SC 3.0 needs some help ASAP

[Maverick]

well my car hasnt been running great lately.

just got back from a garage after an intake mani leak test. no leaks, that's good.
didn't check if I have a bent fuel rail because my mechanic refuses to spray starter fluid on the injectors.

so on the way home, CEL blinks like crazy. no blown CPs here!!!!!

I just let the car cruise, luckily, I was very close home. the A/F is dead on 18

here are the codes I got and I am so pissed after dumping all the $$$ and here is what I get in return.

19 Faults Found:
16826 - EVAP Emission Control Sys: Small Leak
P0442 - 001 - Upper Limit Exceeded

17511 - Oxygen (Lambda) Sensor Heating: B1 S1: Performance too Low
P1103 - 008 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent

17550 - Load Calculation Cross Check: Lower Limit Exceeded
P1142 - 002 - Lower Limit Exceeded - Intermittent

16485 - Mass Air Flow Sensor (G70): Implausible Signal
P0101 - 008 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent

16684 - Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P0300 - 001 - Upper Limit Exceeded

16685 - Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
P0301 - 002 - Lower Limit Exceeded - Intermittent

16686 - Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
P0302 - 002 - Lower Limit Exceeded - Intermittent

16687 - Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
P0303 - 002 - Lower Limit Exceeded - Intermittent

17537 - Fuel Trim: Bank 2 (Mult): System too Rich
P1129 - 002 - Lower Limit Exceeded

17535 - Fuel Trim: Bank 1 (Mult): System too Rich
P1127 - 002 - Lower Limit Exceeded - Intermittent

17547 - Fuel Trim: Bank 2 (Add): System too Rich
P1139 - 002 - Lower Limit Exceeded - Intermittent

17545 - Fuel Trim: Bank 1 (Add): System too Rich
P1137 - 002 - Lower Limit Exceeded - Intermittent

16514 - Oxygen (Lambda) Sensor B1 S1: Malfunction in Circuit
P0130 - 008 - Implausible Signal

16689 - Cylinder 5 Misfire Detected
P0305 - 001 - Upper Limit Exceeded

17522 - Oxygen (Lambda) Sensor: B1 S2: Internal Resistance too High
P1114 - 008 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent

16690 - Cylinder 6 Misfire Detected
P0306 - 001 - Upper Limit Exceeded

17548 - Oxygen (Lambda) Sensor: B2 S2: Internal Resistance too High
P1140 - 008 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent

16544 - Oxygen (Lambda) Sensor B2 S2: No Activity
P0160 - 004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent

16688 - Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected
P0304 - 001 - Upper Limit Exceeded

[ThreePointOhh]

holy shit...

[PCYC]

Dude that sucks

[Ill 3.0]

what do you mean A/F is 18? 18:1?? If you have no leaks, almost has to be an issue with the fueling somewhere.

[Maverick]

18:1 is toooooo lean

I am not gonna drive the car, rental for a while

[ThreePointOhh]

do you need bigger injectors ? fuel pump?

[A4ringedONE8T]

You can use carb cleaner around the injectors too to test for a leak, it will change the idle enough for you to notice it and will not hurt anything

[Maverick]

Shawn, I will do that.
the injectors are new though.
I just need to find out if I have a bent fuel rail.
but why the fuck is my engine misfiring on all cylinders, this is too fucked up.

[A4ringedONE8T]

Shawn, I will do that.
the injectors are new though.
I just need to find out if I have a bent fuel rail.
but why the fuck is my engine misfiring on all cylinders, this is too fucked up.

Misfires are due to the combination of the lean/rich conditions, and if you do have a leak near the injectors, it is most likely the injector seat, not the injector itself

[golgo13]

shawn you got pm.

[Maverick]

Misfires are due to the combination of the lean/rich conditions, and if you do have a leak near the injectors, it is most likely the injector seat, not the injector itself

when my car was misfiring, it was very very lean

[A4ringedONE8T]

when my car was misfiring, it was very very lean

That will do it. Also the MAF has a very important input at idle. The MAF implausible signal catches my attention. Try logging block 003 and see what flow readings you are getting at idle. If they are either 0's or big numbers, thats part of your problem. Where are you getting the 18:1 A/F from? Vagcom or a wideband? Verify that both are showing the same readings if possible

With a large amount of codes, I usually note them down and disregard them honestly. Clear the codes, restart the car and let it idle for 2-3 min, then recheck the codes. The ones causing the issues are typically the first ones to return. With no performance affecting codes, they will usually return only after at least 3 key cycles. Many are caused by ECU checks that are triggered randomly via key cycles and not by actual issues causing your problem. If it is causing an idle/driveability problem the code will come back immediately

