Power Mode Selection - Page 7

svxistentialist · #91 04-05-2008, 05:12 PM

The later cars don't switch on the Power light, but I don't think this applies to your '94.

Can you confirm you have OBD1, with the diagnostic blocks in the footwell?

The first thing to look for would be to check that your bulb is OK behind the Power position inside the clocks. If that bulb was blown you definitely would see no change.

The next thing to check would be that you have selected the exact and correct pin.

There are three connectors into the TCU. The one we are dealing with here has 20 slots. Did you count the slots to ensure you are connecting into the right place?

If in fact you have connected to the correct pin A4 and it is not lighting the Power bulb, the next thing to triple check would be that you have indeed earthed to a good chassis ground.

If you have done all this it should work. If it does not work I would suspect a problem with your TCU.

Joe

redlightningsvx · #92 04-05-2008, 05:16 PM

It is obd1 and the power light comes on when I mash the gas. I hooked it up exactly how it's shown in the pics but still no power light. But what really gets me is that if it is the tcu then why doesn't the tranny act up?

b3lha · #93 04-05-2008, 05:25 PM

Before you did the mod, did the power mode normally come on when you floor the gas? If not, check the transmission codes. [edit: I see you already answered that. Since the power mode works when you mash the gas, that rules out a lot of possible causes.]

Otherwise, check again you have the right pin. Connect a wire to the it, use a voltmeter to check the other end of the wire reads approx 5v and then ground the wire. Check the manual button and cruise control are off and try the gearstick in each position just in case your inhibitor switch is dodgy.

svxistentialist · #94 04-05-2008, 05:28 PM

Seth

Yours is OBD1 as expected. You know the Power light is working as normal. All this is good.

After this the only thing that can be wrong is the wire you put in is not actually grounding A4.

There can only be 3 explanations for this I can think of:

1) You connected the earth to the wrong connector.

2) Where you inserted the wire into presumably the correct place you have not made a good connection.

3) Where you have earthed or grounded the wire is not a good connection, or there is voltage there.

There is another slight possibility, you may have used so light a wire you fried it and connection is lost.

I honestly don't think there is anything wrong with your TCU. If there was it would blink I'd imagine.

You need to recheck that you have pin A4 grounded.

BTW, when you ground it, with the ignition ON you will see Power lit up. You should be able to check this and see this as soon as you plug the 20 pin connector back into the TCU. The way I figure it if your Power light is not shown at this stage, A4 is not grounded.

Joe

svxistentialist · #95 04-05-2008, 05:30 PM

Ah Phil, I see you are also on.

I forgot about the Manual button. If the Manual button is on, Power mode can't work.

As Seth mentioned his Power mode was working I presumed he did not have Manual engaged.

Joe

redlightningsvx · #96 04-05-2008, 05:34 PM

I'm using 14g wire for this so I know it's not the wire. I'll go outside and check once more and take readings then report the progress. thanks for the help so far.

redlightningsvx · #97 04-05-2008, 05:57 PM

I feel stupid i was grounding the wrong thing but anyway on my A4 slot on the connector there is a white/red wire going into it. So sould I cut this and ground?

svxistentialist · #98 04-05-2008, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redlightningsvx

I feel stupid i was grounding the wrong thing but anyway on my A4 slot on the connector there is a white/red wire going into it. So sould I cut this and ground?

No way Jose!!

Cut nothing for the present.

Measure twice, cut once!

The A4 slot in the correct connector will be empty. You may be reading 4 from the wrong side!

Check this picture:

Make sure what you are plugging in to is exactly the same as here.

Joe

redlightningsvx · #99 04-05-2008, 06:39 PM

Ok I give up. I even hooked it up to the A4 pin and grounded it goodand no power light stays on when I start it.

processengr · #**100** 04-05-2008, 06:40 PM

Hi,
Where is A6 on that picture? I want to swap A6 into A4 to change the manual tranny button into the power button. I will try to measure the terminal while I have it ouit of the connector, and see if can find them in the Newark Electronics catalog. Eventually, I would like to add a switch to go between manual op and power op...

b3lha · #**101** 04-05-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by processengr

Hi,
Where is A6 on that picture? I want to swap A6 into A4 to change the manual tranny button into the power button. I will try to measure the terminal while I have it ouit of the connector, and see if can find them in the Newark Electronics catalog. Eventually, I would like to add a switch to go between manual op and power op...

A6 is the brown/black two positions across from A4.

svxistentialist · #**102** 04-05-2008, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by processengr

Hi,
Where is A6 on that picture? I want to swap A6 into A4 to change the manual tranny button into the power button. I will try to measure the terminal while I have it ouit of the connector, and see if can find them in the Newark Electronics catalog. Eventually, I would like to add a switch to go between manual op and power op...

That sounds good Gordon.

Please keep us posted on progress.

Joe

Nomake Wan · #**103** 04-05-2008, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redlightningsvx

Ok I give up. I even hooked it up to the A4 pin and grounded it goodand no power light stays on when I start it.

The power light does not stay on upon starting. The power light only comes on once the gearshift has been placed in D.

Double-check your connections... if it's not working, it's either the wrong pin or the ground you're connecting to isn't actually grounded.

processengr: That's a great idea!! I should've thought of that!

processengr · #**104** 04-06-2008, 04:10 PM

Well, I went under the dash today with my reading glasses, hemostat, jewler's screwdriver, and picture of connector printed out...after 1/2 hr of being upside down, I settled for running a wire from A4 to ground. I 'm going to blame the arthrititus for my lack of patience...usually I can figure out how to release sockets from connector bodies...
If anyone has released the the contacts from this connector, tell me how, and I'll try it again...

Well, now to the test drive in power mode....Awesome! I definately need to wire in a switch of one type or the other. Bang for buck, this is the best mod yet!!!
I have done some other low cost mods, I've done the resistor crush, removed intake resonator, removed battery cables and relearned the ECU "aggressively" etc. But i like this one best for the cost...

svxistentialist · #**105** 04-06-2008, 04:28 PM

Excellent Gordon.

I'm glad it is a success and you like the results.

Remember though, put in a switch if you can. Switching it off during a long distance highway run in D4 will improve mpg, and keep the ATF oil cooler as well.

It is good, though, is it not?

Joe