SAFC2 question

[droopynuts]

I installed an SAFC2 about three months ago with plans to add bigger injectors, etc. I had these extra parts lying around because I can't get the SAFC2 to read correcttly. After speaking with tech and realzing my wiring was in fact correct (yes I soldered everything), I was told that i must have a bad unit. I haven't done anymore work to the car, as I have been extremely busy, until I popped the hood yesterday and realized that the ground to the negative terminal on my battery was cut in half from the OEM wiring harness, essentially making my car ungrounded. My car is still running, oddly enough.

I am not sure how long this condition has existed. Is it possible that the SAFC is not working properly because of this? What other things can I look forward to if I do not fix this soon, other than a dead battery from the alternator not charging it? Thanks in advance.

 

[heavyD]

If the battery negative wasn't connected to the car somewhere you wouldn't run period. Chances are that your car is suffering from a poor ground which could be causing your SAFC II not to function correctly as well as noise interference on other equipment.

 

[karbon]

If your car has enough ground to run, then it's not going to interfere with the operation of the AFC, which pulls next to no current. The battery doesn't NEED to be grounded in the stock location behind it, but it's definately something you want to get fixed if it's cut, as it puts a strain on the other grounds. Enough strain and you can have a fire on your hands. I'd get that ground sorted out, but to answer your question, no it's not the ground. If you're 100% positive that your wiring is correct, then I'm guessing you have a faulty unit.

 

[heavyD]

If your car has enough ground to run, then it's not going to interfere with the operation of the AFC, which pulls next to no current.

It's not a matter of current. Alot of electronics require clean DC to function correctly. When you have poor grounding there will be alot of noise interference and while some electrical components may work some may not. I see it all of the time in my industry.

 

[karbon]

It's not a matter of current. Alot of electronics require clean DC to function correctly. When you have poor grounding there will be alot of noise interference and while some electrical components may work some may not. I see it all of the time in my industry.

Good point. I didn't even think about interference. I guess the thing to do would be to restore the connection and cross your fingers.

 

[droopynuts]

The car is grounded via jury rig. I know I have to fix this. The only issue that I was having trouble with is determining why the unit reads throttle and RPM, but not pressure, knock, etc. In addition there are no tuning capabilites, but I assume that would be obvious. As it is right now, it just looks pretty. So thanks for the answers guys, I guess I'll just fix it and cross my fingers as someone already stated.

 

[heavyD]

The car is grounded via jury rig. I know I have to fix this. The only issue that I was having trouble with is determining why the unit reads throttle and RPM, but not pressure, knock, etc. In addition there are no tuning capabilites, but I assume that would be obvious. As it is right now, it just looks pretty. So thanks for the answers guys, I guess I'll just fix it and cross my fingers as someone already stated.

You can't properly read knock on a 2G with the SAFC and what pressure value are you expecting?

 

[droopynuts]

You can't properly read knock on a 2G with the SAFC and what pressure value are you expecting?

I guess I was expecting something other than 0. I remember when I had my vafc wired into my civic, it read vacuum. Not to sound misinformed, which I probably am, but I thought this option was available to DSM's. But then again, I did this install a couple of months ago, and its not fresh in my memory exactly how I did it. I just know that I double checked everything with an Apexi tech, and it was correct.