16V Problems... Part 18 - Please help an idiot...

[rhock99@epix.net (Ryan H)]

OK, I replaced my coolant temp. sender with another one I had sitting around (although I didn't have anything to clean the connections with, they looked pretty good) and completely removed the fuel enrichment, and it still acts up.  On another note, I read the Bentley and found out that when you disconnect the vacuum advance, you get 6 degrees more timing normally, explaining why I had the extra power when I disconnected mine.  Oh well, guess that rules that out completely.  So what should I check next?

> 
> From: "BoxOParts" <bhonnold@pac-cap.com>
> Date: 2002/10/20 Sun PM 07:18:00 EDT
> To: "Ryan H" <rhock99@epix.net>
> Subject: RE: 16V Problems... Part 18 - Please help an idiot...
> 
> I suggest removing the fuel module and cleaning the connections for the temp
> sender......that will probably fix it.  My guess is that one of the
> connections for the module is bad, or possibly the relay that controls it
> has gone bad.  I used to build those things and had similar problems with my
> old cis-e setup.
> 
> Brian
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: scirocco-l-admin@scirocco.org
> [mailto:scirocco-l-admin@scirocco.org]On Behalf Of Ryan H
> Sent: Sunday, October 20, 2002 1:19 PM
> To: scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> Subject: Re: 16V Problems... Part 18 - Please help an idiot...
> 
> 
> Ahh, the problem becomes clearer now... I'm going to play around with the
> coolant temp sensor (disconnect my enrichment module) and clean the
> connections to see if it helps any.  Just another quick question, though -
> doesn't the O2 sensor play a role in the knock circuit?  I.E. if a reading
> is way out of range the box would retard timing?
> >
> > From: "BoxOParts" <bhonnold@pac-cap.com>
> > Date: 2002/10/20 Sun PM 12:29:46 EDT
> > To: "Ryan H" <rhock99@epix.net>
> > Subject: RE: 16V Problems... Part 18 - Please help an idiot...
> >
> > Why would you have vacuum advance on a 16v?
> >
> > All that vacuum line to the knock box does is tell it that the engine is
> > under load so that it can electronically adjust the timing.  However, if
> > there is a problem with the knock sensor or temp sender, then the brain
> > can't adjust correctly.
> >
> > So, yes it makes sense that you get a timing/running improvement when you
> > disconnect that line but it doesn't mean that the line is part of the
> > problem.
> >
> > Brian
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: scirocco-l-admin@scirocco.org
> > [mailto:scirocco-l-admin@scirocco.org]On Behalf Of Ryan H
> > Sent: Sunday, October 20, 2002 9:05 AM
> > To: scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> > Subject: Re: 16V Problems... Part 18 - Please help an idiot...
> >
> >
> > This makes perfect sense for the electronic advance, Brian, but why would
> my
> > vacuum advance be held back?
> >
> > >
> > > From: "BoxOParts" <bhonnold@pac-cap.com>
> > > Date: 2002/10/20 Sun AM 11:21:59 EDT
> > > To: "Ryan H" <rhock99@epix.net>
> > > Subject: RE: 16V Problems... Part 18 - Please help an idiot...
> > >
> > > Only a couple things throw a cis-e car into limp home mode. ie no timing
> > > advance.
> > >
> > > I would suspect a failing or corroded temp sender, check the
> connections.
> > > Also, check the operation of the idle switch on the throttle body to
> make
> > > sure that the knock computer knows when it's on or off throttle.  Lastly
> > > check the connections at the knock sensor.
> > >
> > > The system ONLY goes into limp mode if the temp circuit and/or the knock
> > > circuit provide no feedback to the knock box.
> > >
> > > Brian H
> > >
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: scirocco-l-admin@scirocco.org
> > > [mailto:scirocco-l-admin@scirocco.org]On Behalf Of Ryan H
> > > Sent: Saturday, October 19, 2002 10:57 PM
> > > To: scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> > > Subject: 16V Problems... Part 18 - Please help an idiot...
> > >
> > >
> > > If you don't want to read this whole thing, please at least read my last
> > > paragraph.  I need help!
> > > As many of you may know, I've been having problems with my car going
> into
> > > "limp" mode, where I have no power from the timing being retarded...
> Well,
> > I
> > > did some experimenting tonight and pulled the vacuum line that goes to
> the
> > > knock box controlling vacuum advance (I know, probably a bad idea).
> > Anyway
> > > here's what I found:
> > > 1.) The car still goes into limp mode, although it's not NEARLY as bad,
> > and
> > > when it runs normal, it's MUCH faster than before, telling me the timing
> > was
> > > ALWAYS being retarded some.
> > > 2.) The car spits out alot of smoke @ WOT according to my buddy - could
> I
> > be
> > > running so rich that it's retarding my timing?  My Scirocco never seems
> to
> > > use any gas, though.  Anyway, running rich wouldn't affect vacuum
> advance,
> > > would it?
> > > 3.) Obviously, my electronic advance is getting a bad signal too, since
> it
> > > still had low power.  Could my engine really have a problem?  Everything
> > > runs normal, but why would vacuum advance be a problem?  Isn't that just
> > > vacuum from the head?  Could my oil pressure be going so high or low
> that
> > > the vacuum advance gets a bad signal, and also causes the electronic
> > advance
> > > to get a bad signal too?
> > > 4.) Could leaving the vacuum line from the engine open (oops, forgot
> about
> > > that) be causing the electronic advance to go wacky, and my problem is
> > > simply a vaccum leak (I wish)?
> > >
> > > OK, let me sum up my question... Why would BOTH my vacuum and electronic
> > > advance on the knock box be getting bad signals?  It's definitely not
> the
> > > knock box, since it runs much better with vacuum unplugged.  New knock
> > > sensor, too.  What parts are responsible for the car running in open vs.
> > > closed loop mode (so I can test more)?  O2 sensor, coolant temp. sensor,
> > > DPR, and ????
> > >
> > > This problem is getting annoying, especially now that I've tasted full
> > > power.
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Scirocco-l mailing list
> > > Scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> > > http://neubayern.net/mailman/listinfo/scirocco-l
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Scirocco-l mailing list
> > Scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> > http://neubayern.net/mailman/listinfo/scirocco-l
> >
> >
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Scirocco-l mailing list
> Scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> http://neubayern.net/mailman/listinfo/scirocco-l
> 
>