Randomly Losing RPM Signal, Engine Stutter
#1
Randomly Losing RPM Signal, Engine Stutter
Hey Guys, I finally got my car running again after 5+ years and I have been encountering an odd issue. The car runs and drives perfectly fine but randomly power will just cut out for a fraction of a second. It almost feels like you let completely off the throttle and back on. This will maybe happen 3 or so times out of an hour of driving.
I happened to catch this anomaly while datalogging for my tuner and dug into the problem a little more. According to the log, the ecu is losing rpm signal completely, which is followed by a lean spike in the AFRs, which would be normal if it thinks the engine isn't running. Thinking it may be the CAS at fault, I replaced it this weekend but I'm still having the same issue. The wiring harness is all new but I will be doing a continuity check between the CAS and the ECU when I have time.
I've searched endlessly and did not come across anyone having an issue like this. I'm curious if anyone has any possible ideas on possible causes. Here is what the log reads; green is RPM, red is AFR. Happy to provide the Eugene log file if needed.
S5 t2 streetport running on Adaptronic 440 select universal, stock cas, new engine wiring harness.
I happened to catch this anomaly while datalogging for my tuner and dug into the problem a little more. According to the log, the ecu is losing rpm signal completely, which is followed by a lean spike in the AFRs, which would be normal if it thinks the engine isn't running. Thinking it may be the CAS at fault, I replaced it this weekend but I'm still having the same issue. The wiring harness is all new but I will be doing a continuity check between the CAS and the ECU when I have time.
I've searched endlessly and did not come across anyone having an issue like this. I'm curious if anyone has any possible ideas on possible causes. Here is what the log reads; green is RPM, red is AFR. Happy to provide the Eugene log file if needed.
S5 t2 streetport running on Adaptronic 440 select universal, stock cas, new engine wiring harness.
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Premiumriceonly (05-12-21)
#3
This could totally be in my head, too, but it seems to happen most when driving on a slight incline when the engines under more load. It does point back to vibration. I will do a continuity check on the connectors this weekend and try wiggling them around a bit. I'm thinking there might be a bad crimp on one of the terminals or one of the pins not inserted 100% into the connector somewhere.
#4
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Could probably also re-check your grounding points to make sure everything is tightly and properly grounded. And also the CAS plug(s) to make sure its not loose.
Could also have the car idling while parked and start shaking wires like CAS plug, etc and see if happens to see if there is a short or loose connection.
Could also have the car idling while parked and start shaking wires like CAS plug, etc and see if happens to see if there is a short or loose connection.
#6
Could probably also re-check your grounding points to make sure everything is tightly and properly grounded. And also the CAS plug(s) to make sure its not loose.
Could also have the car idling while parked and start shaking wires like CAS plug, etc and see if happens to see if there is a short or loose connection.
Could also have the car idling while parked and start shaking wires like CAS plug, etc and see if happens to see if there is a short or loose connection.
Edit: the grounds for the CAS (2 of them by my findings) ground to the ECU's sensor ground terminal. That doesn't 100% rule out grounding issues, but does mean they aren't just going to some random chassis point that could be affected by ground offsets. I know there must be a splice internally in the aftermarket harness I have because multiple sensors need to ground to this terminal (ECU only has 2 sensor grounds IIRC) so that could be a potential fail point I suppose. Im not too thrilled about the idea of removing and cutting apart the harness to get to it.
Last edited by Premiumriceonly; 05-23-21 at 11:45 PM.
#7
This past weekend I re-gapped the sensors in the cas just because and replaced the harness side of the cas connector-still having the same issue and starting to lose patience.
My tuner did have a good point in suggesting I test for any continuity between the sensor grounds and the chassis that would indicate a short, which I'm going to do next chance I have a minute to work on the car.
I'm running out of theories here as to what could be causing it. The only other thing I could do is run all new wires from the ecu to the cas.
My tuner did have a good point in suggesting I test for any continuity between the sensor grounds and the chassis that would indicate a short, which I'm going to do next chance I have a minute to work on the car.
I'm running out of theories here as to what could be causing it. The only other thing I could do is run all new wires from the ecu to the cas.
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#9
Thanks for the suggestion unfortunately I'm on the 440 universal which *I believe* does not have the scope feature. From some quick research it looks like it comes on the models above mine and the newer modular ECUs. I'm no expert though so please correct me if I'm wrong.
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Premiumriceonly (06-15-21)
#11
Rotary Freak
iTrader: (8)
Thanks for the suggestion unfortunately I'm on the 440 universal which *I believe* does not have the scope feature. From some quick research it looks like it comes on the models above mine and the newer modular ECUs. I'm no expert though so please correct me if I'm wrong.
Tricky situation to be in. A second pair of hands to shake some wiring around while the car is idling and see if you can recreate the issue?
#13
A few people I was bouncing ideas off of pointed out my spark plug wires were a little on the aggressive side and may be causing EMI, so I have some new ones on the way that I still plan to try out as a last ditch effort this weekend. If that doesn't work I suppose I have a big decision to make...
#15
Well unfortunate update here. I replaced all of the cas wiring this weekend (new connector, new shielded cable grounded at the eco sensor ground only) and the problem still persists, so at this point it has to be an issue with the ECU itself.
I bought it brand new when I started my build 4-5 years ago so Adaptronic won't do anything for me or even look at it because it's an outdated model. Pretty disappointing to hear and I'm now out $2k and countless hours. I will most likely pony up the money for a Haltech and will not be recommending Adaptronic to anyone in the future.
I bought it brand new when I started my build 4-5 years ago so Adaptronic won't do anything for me or even look at it because it's an outdated model. Pretty disappointing to hear and I'm now out $2k and countless hours. I will most likely pony up the money for a Haltech and will not be recommending Adaptronic to anyone in the future.
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Premiumriceonly (07-12-21)
#17
Did you sell your old ecu when you got the new one? I'm conflicted about what to do with mine now. There may be a chance it could potentially work for someone else with a different setup and it would be nice to recoup a couple hunny to soften the blow of the new Haltech I bought, but I absolutely do not want to screw the next person over and sell this to them if it has an issue.
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Premiumriceonly (07-24-21)
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