CA18DET starts to sputter when going into boost. also a few other questions.

[Nathan A.]

I have recently acquired a 1989 Hatchback with a CA in it. When I test drove it it pulled hard and ran great, and operated fine for the 4 hour drive back to my house. When I drove it the next day it was REALLY hard to start and started sputtering when i got into boost. I have replaced the plugs, fuel filter and air filter. Does anyone know what else could be causing this? Also, how do i get the codes off of my ECU?

Thanks in advance.

[zenki-S13]

not sure on the sputteringbut you can find how to read the codes in the fsm

[ca18detgabby]

it is either a vac leak or a coil

I would lean toward coil. having a dead spot in the RPM band is a tell tail sign

[Nathan A.]

well, its not at a certain spot on the rpm because as long as im out of boost it won't sputter, but the minute i start to accelerate fast and the boost gauge hits 0p/si it will hesitate and then accelerate..... hesitate.... accelerate.....etc.

not sure on the sputteringbut you can find how to read the codes in the fsm

sorry for the noobness, but whats fsm?

[m_wolfenden]

factory service manual

[Nathan A.]

okay, cool. just ordered one last night actually.

[drifting circles]

I'm the biggest Noah fan!!! Just because i am a Bulls fan tho. He's a baller!!!

[float_6969]

Have you read the FAQ at all? There is a FREE FSM you can download in there... :smack

[Nathan A.]

Thanks. I did read the FAQ, but just somehow missed the FSM.

[nuts510]

Since a car ran right for you for a while and it only occurs when you start to see boost, I would also seriously check for any leaks especially the intake system primarily around the plumbing for the intercooler and it sounds like you enjoyed your new toy a lot on the way home and your problem could be as simple as a leak in the plumbing, probably one of the best ways to do this is to blow regulated air into the turbo inlet and look for air leaks it sounds like you've got one that only shows up under boost which usually means a hosers trying to pull part this can also make it difficult to start

[Nathan A.]

I checked out the intake and hoses, and i'm pretty sure its not that. I had a wiring/electronics genius come by and he said that I needed a new ECU because my injector coils weren't being told to fire. Does any of that make sense?

[ca18detgabby]

I checked out the intake and hoses, and i'm pretty sure its not that. I had a wiring/electronics genius come by and he said that I needed a new ECU because my injector coils weren't being told to fire. Does any of that make sense?

I doubt it.

w/ our ECUs it is an all or nothing thing.

issue is.......

coilplugignitorharness

which cyclindar isnt properly firing? could he atleast tell that much?

[float_6969]

He said the injectors aren't firing? I thought it ran, just not in boost?

[Nathan A.]

He said the injectors aren't firing? I thought it ran, just not in boost?

yeah, it runs normally until boost then starts sputtering like it isn't getting enough of something. I guess I'll just talk to the electronics dude about it again.

[meminto]

Hows the fuel pressure and the pump?

From an electronics perspective, check the power transistor (ignitor) I didn't understand the ecu/no fire explanation (injector coil?), it didn't seem logical..

[Nathan A.]

Hows the fuel pressure and the pump?

From an electronics perspective, check the power transistor (ignitor) I didn't understand the ecu/no fire explanation (injector coil?), it didn't seem logical..

fuel pressure and pump are both fine. He said that the spark plugs were firing but the injectors weren't and that it has something to do with the ECU.

[meminto]

Just so I understand:

Spark is ok on boost, but no fuel on boost?

[Nathan A.]

thats what the electronics dude said, but I was at a local shop today and the guy started messing with the wiring from my Apexi tuner to my ECU, and said that that was what was making everything run rough. I heard it run and is sounded much better, so i think the problem is solved. I'll post again if this is not the case.

[float_6969]

DUDE! If you've got stuff like that installed in there, we need to know about it if you want our help Had I know it had a SAFC on it, I'da told you to look there first!

[Nathan A.]

This is the tuner that is in my car right now. I was told that I need to get a different one because this one wasn't compatible. I think I was lied to, because this seems to be a universal tuner. Can anyone confirm that this is an OK tuner for my car?

[sjbsuperman1425]

thats a VAFC (Vtec Air Flow Converter). I'm not big into the piggybacks, but i think you need a SAFC (Super Air Flow Converter) as the VAFC is probably for Honda's with VTEC.. Might want to do some more research on it.

[Nathan A.]

aight, cool. Just wanted to make sure that i wasn't being lied to.