL!

I started logging after letting the car idle for a while and warm up. I didn't actually take off to drive until the temps reached ~ 150 * F or so. I started to back the car out of the driveway and it stalled out

fired right back up though and stayed on as long as i gave it gas and didn't let it stop for too long. It stalled out a few times (at stop signs) and i had to restart it again. Each time it got harder to the point where this one time i didn't think i'd ever get it to start again and resolved to take it back to the garage as soon as possible!

Add into all that, the fact that it was about 40 degrees outside and raining torrents of water (fogging up my windows and making it nearly impossible to see out of) and there were cops coming a little too close for comfort (my inspection sticker is way old for obvious reasons) in general i had a pretty lousy time. BUT!! I hope we can use the log that i took. Occasionally i looked at the blm/int while driving and they were definitely WAY off.

Ben, if you can make this car driveable I think I can believe in miracles.


Log will be in my next post. I'd love to hear comments from any/all of you.

max

[tkoforpresident]

here's the fail log.

i think at about row 3315 i started to actually drive down the street.