SOLVED! Post 2853 Leaking Injectors, Dealer Techs Rock! Extended Cranking after Engine Swap 3.4L 5vz

so the gage is NOT the problem now ??????????

I am so confused

can you please recap for us who may have missed a few posts somewhere, just where you stand today and what the problem is that you believe you have going on as of today are?

 

We still believe it's the gauge, based on the way it started all 4 times with it unplugged, vs. how it starts when it is plugged in. But this last mechanic kept telling us over and over, there's no possible way it could be in any way related. Period. Except when we first arrived there, and he was agreeing with whatever we said.

But, since we got a TPS code 2x, then replaced the TPS, then got another pending code for it afterwards, we don't know whether we have other wiring/electrical problems beyond the gauge, but I'm certainly willing to believe we do. The 4 starts with gauge unplugged were not 100% normal - they were maybe 80-90% normal, with the excessive crank starts being a 0%. So who knows what exactly is contributing to the problem until someone qualified and experienced starts looking at how things are wired. Which is why I'm not really comfortable just letting anyone remove the gauge and call it good. We need someone to actually identify WTF is going on with our wiring period, including the gauge, or at least that's what I'm thinking.

At the very least, we need someone to assess how the gauge is wired, and test the wire that goes from the ECU to the TPS, since clearly a brand new dealer TPS did not completely address that.

And who knows? Maybe we have a bunch of other wiring issues beyond those things? No one really knows for sure until they look at the wiring. And we are not qualified to do that ourselves.

 

well my advice is this, go to the dealer and have them remove the gage and fix any wiring related to the removal of the gage, that's it.

then take it home and see if you have any more issues.

anything electrical that isn't working correctly can screw with the rest of the vehicles electrical system and control signals and its computer so you cannot address both issues at once, you have to fix the gage issue (which is 99% likely your only issue) and then and only then can you determine if there is any other problem.

the absolute worst thing you can do is to not fix the first problem first and try and determine the causes of other problems, it just cannot be done that way or your spinning your tires going nowhere.

 

OK, just repeated the exact same thing we did that night when it started better with the gauge controller unplugged. And this time it started equally shitty in both scenarios - with gauge plugged in, and with gauge unplugged. Seriously losing my mind. I'm sure no one will believe it, but I swear on my grandmother's grave we did NOT imagine that the night it was starting differently with the gauge unplugged. The TPS had been replaced the day before that night that it was starting differently with gauge unplugged. Also my husband did the jumper wire thing with the timing that same night shortly before it was starting better with gauge unplugged. I guess we can only speculate that the difference in how it started all 4 of those times with the gauge unplugged had something to do with either the TPS or the timing? But then plugging the gauge back in the 5th time we started it that night and it starting like shit, there just is no explanation for that except that the gauge somehow plays a part. None of it makes any sense.

But now that we have more reason to suspect that the gauge might not play a part, it seems less worthwhile to go somewhere that specializes in the gauges but deals with race cars primarily. That same neighbor that referred us to the angel mechanic has another friend that runs a shop that specializes in electrical stuff. He told us last week that they'd look at it, but at that time they were booked out at least a week. Just called neighbor and told him we want that guy to look at it, regardless of full price or not, regardless of whether we have to wait or not. He called the guy again, and neighbor is coming with me to take it out there this afternoon. I've learned my lesson, I will not hold my breath waiting for a miraculous quick solution. But at least there's some peace of mind that this neighbor did not steer us wrong with the last mechanic (the angel) he recommended. Seems possible, and hopefully likely, that this guy will be just as trustworthy and skilled. Please send us your good wishes, I am not coping very well anymore. We are fast approaching 3 months since piston hole, and I need this to end fast.

 

well I still say you need to start eliminating the things one by one.

you know the gage made a difference so get it removed first and then have them check the truck after its removed to see if the problem is gone.

until that gage is gone you will still have a dozen unanswered questions surrounding it.

if removing the gage fixes it then go have a beer on me and send me the bill

 

Just dropped it off at neighbor's buddy's shop. Same familiar feeling of hope again that this time will be the time it gets fixed. Met the mechanic, he seemed nice and neighbor has a very high amount of confidence in this guy's abilities, so even though I shouldn't do it to myself, I am hopeful again. Staff was very professional and nice. Gave them my notebook of history. Fingers crossed. This calls for an early drink - it's 5 o'clock somewhere, right?

 

It's definitely drink thirty here. I'll have one with you.

 

did you (hoping very intently) tell him to remove the gage and then make sure everything is ok, or (covering my eyes) just tell him to check everything and see whats going on with it?

 

So, have you replaced the ECM, yet?

 

Cheers! Except, oops, forgot to eat lunch with all the truck stuff going on, so just the few sips I've had are going straight to my head. I'll be slurring my words in no time! : )

Did you ever figure out where you can get Buffalo Trace? I actually emailed the company and asked where it could be found in Michigan in hopes of pointing you in the right direction, and they didn't know either! They said to check with your local or state liquor control.....you'd think they'd find an answer to sell more whiskey! It's worth the effort to find though, trust me........Buffalo and gingerale on the rocks over here right now! You doing a J & B?

