Check Engine Light On After Blower Install
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Leonardtown, MD
Check Engine Light On After Blower Install
I just finished installing a KB Supercharger on my 2001 F-150 5.4 and started it up to hear a nice whinning sound. I took the truck for a spin and the power is great but my check engine light has come on and I was also getting a little bit of pinging up above 4500 but after adding a bottle of 104 Octane Booster the ping has stoipped.
I went and got the code read and I am getting a lean condition in Banks 1 & 2.
I also put a gauge on and am seeing about 5psi at 2k and it rises up to 6.5 and then at 4800rpm's it shoots up to 8psi.
I'm assuming that this pinging is bing caused by the Lean condition.
After unpugging the battery it seems as though the light doesn't come on when you are only using a little boost, but when you get on it thats when it comes on.
Tonight I tried to see if I could find a vacumm leak by spraying Carb cleaner around the hoses and gaskets and the idle never changed. If there is no vacumm leak than what could be causing the light to come on?
I went and got the code read and I am getting a lean condition in Banks 1 & 2.
I also put a gauge on and am seeing about 5psi at 2k and it rises up to 6.5 and then at 4800rpm's it shoots up to 8psi.
I'm assuming that this pinging is bing caused by the Lean condition.
After unpugging the battery it seems as though the light doesn't come on when you are only using a little boost, but when you get on it thats when it comes on.
Tonight I tried to see if I could find a vacumm leak by spraying Carb cleaner around the hoses and gaskets and the idle never changed. If there is no vacumm leak than what could be causing the light to come on?
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fuel
How are you improving fuel delivery w/ KB kit? The ATI that I have comes with an FMU and an additional fuel pump. Those 2 components cause the injectors to squirt more fuel when under boost. Does KB have an FMU or larger injectors or a computer chip? Maybe one of those sub-systems is needing some troubleshooting.
When I first installed my ATI kit, the auxillary fuel pump wasn't working. I didn't know that at first. The problem was solved when I smashed the wire tap real hard with some channel lock pliers - that got a good splice into the 12V DC system for the additional fuel pump. Had I not double checked my work, I would have probably had the exact same lean-out you're getting.
You should talk to crash! and skid as well. tHey'll be your best supprt/help.
When I first installed my ATI kit, the auxillary fuel pump wasn't working. I didn't know that at first. The problem was solved when I smashed the wire tap real hard with some channel lock pliers - that got a good splice into the 12V DC system for the additional fuel pump. Had I not double checked my work, I would have probably had the exact same lean-out you're getting.
You should talk to crash! and skid as well. tHey'll be your best supprt/help.
Do you have an augmented fuel system with the blower or are you still running the stock fuel pump? Do you have a Fuel Managment Unit with your kit? What chip are you running and can the Fuel/Air ratio be reprogrammed? I assume you are still running the 19 lb injectors?
I know this will be hard to do but stay out of the boost till you get this lean F/A ratio thing resolved. Others will be along with more expertise to help you.
I know this will be hard to do but stay out of the boost till you get this lean F/A ratio thing resolved. Others will be along with more expertise to help you.
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From: Leonardtown, MD
The kit comes with a Boost-A-Pump and a FMU. The Boost-A-Pump ups the voltage to the Fuel Pump under boost increasing the flow.
I'm going to check tonight to see if the out put of the Boost-A-Pump is increasing voltage to the Fuel Pump.
I'm going to check tonight to see if the out put of the Boost-A-Pump is increasing voltage to the Fuel Pump.
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From: San Jose, California, U.S.A.
Well I'm no expert on this but this is what I have gathered from my readings here and other places.
The KenneBell SC doesn't come with a intercooler. I think that this can contribute to pinging as well. I think that that's why Crash! only goes with the Magna Charger and ATI. They both come with an intercooler. I think Crash's mantra is "reliable power".
Also when ever you slap on a charger its a good idea to get it dynoed with your a/f curves so that you know what your engine is doing through your entire rpm range.
Hope this helps.
Jes
The KenneBell SC doesn't come with a intercooler. I think that this can contribute to pinging as well. I think that that's why Crash! only goes with the Magna Charger and ATI. They both come with an intercooler. I think Crash's mantra is "reliable power".
Also when ever you slap on a charger its a good idea to get it dynoed with your a/f curves so that you know what your engine is doing through your entire rpm range.
Hope this helps.
Jes
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Leonardtown, MD, US
Actually my kit does not have a chip with it. This is an older kit 99 which was put on and then taken off a vehicle as they decided to buy a lightning. I talked with Kenne Bell and they felt that the truck should be able to run without a chip just fine.
