mmcd datalogger help!

[kahlilj]

folks i need some help badly.

i have a 90 NT eclipse 2.0 & it won't start. i recently purchased a datalogger (palm IIIx with mmcd software installed) connected it & attempted to start the car. i logged a couple of files, but they are of little use to me without the car running. i had the impression this logger setup could pull the error/fault codes, but i do not see that info anywhere in the files created.

can someone please give me some help on setting up this logger to do some code/troubleshooting??

i have gone to the sourceforge.net site, have the latest version installed (1.8) and have even downloaded sample files. i thought i could view them on my computer, but after unzipping them, it looks like they want to install on my logger instead. (i need help viewing these on my computer directly too instead of going thru process of uploading to palm, then downloading & converting to excel file on computer).

i must be missing something really simple, but i do not know where to start except here - where i KNOW there are other users out there.

please help.
kahlil

 

[Quasimondo]

Go to the main screen of the logger. Pull down the menu for Diagnostics. Select the opton for test mode.

 

[steve]

On the first page aftter the logger starts you click on the title bar and select test..

Steve

 

[kahlilj]

thanks steve & mondo. i did that a couple of different ways both resulting in nothing immediately useful.
1st attempt: without key in ignition (or key in ignition but not turned on) displayed "ECU communication error"
2nd attempt: with key in ignition and turned on (i.e in start/crank position) displayed "none" for error codes.

excuse me! "NONE"?? now i am really confused!! why is this displaying "no errors"? my car won't start & YES it has gas! ! & i am fairly sure something should show even if it has nothing to do with car not starting. it has been sitting for several months and lord only knows the last time it had a decent tuneup or anything. am i missing something here??

 

[steve]

1st attempt: without key in ignition (or key in ignition but not turned on) displayed "ECU communication error"

Normal. the ECU needs to be running for the logger to talk to it.

2nd attempt: with key in ignition and turned on (i.e in start/crank position) displayed "none" for error codes.

excuse me! "NONE"?? now i am really confused!! why is this displaying "no errors"? my car won't start & YES it has gas! ! & i am fairly sure something should show even if it has nothing to do with car not starting. it has been sitting for several months and lord only knows the last time it had a decent tuneup or anything. am i missing something here??

Just because you car doesn't start doesn mean you have error codes? Is your check engine light on? If not than you don't have active codes.

The other buttons on that page will test the solenoids and fuel pump, or disable injectors when the car is running. The other pages oce you select new on the first will let you see the various sensors. One of the things you check with no start problems is the IAT and COOL temps and also watch the RPMS during cranking to see if the CAS is working.

Steve

 

[kahlilj]

CEL is not on (or at least i dont recall seeing it on), but i thought error codes could still occur without CEL?

anyway, thanks for the info steve. fuel pump was the first thing i checked when i started using the logger & it was working fine (well, i heard a slight whirring noise when i activated the button which sounded like the pump to me.). i'll be sure to check the IAT (inlet air temp?) & coolant temp tomorrow.

here's something i just noticed on my log & found a site that i think gives meaning of:
the FLG2 status showed a "FB". from what i read at that website does the "F" mean fuel pump relay? & does that mean its faulty or what? i think the "B" is for boost related? but this is a not turbo.

FLGO status was "S". meaning power steering pressure? again does that flag status mean i have problems with these parts/areas??

thanks all.

 

[Quasimondo]

Those flags indicate if the wire for it was triggered or not. They won't indicate if there's a fault.

If you're still having problems getting the car to start, try the suggestions in this thread:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217951

 

[kahlilj]

Thanks mondo, i will check utilize the thread you referenced. but what do you mean by "Those flags indicate if the wire for it was triggered or not. They won't indicate if there's a fault."?

 

[kahlilj]

well guys i checked for spark by pulling each plug wire off the installed spark plugs, then placing an old spark plug in plug wire end & seeing if there was arcing while i cranked the engine. i saw nothing. i did this 1-by-1, for each plug wire with lights off in garage & never saw anything. now it makes me wonder if my coil pac is bad?!?!? oh well...

i wanted to measure resistance in my coil pack. i know i did this years ago, but could not remember how to last night (probably out of frustration).

i also:
∙ poured more gas in fuel tank tho gauge indicated it was over 1/4 tank.
∙ checked my alternator fuse (80 amp fuse?)
∙ made sure my MAF sensor was connected
∙ measured batt voltage (it was ~12+),
∙ i also tried cranking with a battery charger attached & unattached

the car sounds normal when i initially try to crank it, but the crank is weaker if i attempt for longer than 5 - 10 secs. it's weaker but not to the point of not cranking tho.

if what you say is true of the EFI, then it likely is not the culprit. i am pretty sure the fuel pump is operable. i heard it making sounds as i described before & i also listened to it make a whirring sound from outside the car when you 1st attempt to start it.

i hate to relinquish & have my car towed to satan, but i may not be able to continue troubleshooting my car sufficiently. its just me & i have no help; can only diagnose/work on car very late at night; back problems make it really uncomfortable to work like i could normally. that being said i do wanna fix this myself.

thanks all for your help.

 

[steve]

Since the ignition system on our 4G63 is a wasted spark design, disconnecting both plug wires and looking for spark on one never works. Cylinders 1 and 4, and 2 and 3 are pairs. The spark jumps from the ground to the center electrodes on one plug and from the center to ground electrodes on the other each time the coil fires.

Steve

 

[kahlilj]

steve, maybe i'm misunderstanding your reply (or maybe my message was not clear?), but i disconnected only plug wire at a time not both (or two).

 

[steve]

My mistake, I misread "i checked for spark by pulling each plug wire off" to mean that you disconnected each plug wire and then checked.

Steve

 

[kahlilj]

My mistake, I misread "i checked for spark by pulling each plug wire off" to mean that you disconnected each plug wire and then checked.

Steve

not a problem. so did i do this right? & if so then would it makes sense the problem may be a faulty coilpack??

 

[kahlilj]

Well folks, I finally got my car up & running. Huge thanks to Shawn!!

It turns out it was the CAS, BUT not just that. Seems the metal tabs on the power transistor coilpack were corroded just enough to prevent spark from occuring. This was after a couple of hours of taking almost everything apart AFTER replacing the CAS.

After replacing the CAS, the engine was passing fuel, but there was still no spark to the plugs. We checked the plug wires, then tested the coilpack & finally the PT. ALL checked out ok. Shawn then checked my ECU for a burned capacitor (not very common, but known to happen on some 1G cars), nada! ECU looked perfect.

But Shawn had noticed a slightly corrosive buildup on the PT connector. He cleaned it off with carb cleaner & also wirebrushed it. After allowing it to dry off, snapped it back together & voila! car started right up like it had never missed a beat.

So it appeared it was the 2 things working together to miff us for a few hours & 2 Saturdays in a row, but now its solved & I'm a lil wiser about how my car works.

Thanks to all u folks for your suggestions as well.
Kahlil - cleared for takeoff