[Maverick]

That will do it. Also the MAF has a very important input at idle. The MAF implausible signal catches my attention. Try logging block 003 and see what flow readings you are getting at idle. If they are either 0's or big numbers, thats part of your problem. Where are you getting the 18:1 A/F from? Vagcom or a wideband? Verify that both are showing the same readings if possible

With a large amount of codes, I usually note them down and disregard them honestly. Clear the codes, restart the car and let it idle for 2-3 min, then recheck the codes. The ones causing the issues are typically the first ones to return. With no performance affecting codes, they will usually return only after at least 3 key cycles. Many are caused by ECU checks that are triggered randomly via key cycles and not by actual issues causing your problem. If it is causing an idle/driveability problem the code will come back immediately

I measured block 15 and 16 while the car was idling, 15 i think it was 0.
16 is was 1 and 0 0 0 .

I will do logs again.
what do you suggest on how I can fix the misfire.
It's driving me nuts now

[Maverick]

measurement block 015 and 016 at idle

[BSIXER]

I thought maint. was cheaper on a modded vehicle?

[Maverick]

I thought maint. was cheaper on a modded vehicle?

it's not a good time to bring that topic up man! just wish me luck

[dougyfresh]

Are you logging your car when this is happening? Plug your laptop in and log the car when you are driving. Press "go" and press "stop" once you have reached your destination. I have close to 5,000miles of logs from the first 5,000miles of my 2.0L. It'll help better understand what is going on (albeit you have a shitload of data to review).

[Maverick]

doug, I didn't do that. I only logged once.
I know I should have.
first off I never knew that the PES tune is that crappy, it was worse than I thought. I knew they had a bad tune but damn.

the car is mechanically fine, brand new a lot of things. I have no leaks for sure, maybe fueling issues.

I just know the car is a little rich while cruising and lean when I am on boost.

[dougyfresh]

PES tune has always been lean under boost. It is common knowledge.

When do you think you can get your car down to LI? I would drive it as little as possible until you can get a new tune.

Think about it, you spend $XXXX on hardware and you've got software that is worse than a Mika tune for a 1.8 (well, that is my assumption) and you are driving around and getting into boost. Asking for trouble. I don't mean to be lecturing you for I'm sure you are fully aware of this, but it pains me to see these DTCs and the issues you describe whilst you and I both knowing that your tune is shit.

My tune was not complete. Under full boost and WOT I would go super rich and the car would studder (sp?). My answer? Run low boost and pull back timing advance until I could get a new tune. That is safe for my car and safe for my new engine.

Be patient but persistent. Good things will come. You are going down an avenue that many will want to follow. Do it right the first time and be conservative when it makes perfect sense.

If I can help don't hesitate to PM me. I'm partway from Boston and LI.

[Maverick]

well thanks Doug.

I am driving the car very very gentley now. I don't let it pass 3K RPM. maybe I should jump into a rental and let my car be parked for 1 week or 2.
I don't let the car hit boost at all. under 3K rpm the car is just like a normal 3.0 but of course it has more power and torque now

[Maverick]

when I get all the hardwares and stuff, I can go down to LI next week I think .

[dougyfresh]

well thanks Doug.

I am driving the car very very gentley now. I don't let it pass 3K RPM. maybe I should jump into a rental and let my car be parked for 1 week or 2.
I don't let the car hit boost at all. under 3K rpm the car is just like a normal 3.0 but of course it has more power and torque now

Rental? ouch. I didn't realize this was your only vehicle. If I had my Avant back I'd say we could work something out so you can borrow my Jeep.

Yeah. Keep the RPMs low and if you have a boost gauge watch and keep boost low if not keep the car in vacuum. I used to play that game in my Avant on the highway at times to maximize fuel economy and to give me something to do while driving many hours. Its hard when you've got a motor like mine. You just want to step on the gas.

[Maverick]

lol, thanks Doug.
you missed my teaser thread I guess. I have A/F gauge with Innovate LC1 wideband, Oil Pressure and boost gauge also from Innovate.
I am watching all the gauges and my RPM and my CEL closely.
I do a lot of highway driving, most of the time I am just feathering the gas so it's not taht bad. I have got much patient lately than before.

btw, I am spraying water/meth now so my engine is a little cooler so the misfire doesnt do that much harm to my engine. oil cooler that I have, it helps as well.
I am thinking of getting a rental car. I know I probably need a sh*t box to beat on.