I just got done checking the Boost-A-Pump and it is working right putting out 17volts to the fuel pump under boost.
I also checked all the vaccums again as well as the Blower itself to make sure everything was tight. I checked the MAF to see if it was dirty and everything looks good and then I checked voltage going to it and wire C&D to make sure it was in the right range.
It's really wierd that I can drive the truck up to 5psi boost without the light coming on and the second I totally floor it that is when it happens. I took a drive for about 10 miles starting and stopping, running in and out of boost(up to 5psi) and the light never came on. Only when you floor it.
I just got done checking the Boost-A-Pump and it is working right putting out 17volts to the fuel pump under boost.
I also checked all the vaccums again as well as the Blower itself to make sure everything was tight. I checked the MAF to see if it was dirty and everything looks good and then I checked voltage going to it and wire C&D to make sure it was in the right range.
It's really wierd that I can drive the truck up to 5psi boost without the light coming on and the second I totally floor it that is when it happens. I took a drive for about 10 miles starting and stopping, running in and out of boost(up to 5psi) and the light never came on. Only when you floor it.
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From: Virginia Beach, VA
Originally posted by rocketir
Well I'm no expert on this but this is what I have gathered from my readings here and other places.
The KenneBell SC doesn't come with a intercooler. I think that this can contribute to pinging as well. I think that that's why Crash! only goes with the Magna Charger and ATI. They both come with an intercooler. I think Crash's mantra is "reliable power".
Also when ever you slap on a charger its a good idea to get it dynoed with your a/f curves so that you know what your engine is doing through your entire rpm range.
Hope this helps.
Jes
Well I'm no expert on this but this is what I have gathered from my readings here and other places.
The KenneBell SC doesn't come with a intercooler. I think that this can contribute to pinging as well. I think that that's why Crash! only goes with the Magna Charger and ATI. They both come with an intercooler. I think Crash's mantra is "reliable power".
Also when ever you slap on a charger its a good idea to get it dynoed with your a/f curves so that you know what your engine is doing through your entire rpm range.
Hope this helps.
Jes
I have a friend with a KB on a 'Stang and at just shy of 10 psi he is pulling almost 35 HP over the Eaton at 10 psi. He has an intercooler setup in the works.
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From: Leonardtown, MD
Crash,
Thanks for the help!
After talking with a local tuner what we think is happening is that this kit is supposed to be putting out 6psi with the pulley combination and I am actually seeing 8-9psi, which is above what the rest of the kit is calibrated for.
Since the light is only coming on when I floor it and not when I am running at 6psi, the problem is probably occuring because of a lack of fuel supply.
My tuner also said that he thought that on the newer fords they were running a bigger lower pulley to compensate for the greater power needs of the newer trucks which is probably why I am seeing the 8-9psi.
I'm going to talk with KB and then next week get it to the dyno to find out what is going on.
Thanks for the help!
After talking with a local tuner what we think is happening is that this kit is supposed to be putting out 6psi with the pulley combination and I am actually seeing 8-9psi, which is above what the rest of the kit is calibrated for.
Since the light is only coming on when I floor it and not when I am running at 6psi, the problem is probably occuring because of a lack of fuel supply.
My tuner also said that he thought that on the newer fords they were running a bigger lower pulley to compensate for the greater power needs of the newer trucks which is probably why I am seeing the 8-9psi.
I'm going to talk with KB and then next week get it to the dyno to find out what is going on.
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Joined: Mar 1998
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From: Virginia
Hi Hunttbl,
You obviously have a lean condition, so you don't run that vehicle at any kind of heavy throttle until that is taken care of. Octane booster will not "fix" this, I agree with Crash. I don't like their idea of overdriving the fuel pump with excess voltage either, that's a stop-gap measure in our opinion. Can the Boost-a-pump work? Sure, it can, and a lot of them are, but adding 50% more voltage than the pump was designed for isn't conductive to longevity, and almost no other supercharger manufacturer takes that approach.
The KB blowers geenrally only deliver about 4.5-5.0 PSI of boost on these vehicles, so if you're getting a true 8-9 PSI, bingo, that alone can easily cause the lean condition detonation.
It sounds like you're getting good advice and are on the right path to getting this taken care of, good luck & have fun!
You obviously have a lean condition, so you don't run that vehicle at any kind of heavy throttle until that is taken care of. Octane booster will not "fix" this, I agree with Crash. I don't like their idea of overdriving the fuel pump with excess voltage either, that's a stop-gap measure in our opinion. Can the Boost-a-pump work? Sure, it can, and a lot of them are, but adding 50% more voltage than the pump was designed for isn't conductive to longevity, and almost no other supercharger manufacturer takes that approach.
