Problem still exists!!

[RonR]

Thanks to Dave, Geoff and the support staff I can finally upload the Elanscan file from Merlot's successful run...

BTW my logger was set to the wrong date, so it looks like the file's from 15 Nov 2022:

221115-101804.zip

The VSS trace:

Merlot-VSS-working.jpg

[TrevorB]

I am reopening this post as I went out for a drive this afternoon and at the end of a good run it appeared that the problem has returned. AHHH!! GRRRR!!
It hadn't occurred at any time previously whilst out on the run and I did push it through the gears on a couple of occasions.

It was only a slight judder, in comparison to previously anyway, but it was enough for me to come off the accelerator. Same symptoms as before and still no CEL.
I tried the paperclip test on return home but couldn't get it to work. My laptop has been upgraded to Windows 11 so I need to reload ElanScan and see
if there are any faults recorded. I will try paperclip test again in morning.

If it is Code 24 VSS again then I will clean up the connectors to ECU and see if that clears it again. Ron, what cleaning fluid did you use before?

Is there somewhere to identify which pin comes from the VSS into the ECU?


Trevor

p.s. Don't tell me ElanScan doesn't work on Windows 11 ???? Tried to install and not recognising cable. help please

[Fredjohn]

Trevor
See wiring diagram, Page 4. I think it is pins A10 and A5

Hope thus helps.
John

[RonR]

Bad luck Trevor, looks like your plug terminals could be tarnished or perhaps even slightly loose.
I used "Servisol Super 10 switch cleaning lubricant" on your plugs and ECU, available at most electrical suppliers and on-line.
I'd also clean the IPHC and ECMHC joining blocks behind the dash to be trebly sure, as we might have disturbed one of them when working on the ECU, causing a temporary improvement in the connection.
The diagrams to identify them are in Appendix 2 of the electrical manual.

Edit: Elanscan should work on Windows 11 but you'll have to load the correct USB drivers for the cable - See Pinky's manuals site for details.

[TrevorB]

Bad luck Trevor, looks like your plug terminals could be tarnished or perhaps even slightly loose.
I used "Servisol Super 10 switch cleaning lubricant" on your plugs and ECU, available at most electrical suppliers and on-line.
I'd also clean the IPHC and ECMHC joining blocks behind the dash to be trebly sure, as we might have disturbed one of them when working on the ECU, causing a temporary improvement in the connection.
The diagrams to identify them are in Appendix 2 of the electrical manual.

Edit: Elanscan should work on Windows 11 but you'll have to load the correct USB drivers for the cable - See Pinky's manuals site for details.

Trevor
See wiring diagram, Page 4. I think it is pins A10 and A5

Hope thus helps.
John

Thanks Ron and John

Ron, I will download the drivers and see if that helps recognise the cable.

So I managed to get a 'paper clip' test done. It's a bit temperamental a bit like the fault, and doesn't always want to work.

Anyway, code 24 again VSS.

Disconnected battery to clear the code and also unplugged CPU connections and cleaned them with some connector fluid (purchased from Halfords).
Connected everything up again and went out for another run and as before no issue with the VSS and car run perfectly. It wasn't a long run so not sure
it's proved anything.

As suggested by Ron, and it was something I'd thought about, maybe with the help of those at Castle Coombe, Dave Pink?, we can get inside the Instrument
Panel and give the VSS connections a spray with the fluid and see if that helps as well. It appears to my very limited knowledge that it is related to connections
and just needs cleaning up. All the other bits have been changed including the VSS module.

Car goes in on the 10th May for Service and MOT.




Trevor

[chrism]

TrevorB re elanscan, win11 might have allocated it to a different port perhaps? Worth checking as well as refreshing the the USB drivers.

I found that I had to try all the COMM ports 'cos it defaulted to one that didn't work after I loaded it...

[TrevorB]

TrevorB re elanscan, win11 might have allocated it to a different port perhaps? Worth checking as well as refreshing the the USB drivers.

I found that I had to try all the COMM ports 'cos it defaulted to one that didn't work after I loaded it...

Thanks Chris, tried the 3 usb ports but still no joy. Can Smifffy (3 f's!) help?

I might have to bring laptop and cable to Castle Coombe as well.



Trevor

[Fredjohn]

Trevor
I think Chris means Comm ports, not USB ports. Look in elanscan settings for word Comm, then select 1 or 2 or 3 etc etc til you get a response. Mine usually works on Comm 3.

[TrevorB]

Trevor
I think Chris means Comm ports, not USB ports. Look in elanscan settings for word Comm, then select 1 or 2 or 3 etc etc til you get a response. Mine usually works on Comm 3.

oh! I understand, but the laptop is not recognising the cable which it has to in the initial set up of ElanScan. The very first process in the set up.

It all worked when I had Windows 10 but now my laptop has been upgraded to Windows 11 it's not picking up the cable.



