ECU in Safe Mode?

[alpalwal]

I just put in my new emance ecu tuned for 950's, z32 maf, holset h1c. The car is running extremely rich (about 9:1 at idle). I talked to the emance guys and they said that if the ecu indicator light is solid red then the ecu is in safe mode.

I searched about safe mode and didn't find anything. What causes safe mode and how do I get out of it?

[DevilMB3017]

The most common causes are:

MAF Sensor that isn't wired properly or isn't working properly.

Knock sensor going off/not working.

And probably several other things. Sounds to me more like you got screwed and should get a new tune from Emance. He's getting to be known for faulty tunes...

[alpalwal]

well I did just wire in a new maf too. Any easy way to check if it's that? If that doesn't work I'll send it back.

[DevilMB3017]

Search about how to check your ECU codes.

That should let you see what the problem is.

[alpalwal]

I did but the red light is just on solid which I was told was indicative of the ecu in safe mode. I turn the dial on the ecu to the right and then back but it doesn't go off solid red.

[480sx]

There is a sequence of events that has to be followed for the ECU to go into self diagnostic mode. The blinking lights give you a number, and that number is your fault code.

I destroyed a brand new motor idling it for less than 5 min combined total in safe mode. Change your oil, dont run your car except to test to see if its not in safe mode. Change your oil again.

Two biggest causes of throwing the ECU into safe mode is MAF and CAS.

[alpalwal]

I was thinking about how the only change I made to the safc after the new ecu came in was I put all the corrections to 0.With a different maf and an ecu tuned for the setup as-is, how do I set the safc? I don't need it "tricking" the ecu into thinking the setup is something it's not because the base line tune should already be done for me.

Maybe if the afc is telling the ecu that the maf is something it's not it could put it in safe mode?

[480sx]

Try to set the SAFC to the right settings. What kind of maf are you using?

[alpalwal]

It's a z32 maf

[480sx]

Setting is 2 in 2 out i believe is the setting if your ecu is programed for it. If 2 doesnt work, try 6, but i think its 2.

[WDRacing]

Lowest reading on most widebands is 9.0. So it could be even worse. If the issue is with the ecu, do yourself the favor and throw it in the trash and buy a new rom tune from someone else.

What 480 said about the oil is no joke either. Until it's running well and tuned right, never run the motor for very long. Unless you're setting up the tune yourself. Then it can't be helped. But change the oil often.

WD

[joenismos15]

Is this the Same thing or is it also called Limp Home mode or something like that?

[alpalwal]

Alright, just did some more work. AFC is set to hotwire, 4cyl, up right arrow throttle, 2 in 2 out. I checked the maf and there was some corrosion on the connection between the maf and the pigtail. I scraped it off and tried the car again. It still runs the same.

Just to find out, I unhooked the maf, started it up and it ran the exact same.

Time to try a new maf? Are there any easy tests to see if one is shot?

[480sx]

If you have a check engine light, you have to pull that code dude. Stop screwing around and figure out how to pull the code.

zerothread?id=253912

Usually, if your problem is maf related and your wiring is right, unplugging the maf will let the car run and idle ok, just not rev over 2500.

[alpalwal]

Alright, just did some more work. AFC is set to hotwire, 4cyl, up right arrow throttle, 2 in 2 out. I checked the maf and there was some corrosion on the connection between the maf and the pigtail. I scraped it off and tried the car again. It still runs the same.

Just to find out, I unhooked the maf, started it up and it ran the exact same.

Time to try a new maf? Are there any easy tests to see if one is shot?

[480sx]

[alpalwal]

sorry for that last double -

I've tried checking the code multiple times since this started. With the ignition on I'll turn the knob, wait, and then turn it back. I've read and made sure I'm not messing it up and all that.

The light just stays on solid red. No blinks at all.
Modified by alpalwal at 1:12 PM 5/26/2009

[480sx]

Whats the history of this ECU? Was it a good working ECU that you sent off to emance? What about the car and the distributor, was everything working on your car before?

[alpalwal]

With emance they'll ship you a pre-tuned ecu. So I don't know the story about it before hand.

It was running fine and then I had to change the maf, ecu, and injectors all at the same time because of the pre-tuned ecu. Distributor works fine and I recently changed the cap and rotor anyways.

[480sx]

Did they test the ecu on a working car before they sent it to you?

I mean theres a few things that could be wrong with their job that would cause you not to be able to go into self diagnostic.

Make sure your wiring harness is ok at the CAS 6 pin plug, and the MAF plug. Other than that, its probably a screwed up ECU or a wiring issue.