Apexi ECU & warning light
31 October 2006, 10:32 AM
#1
Throttle position sensor / Apexi ECU warning light
Dear All
I have a 97 car with Apexi ECU.
On a recent country road thrash I was giving it much more throttle than I do normally. Nothing bad happened, no noises, knock was very acceptable at 10 with boost 1.27 (actually set for 1.25 max).
However after slowing down to come into a village, the engine warning light came on steadily, for 2 maybe 3 seconds. It was not flashing and I was then doing about 2000rpm.
During my trundle through the village, it came on again, in the same way, then went off and stayed off.
Searching on here I have seen this mentioned before but no explaination was given.
Perhaps tellingly, I had this once or twice with the normal ECU and the fault code was for the throttle position sensor. Advice at that point was that it may be poor engine earth.
But why would it happen when I've been booting it.
With more normal driving style / conditions since then, it's not happened again.
Electronics
Thanks
I have a 97 car with Apexi ECU.
On a recent country road thrash I was giving it much more throttle than I do normally. Nothing bad happened, no noises, knock was very acceptable at 10 with boost 1.27 (actually set for 1.25 max).
However after slowing down to come into a village, the engine warning light came on steadily, for 2 maybe 3 seconds. It was not flashing and I was then doing about 2000rpm.
During my trundle through the village, it came on again, in the same way, then went off and stayed off.
Searching on here I have seen this mentioned before but no explaination was given.
Perhaps tellingly, I had this once or twice with the normal ECU and the fault code was for the throttle position sensor. Advice at that point was that it may be poor engine earth.
But why would it happen when I've been booting it.
With more normal driving style / conditions since then, it's not happened again.
Electronics
Thanks
Last edited by ClintUK; 31 October 2006 at 02:49 PM.
31 October 2006, 02:15 PM
#2
Have a similar situation on MY97. Usually happens after or during a downhill section with no throttle. Light just comes on steady for a few seconds or until I open the throttle a little.
CEL with the Apexi is supposed to be det. but it isn't in my case or the engine would have expired long ago.
If you ever find out what it is, let me know
CEL with the Apexi is supposed to be det. but it isn't in my case or the engine would have expired long ago.
If you ever find out what it is, let me know
31 October 2006, 02:47 PM
#3
Sounds the same to me, I think it might be when I have no throttle too i.e. happens when I've been booting it and am slowing down.
As I said - normal ECU gave throttle position sensor warning code. Both of us only seem to suffer when we have completely closed throttles.
Any idea where the throttle position sensor is ? Perhaps it's dirty / clogged / loose or just simply knackered ?
Always nice to know your not alone though.
As I said - normal ECU gave throttle position sensor warning code. Both of us only seem to suffer when we have completely closed throttles.
Any idea where the throttle position sensor is ? Perhaps it's dirty / clogged / loose or just simply knackered ?
Always nice to know your not alone though.
31 October 2006, 02:52 PM
#4
TPS is on the throttle body opposite side to the cable.
Mine's been doing it from day one, about 2 1/2 years, but only occassionally and with no obvious ill effects, so I basically ignore it :0
Mine's been doing it from day one, about 2 1/2 years, but only occassionally and with no obvious ill effects, so I basically ignore it :0
31 October 2006, 03:18 PM
#6
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ECU Mapping - www.JollyGreenMonster.co.uk
Posts: 16,548
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
the Apexi PowerFc has diagnostics like the original ecu..the CEL is flashed for det, illuminated for several sensors errors, or maf max, or injector max, if a sensor fault then goto ETC --> sw/sensor check.
The sensor at fault will be highlighted on the left and the voltage will be out of range.. however it only highlights whilst the problem exists so with this problem you mention the fault will be gone by the time you get into the commander to check it..
But sounds like your TPS is not correctly positioned.. so with ignition on, but engine off.. go to ETC --> sw/sensor check and look at the TPS voltage.. I suspect it will be very low or iirc Gerry you have a phase 1 which will be high voltage on a closed throttle.. Clinkuk (Simon) you will have low voltage.
Undo the sensor (two screws) and rotate it slightly (clockwise from memory) and the voltage should alter.. only move it a small amount.. as said it is on the side of the throttle body.
What it sounds like is on overrun the vaccum on the inlet is sucking the throttle butterfly shut further than its position at rest and the voltage reading is going out of range and therefore illuminating the CEL as the Apexi has noticed the sensor is out of range.
Simon
The sensor at fault will be highlighted on the left and the voltage will be out of range.. however it only highlights whilst the problem exists so with this problem you mention the fault will be gone by the time you get into the commander to check it..
But sounds like your TPS is not correctly positioned.. so with ignition on, but engine off.. go to ETC --> sw/sensor check and look at the TPS voltage.. I suspect it will be very low or iirc Gerry you have a phase 1 which will be high voltage on a closed throttle.. Clinkuk (Simon) you will have low voltage.
Undo the sensor (two screws) and rotate it slightly (clockwise from memory) and the voltage should alter.. only move it a small amount.. as said it is on the side of the throttle body.
What it sounds like is on overrun the vaccum on the inlet is sucking the throttle butterfly shut further than its position at rest and the voltage reading is going out of range and therefore illuminating the CEL as the Apexi has noticed the sensor is out of range.
Simon
Trending Topics
31 October 2006, 03:52 PM
#8
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ECU Mapping - www.JollyGreenMonster.co.uk
Posts: 16,548
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
no problem.
there is also an adjustment screw on the throttle butterfly.. the end stop as it were.. you could adjust that out slightly but you really need to ensure the butterfly is shut when off the throttle.. so would need to remove the intercooler to check etc.. I would be inclined to rotate the TPS sensor very slightly.. all that said it shouldn't cause you a problem.. just on fast overrun it sounds like occasionally the light might come on.
Simon
there is also an adjustment screw on the throttle butterfly.. the end stop as it were.. you could adjust that out slightly but you really need to ensure the butterfly is shut when off the throttle.. so would need to remove the intercooler to check etc.. I would be inclined to rotate the TPS sensor very slightly.. all that said it shouldn't cause you a problem.. just on fast overrun it sounds like occasionally the light might come on.
Simon
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
28
28 December 2015 11:07 PM
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
12
18 November 2015 07:03 AM