Lancer overhaul - Project Phoenix

razor4077 · 2nd April 2008, 11:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford Rocam

@ Razor Have you tried your ECU in another Lancer? I assume you using correct OEM ECU Part#, Year/Revision which came as original in your car with the engine.

No, we did it the other way around (other Lancer's ECU in my car). I think that should be conclusive enough, right?

And yes, it's the OEM ECU, that has not been touched since the car was bought.

Now for the bad news. Turns out that the ECU costs close to 25k at HM. The sensor (which is the Boost sensor, and not MAF sensor) costs ~9k.
Not sure what to do now.

Ford Rocam · 2nd April 2008, 11:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by razor4077

No, we did it the other way around (other Lancer's ECU in my car). I think that should be conclusive enough, right?

You never know, but doing that test will give you 100% confirmation if ECU is really at a fault.

Its up to you...

moralfibre · 2nd April 2008, 14:23

Razor, give me the ECU details. I don't think a standalone ECU would be the right way to go. Save for a MIVEC now.

spadival · 2nd April 2008, 14:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by razor4077

Now for the bad news. Turns out that the ECU costs close to 25k at HM. The sensor (which is the Boost sensor, and not MAF sensor) costs ~9k.
Not sure what to do now.

Thought as much. Was really surprised when you mentioned 8k figure for the OEM ECU. Have you tried asking the HM people if they can "reflash" your ECU to the factory setting? I am just guessing there isnt anything physically wrong with the ECU for it to perform the way it does now.

Vid6639 · 2nd April 2008, 21:57

Can anyone explain how a ECU can be defective without showing up any warning lights? Has the mileage dropped with the original ECU?

iraghava · 2nd April 2008, 23:53

Also, the sensor is not Boost or MAF, it's the MAP sensor.

Razor - Confirm & clear all doubts before you take any further steps.

razor4077 · 3rd April 2008, 00:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by vid6639

Can anyone explain how a ECU can be defective without showing up any warning lights? Has the mileage dropped with the original ECU?

No clue about the warning lights. In fact, I had a scan done on the car a few days back at HM. Showed nothing wrong with the ECU, or any sensor. From what I was told about the MAP sensor, it's almost binary in nature... either it works, or it doesn't - no error code is thrown for a sub-optimal sensor.
The ECU is obviously working, because I have been driving the car around all these days. But it's not working 100% - that I saw after comparing the performance of another ECU.
This is a apparently a rarity, but it does happen. If someone has any explanation for a "sub-optimal" ECU, please do share it with us.

Regd the mileage, all I can say is that FE has been fairly low. I have not worried much about it since the engine was being run-in. But of late, it has been a concern (FE is definitely below 10 kpl).

Quote:

Originally Posted by iraghava

Also, the sensor is not Boost or MAF, it's the MAP sensor.

Yes, it's the MAP sensor. There is no MAF sensor on a Lancer. I called it "Boost Sensor" because that's what the HM people called it. Went through the service manual, but there is no such thing. The part is definitely the MAP sensor.

1100D · 3rd April 2008, 00:24

Can you try a MAF sensor only and discharge the ECU memory (Battery disconnection) to see if it does whats expected. Or is that an option that has already been done.

razor4077 · 3rd April 2008, 01:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1100D

Can you try a MAF sensor only and discharge the ECU memory (Battery disconnection) to see if it does whats expected. Or is that an option that has already been done.

If you mean MAP sensor, then yes, this option has already been tried. Just changing the sensor provided a marginal improvement, but it was the ECU that was the difference-maker.

razor4077 · 13th April 2008, 14:05

Here's some good news at last. The replacement ECU and MAP sensor arrived yesterday. My heartfelt gratitude to iraghava who located and shipped me the parts. These are used parts in good condition and the pair of them cost me 12k (as opposed to new ones which would have been close to 40k!). I have a week to test them and in case something is amiss, I have been given the option of returning or exchanging them.
Got them fitted in the late afternoon with a fair bit of nervous expectation since this was the missing piece that would hopefully make the basics right. To cut a long story short I think it did the trick! Car feels much smoother, revs better and feels "freer". Earlier, it felt throttled and restricted, especially at high revs- this has gone now! Did a fair amount of driving around to test the car, including a late night run with fellow bhpian Blackpearl. While the Lancer is still not as fast as his modded Baleno, the improvement is huge! I am pleased with the progress. Now that the basic setup is stable, I can start adding the mods gradually to see the improvement- filter, ffe and fuel pressure regulator. Watch this space

A special thanks to Satish, a friend of Viper's, who identified the ECU and sensor issues and suggested the change. Thank you sir!

shrivz · 13th April 2008, 15:11

Great news.. congrats!!

viper · 13th April 2008, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by razor4077

A special thanks to Satish, a friend of Viper's, who identified the ECU and sensor issues and suggested the change. Thank you sir!