The KB blowers geenrally only deliver about 4.5-5.0 PSI of boost on these vehicles, so if you're getting a true 8-9 PSI, bingo, that alone can easily cause the lean condition detonation.
It sounds like you're getting good advice and are on the right path to getting this taken care of, good luck & have fun!
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Joined: May 2000
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From: Virginia Beach, VA
Just my opinion, but the FMU is every bit the band aid that the Boost-A-Pump is. They have both been proven to work, but neither is the high end answer.
Quite a few KB owners use the Boost-A-Pump and larger injectors. With a custom chip burn (which ALL blower kits SHOULD have) this combo works very well.
Although there are more systems using FMUs, this doesn't make it a better setup IMO. I've seen plenty of problems related to FMU failure and adjustment.
In reality the higher volume pump and larger injectors should be used along with a chip burn for the combo. For some reason nobody seems to take this approach with the kits....
Quite a few KB owners use the Boost-A-Pump and larger injectors. With a custom chip burn (which ALL blower kits SHOULD have) this combo works very well.
Although there are more systems using FMUs, this doesn't make it a better setup IMO. I've seen plenty of problems related to FMU failure and adjustment.
In reality the higher volume pump and larger injectors should be used along with a chip burn for the combo. For some reason nobody seems to take this approach with the kits....
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Business Opp
Derek - You really should consider rounding out what you do. If I had the market niche you had, this it what I'd do: I'd stock on a shelf in my apartment (right next to a fedex shipping maching and a credit card machine on my desk) the following stuff:
AWSF 22c Spark plugs and anti-lock compound
S&B Airfilters with a 4" ID
Autometer Guages and pods
Extra 6 rib belts
1/16" washers
Fuel filters
Fuel line disconnect tools
Ford fan removale tool set
Now this stuf ref'd above is over and above the soon-to-be-released boost upgrade kit and TRIX package. Seriously.
All this stuff listed above will take about 4 days to scrounge up for the average guy. Especially those stupid copper plugs. Work some good purchase price deals with some suppliers and make this little "ODDS & ENDS" install kit available to your customers. Mark everything up and make yourself a profit. Profit is good.
When I worked at the phone company the big honking phone systems I sold were done at very slim margin, but all the little crap we marked up big time. That's where the profit is in a manufacturer-distributor situation. It will be a win win for everyone: 1.) you make some money 2.) we all get the stuff we need to have a real solid kit 3.) you stay in business and become better and more innovative and develop cooler and more exotic solutions for us F150 blower customers for years to come!!!
Free enterprize is almost like religion to me.
AWSF 22c Spark plugs and anti-lock compound
S&B Airfilters with a 4" ID
Autometer Guages and pods
Extra 6 rib belts
1/16" washers
Fuel filters
Fuel line disconnect tools
Ford fan removale tool set
Now this stuf ref'd above is over and above the soon-to-be-released boost upgrade kit and TRIX package. Seriously.
All this stuff listed above will take about 4 days to scrounge up for the average guy. Especially those stupid copper plugs. Work some good purchase price deals with some suppliers and make this little "ODDS & ENDS" install kit available to your customers. Mark everything up and make yourself a profit. Profit is good.
When I worked at the phone company the big honking phone systems I sold were done at very slim margin, but all the little crap we marked up big time. That's where the profit is in a manufacturer-distributor situation. It will be a win win for everyone: 1.) you make some money 2.) we all get the stuff we need to have a real solid kit 3.) you stay in business and become better and more innovative and develop cooler and more exotic solutions for us F150 blower customers for years to come!!!
Free enterprize is almost like religion to me.
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From: Leonardtown, MD
I was able to get the truck on a Dyno yesterday and when watching the fuel pressure gauge it would climb up to 78psi at WOT and after a few seconds fall down into the 60's. So I am pretty confident that this is why the Light has been coming on.
We are going to add an inline fuel pump to hopefully fix the problem and probably add a little more HP.
We are going to add an inline fuel pump to hopefully fix the problem and probably add a little more HP.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 12
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From: Leonardtown, MD, US
We'll after waiting for some fittings to come in we finally got the inline hooked up and everything ready to go.
We put it back on the dyno and are now running 120psi from 2900 on up. I think that we are now supplying way more fuel than the FMU is calibrated for and we need to bring it from a 10:1 down to a 6:1.
Any suggestions....do you think this is the right path?
We put it back on the dyno and are now running 120psi from 2900 on up. I think that we are now supplying way more fuel than the FMU is calibrated for and we need to bring it from a 10:1 down to a 6:1.
Any suggestions....do you think this is the right path?