Clicking near ECU & Sputtering at 5K

[Tandiey]

So here's the problem... 92 TSI AWD 6-bolt.
While driving, once the car hits 5K rpms at more than 1/4 throttle it sputters and something near the ECU clicks off and then back on if I hold the gas down. If I let off the gas it clicks back on and is fine till 5k again.

We logged it and the TPS is fine.
Plugs have been changed (Base version NGK).
Fuel Filter has been replaced.
Knock sensor replaced last year.
ECU caps have been replaced.
10-12 psi on a MBC.

I am wondering how to check to see if the Fuel Pump Relay is working correctly to see if that is the problem .
Could it be a bad fuel pump? Could it be the battery?

If anyone has another idea of what this may be PLEASE post. We are boggled.
Thanks a bunch guys...

 

[DSM90AWD]

Sounds like an interruption of power to the ECU which could be either the battery or the ECU itself.

Check to make sure that your battery is in good condition as well as the connectors on both terminals are tight and free of corrosion. May also want to check your MPI fuse to see if partially blown.

You did say you'd replaced the capaciters, but in many incidences the ECU had damage prior to replacing the caps and might just now be causing issues.

 

[johnk]

I replaced the caps on my ECU and it lasted about another year...sometimes it's just too late to save em

 

[Tandiey]

Thanks for your replies, but that still doesn't tell me how to check the fuel pump relay. I appreciate your posts though! Anyone else?

 

[pianoman]

if you have a datalogger you can check the fuel pump relay

 

[DSM90AWD]

Thanks for your replies, but that still doesn't tell me how to check the fuel pump relay. I appreciate your posts though! Anyone else?

Near the bottom of this VFAQ: http://www.vfaq.com/mods/FPR.html you can see how to manually trip the relay.

The TMO Datalogger (what I have) can turn the relay on as well as other solunoids from your laptop

 

[johnk]

One of the most common signs of an ECU going out is the clicking. That's the fuel pump relay but it's not a problem with the relay. I've personally never heard of a relay burning out. It's the ECU reseting because it is damaged and one of the first things it starts is the fuel pump relay thus the click you here. Try using a friends ECU or buying a used one from dsmtrader, ebay, mitsubishigraveyard or local junkyard. It's happened to us all it's just a fact of owning a 1G.

Other signs are fishy smell from your dash or if you open up the ECU you should def be able to smell it and see brown goop leaking in the center of the ECU.

 

[Tandiey]

Thanks so much everyone... Turns out it was the ECU. I replaced it with one I had laying around and it stopped all the symptoms! Although, I opened the old ECU, I didn't see any brown goop. Oh well, it worked. That's all that matters! Thanks...

 

[WS6snake-eater]

I'm having similar problems. My car is a 92 2.0 N/T auto. I also have a wrecked 92 1.8 manual. Is it possible for me to use the computer out of the 1.8 m in my 2.0 a? I've already replaced the MPI relay unit.

 

[steve]

Although, I opened the old ECU, I didn't see any brown goop.

The electrolyte doesn't have to be visible for it to be a problem. Depending on how well the conformal coating sealed the bottoms of the caps to the board it could just be hiding under there eating up the power circuit traces. I haven't seen a 1G ECU come in for repair anymore that doesn't have leakage under one or more of the caps. Quite a few looked perfect until I removed the old capacitors.

Steve

 

[steve]

s it possible for me to use the computer out of the 1.8 m in my 2.0 a?

Nope, the 1.8L is a SOHC engine with a distributer and the ECU board is very different from the ECU's for the DOHC 4G63's