Problems of EPIC proportions!

[stevew]

Well having finally reconnected my intake air temperature sensor in a sensible manner I find I'm now having some other EPIC related problem. Although fixing the sensor connection solved the 'hicupping' and surgy drive I now find that if I give it some and hold onto a gear slightly longer than usual, to perhaps 3500rpm, I get the red light of doom!
I had to stop on the hard shoulder and restart the engine 5 times the other day coming down the M1 so it's now gone beyond inconvenient.
Anyone eelse had these symptoms? Any suggestions, other than change the EPIC for a late Bosch pump which I'd like to do.
I'll take it to be read at Fords I guess. How much should I pay for that and what should I get?

Steve

[100ps_drw_hicube]

youll pay between £60-80 for the codes to be read unless you know someone with a code reader oh dear never ever had the red light come on on mine for anything other than the alarm unlucky mate andy g has a similar prob i belive

[stevew]

Just a theory but perhaps I've toasted the air temp sensor with all the messing about I've been doing. Could anyone measure their's? Mine measures about 33k Ohms at room temperature.

Steve

[stevew]

Nice theory but the EPIC manual says that's just fine.

Steve

[AndyG]

Hi there Steve
You should have Billinged at the weekend
What does your Turbo guage say

Since fitting the 'chip' I found that if I turn up the power to max the van goes to take off like a rocket then I get the red light ("of doom" ) come on
The gauge was also fitted at about the same time, I wonder if there's a link

[stevew]

How do you mean 'turn up the power to max'? Does the chiping process give you a power adjuster or you mean at the turbo waste gate?
The red light (of doom) indicates that the EPIC mangement has, literally, gone off the map! I.e. one of it's sensors is outside what it considers acceptable values. So yeah if you adjusted the turbo to give 2bar it would freak because it's lookup table doesn't go up that high.
My van has started doing this since I fitted the new axle. I guess I've been pushing it harder as a result.
Yes I should have come to Billing!

Steve

[AndyG]

Yeah
My chip is fully adjustable AND I can turn it off altogether at a flick of a switch
My turbo gauge (which is connected) is still residing in the glove box (no time at the mo.)
I did notice that with the chip on it boosts a bit higher

[stevew]

Hmmmm...
When I got my van the waste gate actuator had fallen off so it had no turbo boost at all! When I replaced it I sort of adjusted the waste gate at random and haven't touched it since. I wonder if it's too high.

Steve

[AndyG]

Hmmmm...
When I got my van the waste gate actuator had fallen off so it had no turbo boost at all! When I replaced it I sort of adjusted the waste gate at random and haven't touched it since. I wonder if it's too high.

Steve

If it helps, I could count the visible threads on the end of the rod tommorow for you

[stevew]

Nighthawk once said that it's supposed to be about 0.7bar and Haynes agrees with him. My guage peaks up to about 0.9bar and then drops down to 0.85. I always assumed this was due to wastegate opening. How much can you trust a guage you paid £5 for from Ebay?

Steve

[AndyG]

Mine does the same Maybe slightly lower until now

As it's in the glovebox it's difficult to gauge it( ) correctly

It's not easy when you have to keep your eyes out for Vectras

[stevew]

I drove it carefully back from Aylesbury to London on Friday. I tried to keep the boost below 0.8 bar and it behaved itself OK. I can't think why it would suddenly be a problem though especially since in the alps I had to absolutely hammer it going up the hills to keep out of the turbo lag, up to 3500rpm for each gear change, and it was fine.
Time for a trip to Fords.

Steve

[AndyG]

It could be as simple as overboosting

My Fraud dealer wanted £80+vat to read / clear my codes NO WAY DROVE AWAY

[stevew]

It seems odd that it's only doing it now but not going up to Alp d'Huez.
I suppose the air is slightly thinner?!

Steve

[stevew]

I adjusted the waste gate down this morning. Less thread showing after the nuts = less boost by the way. Now I'm getting about 0.6 bar peaking at 0.7.
No difference! Also no noticable reduction in performance which makes me wonder.

Steve