Trevor

[chrism]

TrevorB I use my win10 laptop in the car (it's not 'bling' enough to update to win11) and then use a USB dongle to transfer 'Scan data to the win 11 PC indoors. (nb I made sure 'Scan was a fresh install on the win11 PC after it updated)

The l/top starts up Elanscan in 'COMM1' and I have to choose 'COMM8' then press OK to get the second screen. (I think if you just press OK and don't choose a COMM you'll go straight to the second screen where you can get the same option from the Setup box to choose the 'correct' COMM number...)




But perhaps you're you're not even getting either of these screens to begin with, using the win11 upgrade?

If that's the case I'd uninstall Elanscan, switch off, restart then reinstall it knowing that win11 should download the right drivers (w/out knowing differently I'm assuming that your current drivers were originally downloaded in win10 before the win11 upgrade and might be causing problems?)

ps just a thought; is the lead plugged firmly into the car? (I've fallen foul of this a couple of times )

[TrevorB]

So, had a 300 mile round trip to Castle Coombe with no apparent issues with VSS fault. I did push through the revs on way home.
However a short trip to Brands Hatch today and the problem occurred.

What is going! If only we knew.

Patience is a virtue and we will eventually find the problem. I hope!



Trevor

[TrevorB]

YES the problem does still exist!

Took 'Merlot' out for a run this afternoon and the early part of the run everything was fine and I did push it through the 4000rpm level on a couple of occasions. Got caught up in a bit of traffic and engine got warm but not overly. Once I was able to open her up again the problem occurred and continued. There's probably no new thoughts on this as most things have been covered but if there is any fresh words of wisdom it would be gratefully received.

As previous though the car still runs perfectly.

Unable to put ElanScan on as there is still this issue with the drivers, but without confirming with a paper clip test I'm sure Error Code 24 will be present.

I will check things, probably on Monday now.

It won't stop us going on the NKLG Fish and Chip run tomorrow.



Trevor

[Tuga2112]

didnt you find the issue to be a poor connection to the ECU at one point ??

im thinking maybe all you need to do is make sure the connection springy bits between the metals are adding adecuate tension . possibly replacing the connectors ?

[TrevorB]

didnt you find the issue to be a poor connection to the ECU at one point ??

im thinking maybe all you need to do is make sure the connection springy bits between the metals are adding adecuate tension . possibly replacing the connectors ?

Hi Joao

Yes, it did appear to clear the problem but not sure if that's the ultimate fix although it does appear to be something electrical and could be another connection related to the VSS module. But, I'm no expert and continue to be mystified as to what the problem is. It does also appear that it has mystified the 'experts'.

I haven't had the opportunity to check fault code but 99.9% certain it will be code 24. I also haven't had a chance to disconnect the ECU and clean up the contacts again but also not now convinced that's the only issue.

RonR has borrowed my ElanScan cable and hopefully doing some further investigations on the drivers issue with Windows 11.



Trevor

[TrevorB]

Just to remind you all, to save you going back through the thread, the problem lies with the VSS and code 24. What was happening is that at 4000 revs (all gears) the engine did not want to accelerate any further and I had to come off. Lots of thoughts on the issue and quite a few parts changed out. This has been an extremely temperamental problem and all the experts on the forum and at Maidstone Sports Cars have been baffled. One item that hasn't been changed was the ECU. Not cheap and rarely available.
Over the past month I've been able to take the car out for a drive and one occasion the problem occurred and on the other it didn't.
Just recently I was able to purchase a replacement ECU that had same configuration i.e. a 9929 prom for an open loop car. Today I was able to change over the ECU and go for a drive.
I'm not counting my chickens just yet but I am pleased to say that the drive was perfect with no issues and in fact I thought that 'Merlot' performed better than before. If that's even possible!
It will need a couple more exhilarating drives to really test it as we have already experienced in the past how temperamental this problem has been. But, fingers crossed.

Take care ALL.

Trevor

p s. My optimism was warranted. Problem does still exist!!

[TrevorB]

So, let the car cool down and decided to give it another go this afternoon.
As you can see from my p.s.on previous post it reoccurred during a vigorous drive. Normal symptoms, drove perfectly even going through the 4000 rpm. But further on through the drive it came back. So not ECU.
Back to the drawing board.

[TrevorB]

My frustration deepens. Thought I would do a paperclip test this morning to see what errors are stored in the ECU. It just won't work!!
I've done it before so confident that I'm doing it properly but just cannot get it to give me the codes.

Anyone any ideas why it might not be working or some help?



Trevor

[Simon_P]

That's interesting - The VSS and the CEL share the same ignition feed but have different grounds. Does the CEL light when you turn the ignition key?

[Simon_P]

Are the ground for the coil pack and the plenum properly secured?

I can check the coil pack ground, but where is the plenum ground?

Cheers

Trevor

on the drivers side end of the plenum - right by where it meets the intake manifold 0r on the intake manifold 4 black wires.

[Simon_P]

Creating a file from Elanscan
File - Save as
Save in – Desktop (or wherever you choose)
File name: Merlot ddmmyy run1 etc
Locate file in on desktop, zip it, post it on LEC

the file doesn't exist until you have saved it.