Running SUPER rich....suggestions?

[alexandermf]

Maci-we got the super rich problem fixed! But I'm still running rich (17+) just idleing in drive.... With that code popping up here and there

[alexandermf]

just pulled fuse 14 until i leave for work which is about an hour, ill see if that helps! if i still see weird rich afr in idle and light cruising with 41 popping back up ill def shoot for pullnpay tomorrow for a maf and 02 sensor... hoping that this fuse 14 will clear the ecu entire memory and get rid of the bad fuel trims like you said josh, makes alot of sense!

[alexandermf]

i also have a spare ecu i can throw into it as well if you recommend that before trying a used maf and 02sensor

[alexandermf]

Left fuse 14 out for an hour the code hasn't come back so far... But at idle in drive my idle will drop to around 500 and be super choppy/feels like it wants to die. The afr bounce from 17-18 to flat where the gauge doesnt even read/measure. This happens on 8/10 stops at lights or stop signs etc.

Edit:light came on a minute after I posted this

[alexandermf]

Update: the idle gets much worse when I turn my headlights on.. obviously more battery consumption but noticeably different in running!

[matt00rs25]

is it charging at 14v?

[alexandermf]

Idk ill have to check at home.. it's a brand new yellow optima though and never had problems till the 41 code

[alexandermf]

The headlight issue is gone, only happened once,weird. I'm still having a heavy and choppy idle around 500rpms with 18afr.. code still poppin up

[Legacy777]

I would suggest checking and maybe adding some additional wiring for your battery grounds. You really don't need to get super crazy. Just a good new wire from the battery to the chassis, from the battery to the starter, and from the battery to the ECU ground point on the back driver's side corner of the intake manifold.

Try that and see if that helps. If it doesn't I'd start with the O2 sensor. You can try disconnecting the O2 sensor wire and see if that helps and your AFR's stay consistent.

Also, are you running the stock bypass valve? Are you positive there are no intake leaks any where?

[alexandermf]

Stock sti bpv. Leaks from the bpv? And also just found out my yellow top is only at 500cca so I'm gonna go try and take it back... I've NEVER had problems with optima so I'm super surprised

Ill get the better ground issue worked out tomorrow, is my shitty grounds causing the optima to drain or did a cell possibly just go bad?

[alexandermf]

No leaks,code still random on and off, got a used maf and gonna get a used o2 sensor, the idle is getting very bad!! Bouncing from 500-750 and feeling like it wants to die. battery checked out fine

[robertpaige]

Yes, the BPV can leak internally due to a bad spring. If you take it off you should check it to make sure it's not bad.

[alexandermf]

Hmm I have noticed the bpv slightly flutters under higher boost instead up a straight gush of air at once, would that seem to show a weak/bad spring and cause the horrible idle? That would make sense, how do I inspect the spring physically to check if it's bad or good besides that flutter noise I'm hearing which its never done before

[sqc151]

thanks for this usefull thread.

[Alphius]

Try taking the BPV off and plugging the hoses that go into it.

[alexandermf]

If I plug it where is the air going to recirc/vent into? I just posted up a wtb on my local Scooby forum for another.. theyre cheap and I figured mines bad if the spring is giving so easily and that flutter from the bpv started around the same time as the funky idle. Helpful because others are having similar problems or was that sarcasm? Just curious lol

[alexandermf]

But its weird... I'd say on any city drive with fair share of stops this funky idle will happen about 80% of the time, it gets better in neutral or park but I can still tell its slightly there. It will come if there's no code on or not as well. It sends the wideband into 18+ afr where it flat lines and just doesnt even read. Obviously I'd rather be running rich than lean but I def need to fix this sporadic, random shitty idle. Ill start tomorrow by unplugging the o2 sensor and seeing if that affects my afr readings. Then maf, then who knows

[CAV3MAN227]

-I think you planned this meet a little to early. Seems like your having quite a few issues still. Lets hold off on the meet for a while or plan it further in advance. Hope you get everything figured out.

-I wouldn't change the MAF to anything else but the one you already have unless you have some kind of piggyback... PP6, Rob tune, etc.
-A diamond coil pack may help with the idle, if you don't already have one, I don't remember if you do.
-I'd like to help but your to far away for me atm. But you pass me every time you go up to Slodrive. Thornton Parkway exit off I-25.

-Joe

[Alphius]

18+ AFR is very lean.
I would say you have a vacuum leak.

If you block off the BPV hoses and drive it around the block a few times you won't hurt anything and it will rule it out as a problem without you having to spend any money.

[alexandermf]

Lol I'm ready for a meet whenever... Running rich won't stop me from a subie meet, ill have it figured out in a week I'm sure I have another oem maf to replace with and like I said ill try the o2 sensor thing. If not ill just take it to Greg but I'm sure I can handle it

I did then put my stock one on, ill kook for the diamond lying somewhere around my garage.

[Alphius]

Over 14.7 on the wideband is lean, not rich.

[alexandermf]

Oh oh...so at idle when its reading 17+ off the gauge that's super lean? I must've had them mixed up then. That's not good for sure! I may have to bring it up to Greg one more time if my engine is at stake

[alexandermf]

Unplugged my o2 sensor for idle drove for a good five mins...no change,still those horrible afr and shitty idle

Guessing that points me to there before trying a diff maf. Or possibly a combo between the o2 sensor and possibly leaky bpv?

my order of op will be as follows after clearing my codes and doing a dcheck which came up with 41 and 51 which is the faulty learning a/f control and abnormal input/voltage from nuetral switch, looks like ill be going to pullnpay again today to grab a tranny nuetral switch off an NA auto and then ill start with swapping my maf(which is the easiest to try), if that doesnt work ill go to cleaning my iac and then from there o2 sensor...

seem reasonable?

[Alphius]

Sounds good to me. You should also check for vacuum leaks after the MAF, that is what will typically cause a MAF vehicle to run lean. The BPV allowing air through at idle wouldn't cause an extra lean condition.

[alexandermf]

Well its been a super rocky mountain high productive day for me and the leggo! List of shit done:

Took all door panels off and degreased all window tracks and regreased,all my windows all work like brand new! Took lots of pictures to make a diy for everyone with creaky/slow/uneven sliding windows. This shit took me about two hours taking extra special time cleaning all window track and parts connected

Hammered out some door dings

Took all speakers out and bought brand new ones, need to make some brackets so the new ones can be properly mounted

Replaced my maf with a na, mt one AND cleaned/sanded all factory grounds(going to add the one josh recommends tomorrow to the ecu ground or whatever) and checked for any vac leaks(no leaks). My car is officially not running lean and no more funky idle!! Running great afr numbers and I def notice better throttle response/no hesitation at all

The cel hasn't come on yet but ill clear codes and dcheck tomorrow and see if 41 or 51 come back