I am thinking of buying a truck so I can do plowing in snow storms but no money around at all!

[dougyfresh]

lol, thanks Doug.
you missed my teaser thread I guess. I have A/F gauge with Innovate LC1 wideband, Oil Pressure and boost gauge also from Innovate.
I am watching all the gauges and my RPM and my CEL closely.
I do a lot of highway driving, most of the time I am just feathering the gas so it's not taht bad. I have got much patient lately than before.

btw, I am spraying water/meth now so my engine is a little cooler so the misfire doesnt do that much harm to my engine. oil cooler that I have, it helps as well.
I am thinking of getting a rental car. I know I probably need a sh*t box to beat on.

I am thinking of buying a truck so I can do plowing in snow storms but no money around at all!

Yeah. be light on that gas pedal.


There is a VW MKII GTI for sale near my work. I drive past it every day. White. I think asking price is $2k but we can talk them down. Recaro seats . Depending on funding it is an option as a beater.

My '99 Jeep Cherokee is my beater. Bought it for $1500 from a good friend of mine. I needed something just in case when I had my motor out of my Avant (even though I rode my bike most of the time). Just sucks gas down like a circus seal.

[Maverick]

Yeah. be light on that gas pedal.


There is a VW MKII GTI for sale near my work. I drive past it every day. White. I think asking price is $2k but we can talk them down. Recaro seats . Depending on funding it is an option as a beater.

My '99 Jeep Cherokee is my beater. Bought it for $1500 from a good friend of mine. I needed something just in case when I had my motor out of my Avant (even though I rode my bike most of the time). Just sucks gas down like a circus seal.

lol, I will look into that. my old school's bus driver sit on the Recaro driver seat everyday.

I will rent a mustang V6 for a few days. haven't touched a RWD car for a long time, will be fun .

[BSIXER]

it's not a good time to bring that topic up man! just wish me luck

Sorry man, I hope you figure your bugs out...have you talked to PES or to 3.0King. They may be able to help you.

[Maverick]

I won't even waste my time with PES.
3.0King is hard to get a hold of becuase he is busy, I understand, but he is there to help me when I need.
things will get better, not worse
I am not gonna quit fighting

[Ill 3.0]

I'm not sure your problems are all due to the software. Some people have reported misfires from PES software but nothing like you have. Craig's car shares the same hardware and software, correct? You really need to figure out what is going on before you look into tuning a motor that is not working properly. Anyway, I'm pulling for you and hope it gets sorted out.

[Maverick]

I'm not sure your problems are all due to the software. Some people have reported misfires from PES software but nothing like you have. Craig's car shares the same hardware and software, correct? You really need to figure out what is going on before you look into tuning a motor that is not working properly. Anyway, I'm pulling for you and hope it gets sorted out.

Tyler, I am doing this on my own, I hope you know what I mean.
there is no leaks in the motor. I am not sure what is causing the problem then.

my car is sensitive to temperature, moisture level in the air, and other things. anyway, I am going to do what I need to do.

thanks, shoot me an email if you need to talk with me

[PCYC]

whoa ive been following sounds rough good luck mav

[T0M3K]

When I saw your codes, my jaw dropped, you must have balls to do that investment.
I think I will give up on S/C and just admit my A4 will never be fast.
Did you post on SCAudi? There may be some people with more experience in that field.

[skeeball]

I'm not sure your problems are all due to the software. Some people have reported misfires from PES software but nothing like you have. Craig's car shares the same hardware and software, correct? You really need to figure out what is going on before you look into tuning a motor that is not working properly. Anyway, I'm pulling for you and hope it gets sorted out.

^^ I'm in agreement. I've had plenty to say about PES tunes, but you've got bigger issues. Do you have the downpipes on or are you running cats? Which side is your LC-1 on? About how many miles was it running fine until it started misfiring?

[nimski62]

Is the resistor in the maf wires, wired right?

[T0M3K]

Any updates on it?

[tj19855]

Wow, How many miles??? Maybe Vacum leak causing misfires, depending on yours miles catalytic converters need to be replaced, does you exhaust smell dirty? Prolly need new oxygen sensors also. Your looking to spend alot $$ for repairs

[Splattj]

Did you replace one of the stock O2 sensors with the Innovate? It sounds like it may be bad if it's stuck on 18:1 and not fluctuating. If you do an open-air calibration it should tell you a lot. If that's not the problem, the MAF code may explain everything. You may have a bad MAF or a wiring problem. From the volume of the codes you're getting, I'd be checking the wiring harness in the engine bay.