Abhishek,

Am glad your problem is sorted out. Satish is very experienced and good at trouble shooting(especially where electronics are concerned) which is why I got him with me to Kolkatta. Shall convey your thanks to him.

Viper

redeye · 14th April 2008, 17:24

congrats buddy good to see your car is healthy again

BlackPearl · 14th April 2008, 17:45

Phoenix burned some serious rubber last night and oh boy I am amazed at the car's handling. It sure impressed me a lot and I think that she is in the best state of tune since I have seen her. Hopefully she will be even faster after the mods...

BlackPearl · 24th April 2008, 01:46

Congrats for the FFE. The end can is very good looking. did you try the triphase while returning?

2nd April 2008, 14:23	#528
moralfibre Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: MH-12 Posts: 8,452 Thanked: 13,975 Times	Razor, give me the ECU details. I don't think a standalone ECU would be the right way to go. Save for a MIVEC now.
	() Thanks

2nd April 2008, 21:57	#530
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,731 Thanked: 43,494 Times View My Garage	Can anyone explain how a ECU can be defective without showing up any warning lights? Has the mileage dropped with the original ECU?
	() Thanks

2nd April 2008, 23:53	#531
iraghava Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bhaiyyaland Posts: 8,033 Thanked: 265 Times View My Garage	Also, the sensor is not Boost or MAF, it's the MAP sensor. Razor - Confirm & clear all doubts before you take any further steps.
	() Thanks

3rd April 2008, 00:24	#533
1100D Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,390 Thanked: 4,096 Times View My Garage	Can you try a MAF sensor only and discharge the ECU memory (Battery disconnection) to see if it does whats expected. Or is that an option that has already been done.
	() Thanks

13th April 2008, 14:05	#535
razor4077 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,882 Thanked: 298 Times View My Garage	Here's some good news at last. The replacement ECU and MAP sensor arrived yesterday. My heartfelt gratitude to iraghava who located and shipped me the parts. These are used parts in good condition and the pair of them cost me 12k (as opposed to new ones which would have been close to 40k!). I have a week to test them and in case something is amiss, I have been given the option of returning or exchanging them. Got them fitted in the late afternoon with a fair bit of nervous expectation since this was the missing piece that would hopefully make the basics right. To cut a long story short I think it did the trick! Car feels much smoother, revs better and feels "freer". Earlier, it felt throttled and restricted, especially at high revs- this has gone now! Did a fair amount of driving around to test the car, including a late night run with fellow bhpian Blackpearl. While the Lancer is still not as fast as his modded Baleno, the improvement is huge! I am pleased with the progress. Now that the basic setup is stable, I can start adding the mods gradually to see the improvement- filter, ffe and fuel pressure regulator. Watch this space A special thanks to Satish, a friend of Viper's, who identified the ECU and sensor issues and suggested the change. Thank you sir!
	() Thanks

13th April 2008, 15:11	#536
shrivz BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pune, MH12 Posts: 604 Thanked: 96 Times View My Garage	Great news.. congrats!!
	() Thanks

14th April 2008, 17:24	#538
redeye BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 275 Thanked: 4 Times View My Garage	congrats buddy good to see your car is healthy again
	() Thanks

14th April 2008, 17:45	#539
BlackPearl Team-BHP Support Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Calcutta/London Posts: 3,608 Thanked: 16,998 Times View My Garage	Phoenix burned some serious rubber last night and oh boy I am amazed at the car's handling. It sure impressed me a lot and I think that she is in the best state of tune since I have seen her. Hopefully she will be even faster after the mods...
	() Thanks

24th April 2008, 01:46	#540
BlackPearl Team-BHP Support Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Calcutta/London Posts: 3,608 Thanked: 16,998 Times View My Garage	Congrats for the FFE. The end can is very good looking. did you try the triphase while returning?
	() Thanks