Fail Safe Mode?
03-19-2008, 09:50 AM
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: nashua, nh
Posts: 105
Fail Safe Mode?
So i've had my max for 3 years about now and still love to hate it. VTC's still ticking plan on replacing them at some point this year after my 70 Mustang Fastback is put together.....
But, i've read about this fail-safe mode where the car goes into limp home so it doesn't break anything and runs like crap? I can drive for days with no check engine light on then sometimes i'll start it and after 5-10 minutes (warm-up) the light just blinks and i can't get a from a obd scanner or the ECU self diagnostics.... But when the light doesn't come on and everything is running smoothyly damn i can floor it and go.
Or if i can't figure it out i've just completed my MegaSquirt and planning to put it into action this summer aswell.
But, i've read about this fail-safe mode where the car goes into limp home so it doesn't break anything and runs like crap? I can drive for days with no check engine light on then sometimes i'll start it and after 5-10 minutes (warm-up) the light just blinks and i can't get a from a obd scanner or the ECU self diagnostics.... But when the light doesn't come on and everything is running smoothyly damn i can floor it and go.
Or if i can't figure it out i've just completed my MegaSquirt and planning to put it into action this summer aswell.
03-19-2008, 04:14 PM
#3
So i've had my max for 3 years about now and still love to hate it. VTC's still ticking plan on replacing them at some point this year after my 70 Mustang Fastback is put together.....
But, i've read about this fail-safe mode where the car goes into limp home so it doesn't break anything and runs like crap? I can drive for days with no check engine light on then sometimes i'll start it and after 5-10 minutes (warm-up) the light just blinks and i can't get a from a obd scanner or the ECU self diagnostics.... But when the light doesn't come on and everything is running smoothyly damn i can floor it and go. Or if i can't figure it out i've just completed my MegaSquirt and planning to put it into action this summer aswell.
But, i've read about this fail-safe mode where the car goes into limp home so it doesn't break anything and runs like crap? I can drive for days with no check engine light on then sometimes i'll start it and after 5-10 minutes (warm-up) the light just blinks and i can't get a from a obd scanner or the ECU self diagnostics.... But when the light doesn't come on and everything is running smoothyly damn i can floor it and go.
Or if i can't figure it out i've just completed my MegaSquirt and planning to put it into action this summer aswell.
03-19-2008, 06:18 PM
#4
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: nashua, nh
Posts: 105
No they don't have the cop....i want it just for fuel right now till they come up with the COP supposed to be this year though YEA!
... But how do i know if my ECU is bad? hard to tell if the fans come on...guess i need to find someone with the consult software and cables other than a dealer to see if everything is in working order. 
, also if i leave the ignition to a MSD or other brand for ignition MS with work with that!
... But how do i know if my ECU is bad? hard to tell if the fans come on...guess i need to find someone with the consult software and cables other than a dealer to see if everything is in working order. , also if i leave the ignition to a MSD or other brand for ignition MS with work with that!
03-19-2008, 08:03 PM
#6
No they don't have the cop....i want it just for fuel right now till they come up with the COP supposed to be this year though YEA! ... But how do i know if my ECU is bad? hard to tell if the fans come on...guess i need to find someone with the consult software and cables other than a dealer to see if everything is in working order. , also if i leave the ignition to a MSD or other brand for ignition MS with work with that!
... But how do i know if my ECU is bad? hard to tell if the fans come on...guess i need to find someone with the consult software and cables other than a dealer to see if everything is in working order. , also if i leave the ignition to a MSD or other brand for ignition MS with work with that!I think the VE is capable, but not the VG.
03-19-2008, 09:51 PM
#8
To check the fans:
Just start your car and pop the hood and rev the engine up to 3000 rpm or so from the throttle cable in the engine bay until your engine warms up and your fans start up.
Just start your car and pop the hood and rev the engine up to 3000 rpm or so from the throttle cable in the engine bay until your engine warms up and your fans start up.
03-19-2008, 09:53 PM
#9
In ECU fail-safe mode, that fans turn on immediately when the car started. If they arent doing that, then its not in fail-safe.
03-20-2008, 07:08 AM
#10
if john (or any other VG owner) wants to swing by I'll see if the snap-on scanner can read their cars.
03-20-2008, 08:28 AM
#13
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: nashua, nh
Posts: 105
Thanks for the wise crack about fans.
Would have been helpful to say that " If they come on immediatly even when cold "
and if it is the ECU on its way out. Just hafta go junkyard picking and hope for a good one?
Would have been helpful to say that " If they come on immediatly even when cold "and if it is the ECU on its way out. Just hafta go junkyard picking and hope for a good one?
Last edited by braxsusriely; 03-20-2008 at 08:33 AM.
03-20-2008, 08:28 AM
#14
Most of the time, i can turn the car off/restart, and the cel goes away.
I suggest the op look at all his underhood sensor harness connections for the common corrosion(green looking crap) issue with these cars. then go from there.
03-20-2008, 08:31 AM
#15
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