Car won't start after AFPR install

[TSiAWD666]

Hey folks need a hand with my 99 GSX. I am trying to get her started after installing Import Evolution's Aeromotive FPR on my car. The mods I have on the car related to the fuel system are a 255lph walbro, 660cc injectors, and dsmlink. I used dsm link to run the fuel pump with the car off and set the base fuel pressure to ~43psi. DSM link is not adjusted in any way from its base config (programmed for 660 injectors, at least that's what I requested). Car was running prior to the afpr with the above mods. AFPR is hooked up to the fuel pressure solenoid just like stock.

My problem is that basically the car won't start. The engine turns over, sputters, kinda catches but generally won't get going. After trying repeatedly I completely fouled my plugs, with just a bit of fuel in the cylinders. Taking the plugs out I see they are black with carbon and I can see dampness on top of the pistons. I aired out the cylinders and tried again with another set of plugs (older bpr6es set I had from a long time ago but were known good) and same problem. I tried new plug wires too as unlikely as it might be that the old ones would work prior and not work now.

Any suggestions on what I can look at? I'm really scratching my head here as my understanding of the fuel system is that all I've done is made my regulator adjustable and flow more in general. I have not yet returned to the stock setup so I can't verify my ignition didn't suddenly break during this install. Looking for any suggestions! Was putting this in prior to having a dyno session on Tuesday and I should've known such a "simple" mod wouldn't work for me

 

[hopwoodp]

Did you put telfon on the vacuum fittings?

 

[TSiAWD666]

Yes, on the one side port fitting.

 

[hopwoodp]

And you set it to 43.5 psi without the vacuum hose hooked up?

 

[TSiAWD666]

I set it to 43.5psi with just the fuel pump running (since of course the car won't start). The side port was connected but at the time you can imagine it wasn't changing things with no vacuum in the intake tract.

 

[hopwoodp]

I think you may have a different problem. Double check your injector settings.

 

[turbosax2]

1. Check for leaks
2. Put teflon on the adjusting bolt on top too
3. Check the pressure without the vacuum line connected (just to be sure)
4. Does your fuel pressure drop to 0 or stay around 43 when you turn fuel pump off?

 

[DSMunknown]

Sounds like you forgot to install the other spring that comes with the kit. The same thing happened to me. The weaker spring can't hold anything past 15 psi. As soon as I knew the other spring needed to be installed (because I didn't read the directions carefully enough), the car started right up. Thanks to Ryan over at Import Evolution for helping me out.

BTW neglecting to apply teflon tape to the appropriate threads will not have the effect of the car not starting.

 

[TSiAWD666]

I added thread to the top adjust screw just for grins. No change.
Also I did install the higher rate spring. I had initially thought that but verified it after scrounging through my work bench and found the softer one
The pressure slowly bleeds off after the pump is off. Aeromotive has explained to others via email that this is normal behavior for the unit.

I yanked the whole new afpr setup and put in the stock one. No change. Worst case scenario

Only additional information is I noted the timing marks are lined up properly on the cam gears.

 

[hopwoodp]

I added thread to the top adjust screw just for grins. No change.

I yanked the whole new afpr setup and put in the stock one. No change. So, I've broken something and have no idea what. I should've known it would be one of those weekends.

Only additional information is I noted the timing marks are lined up properly on the cam gears.

PM sent.

 

[TSiAWD666]

Well the fun continues. I went and unplugged/re-plugged any ignition/fuel harnesses that I could think of hoping I knocked something loose. I also on some random whim pulled the resistor pack from my old 95's intake manifold and plugged that in. One of these things got it started with the stock fpr :-\ I then put the resistor pack harness back on the 99's and it still started.

Time to put the afpr back on :-\

edit: oh I swapped 1/4 and 2/3 plug wires on the coil packs too. That is to say instead of having 4123 I made it 2341. Why? #### if I know, I was desperate!

 

[the_skin_eater]

Mine did the same thing...But, I just ran out of gas

So gas is getting into the engine then?
Sounds like it since you said that theres stuff on the cylinders.

Sure your getting good spark?

If you put the stock fpr back on, and still no go, Id check something else.

Might have messed up something with the spark since you were over there. Dont know what though.

 

[TSiAWD666]

I put the afpr back in. Other than noticing a damned leak (that I swear wasn't there before) the car has started.

Sorry for wasting everyone's time. At the moment I'm not sure what it was other than a loose harness, but not sure which one. I didn't touch those harnesses when I pulled the car into the garage and up until my attempts at starting, but I have seen these things in the past.

Thanks everyone for their suggestions!

 

[DSMunknown]

Don't forget to do a BLT and FPT when you get a chance.

 

[TSiAWD666]

Probably shouldn't bump a thread that resulted from my own terrible memory but shortly after fixing it I realized exactly why the car wouldn't start.

I have a 99. My DSMLink inverts the CAS as it's an ECU from a 95. However the plug firing order needs to be swapped and can't be reconfigured via dsmlink, and so I have to swap the 41 and 23 banks on the coil packs :-\ It had been so long since I played with the ignition I completely forgot this I guess I subconsciously remembered it when I decided to swap the firing order.

Just writing this note here in case anyone runs across my thread with the problem and this is what they did