Alky Pump Constantly Running

[wiseman]

Hello Everyone,
My alky kit has been working flawlessly since installed a couple months ago, but I went to start the car yesterday and it wouldn't crank and I noticed that pump won't stop running. The pump runs as soon as the key is turned to the ON position. I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but my instrument cluster was removed last week and was sent out for recalibration, so I am not sure if that could be the issue, since it was working before the cluster removal.

Additional info:
1. Pump wont run with map disconnected
2. Map signal is taken from behind glove per vortex Buick website. It gets the 5v signal from the map signal output wire under the dash .
3. Instrument cluster not in the car

Any ideas?

 

[Jerryl]

How old is the kit?

 

[wiseman]

I purchased it brand new. About 5 or 6 months ago from Julio.

Posted from the TurboBuick.Com mobile app

 

[RmvBfrFlght]

The stock MAP sensor gets it's 5V power from the cluster (ground too? I didn't look). If that wasn't changed, then no cluster, not a proper MAP signal.

RemoveBeforeFlight

 

[Jerryl]

There is a possible condition when battery voltage drops below xx volts, that the pump starts spraying, with key on/engine off. Charge the battery, and it may/should take care of it. No need at this time to tear things apart . . . Yet. Lol

 

[blackgn1]

Check your test button. I had to replace mine once. Was my fault it happen.

 

[Chuck Leeper]

1-800 Julio????
If the tank has alky in it, and you try starting it, you could be a new member of the DOTCC...

 

[Razor]

Only three conditions can cause the system to spray.
1) Test button fault.
2) Signal on green wire exceeding threshold set on "turn on"(boost over X psi for example)
3) defective controller

All the kits sent this year have a new TPS harness to supply power from the TPS to the 3 bar map sensor. So power to it should be stable. Assuming the harness was used. Easy way to see if its a MAP sensor issue is grab a voltmeter and check the green wire for voltage. Ignition ON engine not running you should see 1.6 volts on the green wire.

Now.. if the harness wasn't used, you tapped into the OEM plug that was powered by the cluster.. meaning power and ground came from the dash.. then that could explain why the system is running as more than likely you've lost voltage reference(specifically ground) to the MAP sensor. Typically if you lose the ground to the 3 bar map, the signal will go from 1.6 to 5v.. the PAC controller sees 5v on the green wire and thinks your at 30 psi and the system sprays.

 

[Razor]

There is a possible condition when battery voltage drops below xx volts, that the pump starts spraying, with key on/engine off. Charge the battery, and it may/should take care of it. No need at this time to tear things apart . . . Yet. Lol

Anything is possible with electronics.. now.. under normal conditions..
Not possible with a 3 bar map. Since the turn on is referenced by a 5 volt regulator. So the cars battery would have to drop below 5 volts for the reference to change. By the time the battery goes below 5 there isn't enough drive possible to run a pump. This doesn't mean that if the battery goes below 5 the system will activate, this means the reference. So if the green wire has 1.6 volts.. And the turn on is set to 2.2 volts normally.. battery power on the car will have to get below 4 volts then the LED will turn on. But when the battery drops to that level there isn't enough power for anything to work. LED may come on but nothing would spray. Simply tested by using a variable power supply and decreasing voltage applied to the unit.

 

[Jerryl]

Anything is possible with electronics.. now.. under normal conditions..
Not possible with a 3 bar map. Since the turn on is referenced by a 5 volt regulator. . . . .

Thanks. Shoulda waited for you to respond. Was just sharing my experience. . . . . I married Murphy. Lol

 

[wiseman]

Thanks for the explanation and help. I will check the voltage on the green wire and report back. It just so weird, how I just started having this issue. But, like what razor said, when it comes to electronics. "anything" is possible. I guess for now, I will just point my finger at the instrument cluster not being in place that is causing the problem. Hopefully, I will see it back at the end of this week or the beginning of next week so, I reinstall and see if the problem still exists or not. They said, then around time is around 5 days.

Posted from the TurboBuick.Com mobile app

 

[Razor]

Thanks for the explanation and help. I will check the voltage on the green wire and report back. It just so weird, how I just started having this issue. But, like what razor said, when it comes to electronics. "anything" is possible. I guess for now, I will just point my finger at the instrument cluster not being in place that is causing the problem. Hopefully, I will see it back at the end of this week or the beginning of next week so, I reinstall and see if the problem still exists or not. They said, then around time is around 5 days.

Posted from the TurboBuick.Com mobile app

Did you install the TPS wiring harness to supply power to the 3 bar map?

 

[wiseman]

There is a possible condition when battery voltage drops below xx volts, that the pump starts spraying, with key on/engine off. Charge the battery, and it may/should take care of it. No need at this time to tear things apart . . . Yet. Lol

The battery stays on the maintainer, the battery currently reads 12.8v when I checked.

 

[wiseman]

Check your test button. I had to replace mine once. Was my fault it happen.

Even though the pump constantly sprays, when I press the test button it does light up, it not jammed or anything

 

[TT/Ameasap]

Was your alky tank filled and is empty now?

 

[Razor]

Did you install the TPS wiring harness to supply power to the 3 bar map?

Well????

 

[wiseman]

Razor,
I didn't use the map harness that was supplied with the kit. I wired the map wire directly underneath the dash. I believe you may be right about the voltage on the green being 5v since the dash is removed. I will check the voltage on the green wire and report back.

 

[wiseman]

Was your alky tank filled and is empty now?

My alky tank was about 1/4 tank filled with methanol

 

[Razor]

Razor,
I didn't use the map harness that was supplied with the kit. I wired the map wire directly underneath the dash. I believe you may be right about the voltage on the green being 5v since the dash is removed. I will check the voltage on the green wire and report back.

Then there you have it. You wired the +5 but I bet a dozen doughnuts you didn't wire the ground. This is "your problem".

Julio

 

[TT/Ameasap]

My alky tank was about 1/4 tank filled with methanol

Better check your oil. That Alky went somewhere.