 

Keakar, I understand that you feel very strongly about this. But ultimately we have to do what we are most comfortable with, and for the time being, that is putting our trust in the mechanic that currently has the truck. We gave him the full history of what we've experienced with that controller plugged in vs. not, but considering how it started with it plugged in this morning, we have to now consider the possibility that the gauge may not be all or even part of the problem. I am going to trust their judgement on what they find and think, especially since our neighbor thinks so highly of their work, and so far he's steered us in the right direction completely. We had BY FAR a much better experience with the angel mechanic he referred us to last than any other mechanic so far. And since he's just not available for the time being because of his brother's passing, and our neighbor thinks just as highly of the guys he just sent us to, we are going to put our trust in them and let them decide whether the gauge is causing a problem and whether it should be removed.

 

No, we haven't Steve. We've got it, and I typed in BIG BOLD LETTERS on the sheet of notes that I gave the current mechanic that we have a donor ECU from an identical truck if he thinks we should try swapping it. I'm just not comfortable making that call myself - but I'm very glad to have it if they think we should do it.

 

fair enough, I just feel if it is removed you also remove about 20 of those "what if" questions that come up because its still there. if its gone then there is no question about anything being related to it.

just my big brother kicking in trying to advise you how I feel

 

I hear ya big bro!

 

Haven't found that booze yet. To be honest, haven't had time to look. It is on my list.

 

I wouldn't buy a new one from the dealer I would buy one off of somebody from here we brought this up about 500 post ago somebody had one for a hundred dollars on the forum. I would highly doubt two seperate harnesses would have the same issues.
also try the other ECM if you have one

 

Thanks Knuckle. I remember you guys mentioning another TW member selling a harness. I looked at the thread but from what I could tell it didn't say how many miles/years on the vehicle, which was a big part of why I let that idea go.

Are you meaning buy a different one, but just use the portions of it we need rather than completely removing our whole harness and putting that one in? I'd assume you can do that, right? All wires can be spliced, can't they? Or is that bad, and creates a weak connection or something? Would that possibly be cheaper than piece meal replacing portions of our wiring harness?

 

Ecm first,,then harness if needed.

No aftermarket harness. Used OEM or new OEM is all I would use.

Ecm to engine harness, however many pieces there are needed. No splicing or minimal splicing if you can help it.

Bad juju for me talking about wiring harnesses,,so I'm out with that one.

 

No way, you know I was just in a bad state of mind already on that one Mod, not your fault! Doing much better now!

I realize it might be premature to say this, but I'll say it anyway. I am feeling great about things right now, because I really think this place will be our last stop. Might take them a long time to get to the bottom of it, but just thinking they will be our last stop brings me lots of peace and joy.

Why do I think that? Because I know our neighbor would not have steered us to them if they weren't good. So I can't imagine there being any kind of reason to part ways with them like there was with the engine guys; I can't imagine there being any reason to part ways with them like there was with the dealer (just replace TPS, don't test anything) or the last guy (just replace fuel pump for 2nd time, don't look at anything else first). And I can't imagine there being any reason to part ways with them like there was with the angel, because they are a shop, so even if personal matters come up that take priority, they surely have some kind of back up plan in place.

When we first arrived there and went straight into the garage to talk to the mechanic, my neighbor introduced us and said, "They picked it up from X garage this morning because that guy told her she needed a new fuel pump, but X (the angel) just replaced the fuel pump a couple weeks ago, and they had the same problem before that and after that." The mechanic said with a heavy does of sarcasm between bites of his lunch, "Hmm, sounds like she doesn't need a fuel pump then."

When I handed the guy at the counter my binder of info, I braced myself for the usual reaction - eye rolling, shock, annoyance, etc. Instead I was greeted with, "This is great, can I make copies of this for us to keep?" Totally shocked, I stuttered, "No, um, that's for you guys to keep, thank you!" And when we were leaving, that guy said to me, while holding that binder up, "I'll make sure he (the mechanic) does his homework before he looks at your truck." And there wasn't a hint of smart ass to it - he meant it.

When neighbor and I were driving home after dropping it off, I said, "I wonder how soon before your friend thinks I'm nuts, once he opens that binder of info and notes and sees how much info/detail I put in there from the last 3 months!" He said, "He is just as detailed as you are, and he has a crazy good memory, so I bet he will read every word in that binder and he's not gonna think you're crazy at all." And this neighbor is a straight shooter - he doesn't blow smoke up people's asses.

Feeling good about where things are at. Thinking this guy will take his time, read the history, and put his genius to work. AND I'm even thinking since angel and this guy know each other through the neighbor, they might even talk to one another about what's been done, what test results they got, etc - basically put their heads together on it, and how awesome would that be?

 

Hakuna Matata,,no worries.

Get this thing fixed,,so we can get to the cool stuff. Like a new stereo and speakers maybe,,or seat coverings,,or cool shit like that.

Start making that long term list. Your in it to win it,,so why not daydream a bit.