Apex Power FC Problem on my Altezza, **FIXED**

[Titties]

I got my Power FC from Japan and tried to install it.

Serial number on Power FC is "PFC SXE10 020-0361"
Part number is "414-T006" (which is correct for 98 altezza Non turbo)
Serial number on the FC commander is "FCC3 020-24295"

Car will not start.
When plugged in and when ignition set to ON:
-Radiator Fans power up
-Fuel pump starts
-Engine check light on (should be off)
-FC Commander does NOT power up (should be on)
-Injectors 1 and 3 are on
-Cylinders 1 and 3 full completely with fuel
-Car will not start due to hydrolic lock in cylinders 1 and 3.

-Car starts and runs normally with stock ECU plugged in once the fuel has drained into the sump.


So here is my problem...
Is the ECU broken?
Is there something i'm doing wrong?
Is there addition wiring that i need to do for this ECU to run that i dont know about?

I'm going to open it up and see if there is any visually damaged components.

Well, time to get drunk tonight and drown my sorrows!!!

Cheers, Mike

[fivebob]

Sounds like the ECU is fried, or may not be compatible with your car's wiring loom. Seems that ECU is for a 98/10 onwards SXE10 with manual transmission. Does that match your car exactly?

Commander should be part #415-T005 or 415-X001. Have you tried connecting it without the commander attached?

[mr30%jr]

yea sounds like something grounding out your injectors plug in play is dodgy

[Titties]

Sounds like the ECU is fried, or may not be compatible with your car's wiring loom. Seems that ECU is for a 98/10 onwards SXE10 with manual transmission. Does that match your car exactly?

Commander should be part #415-T005 or 415-X001. Have you tried connecting it without the commander attached?

Yes it matches my car exactly.
It does the same if the commander is or is not plugged in.
The fuel pump runs even when the car ignition is off and the key removed. Only once i've turned the ignition to ON then off though, not as soon as i connect the battery.

[fivebob]

All those symptoms imply that the associated pins are earthed (they all switch to earth to activate). Sounds like the ECU might be fried.

[ST205 GT4 NZ New Group A]

Does it have any rpm limit dialed in, some people wit PFC set min and max RPM so the car will not run as an extra security measure ????

[fivebob]

Does it have any rpm limit dialed in, some people wit PFC set min and max RPM so the car will not run as an extra security measure ????

Nah this is more secure than that, filling the cylinders with fuel so it won't run... now that's security

[Titties]

Does it have any rpm limit dialed in, some people wit PFC set min and max RPM so the car will not run as an extra security measure ????

yeah the hand controller doesn't even power up... which if there is something wrong with the earthing system in the ECU would make sense.
If i got time i'll open it up 2mrw and see what i can find, i might stumble apon something.

Cheers, Mike

P.S. And the worst part about it, this happened to me on thursday, so i bought a new battery for it. Turns out all you need to do is wait for the fuel to drain down (standard ECU back in) then it'll run again, who would have thought lol.
So yeah, ran around on thursday night and friday with prob half a litre of fuel in the oil system... Guess i wont need to flush my oil when i change it

[sergei]

I would suggest you to change oil after you fix the issue, aslo I would not recommend leaving that oil-gas mix for long time in the sump as it will react with seals and sealants in that concentration.

[Distrb]

Does anyone know the difference between the power fc's made for n/a running, and that made for use with boost?

other than the fact that the turbo one can use the ECU to control the boost of required. And also that the base maps may not be suitable

[barryogen]

Does anyone know the difference between the power fc's made for n/a running, and that made for use with boost?

From what I have read, not a lot.
Rumour has it that the one made for the 2zz-ge you can simply wire the MAP from a supra into the factory MAF wires, re-calibrate it and it works. All the anti-lag and boost settings are all there in the NA ECU anyway.

I havent been able to find anything confirming this other than internet forums, but this sort of info doesn't tend to be found in too many places other than forums.

[Titties]

I tried the Power FC on a friends Altezza today (same model), and the Hand controller didn't power up.
I didn't bother trying to start the car (i removed the EFI relay so that his engine didn't get fulled with Fuel).
So i guess i'm just going to have to send the unit back to Japan, hopefully i can claim it on Warranty basis and they dont sting me because it went out of the country and i tried to install it myself.

On the engine side, i have changed the oil/filter and it appears to be going fine.
I'm changing the oil again tonight, after going for a good drive this afternoon.
Just to make sure i have flushed all the fuel out of the oil system.

Cheers, Mike

[Titties]

Problem Fixed.

There was 2x missing earths from the ECU loom.
I have no idea how the standard ECU was running without them.

Hooked these up to earth (i tested them via my mates Altezza) and away the Power FC went.

Thanks to David @ Torque Performance for the hint/advice.

Cheers, Mike

[mjrstar]

quote]
Nah this is more secure than that, filling the cylinders with fuel so it won't run... now that's security [/quote]

maybe i am going mad but that comment totally cracked me up, maybe it was the mental picture of someone selling this type of 'security' system on tardme