Powerjection III EFI unit - 1st start won't run

[Phil 68]

Cross posted to the Powerjection forum, but not likely to get an answer there 'til next week. And my hands are dirty...

This is a PIII system I bought last spring but have only just installed. No software updates downloaded.

Engine: Ford FE 390 ('68 GT), long tube headers, PerformerRPM intake, otherwise stock.

Fuel on Demand returnless system.

Throttle linkage adjustment was done as per instructions.

I started by connecting a laptop, loading the Big Block Base Profile, dropping the torque a bit to 425, and saving. No other changes.

When cranked it will fire, idle for at most 1 or 2 seconds, then shut down. You have to wait a few minutes before it will even fire again.
Air Temperature is at about freezing right now, if that makes a difference.

I've tried giving it a bit of throttle when it fires, in case its an idle speed issue, but no difference.

In the laptop dashboard, the Adaptive Learn light is out... is that just because the engine isn't running?

Fuel On Demand: I've got 45 psi on the gauge at the throttle body. When the key is first turned ON the pump will pressurize, then turn off. It will repressurize 1 or 2 more times (engine not running) then it shuts down. The red LED goes out on the FOD unit, and the laptop will no longer connect. Is this normal? It also did not work with the magnet to set the return mode, I had to set it to Returnless using the laptop.

At this point I'm completely stuck and in need of some help.

Phil

[wellis77]

I hope you get this worked out. I'm of no help but am interested in the PIII for a project in my head, as well as a boat so please post the solution you get, as well as your impressions once it's running and on the road.

[67cougnut]

tagged, waiting to see the end result.

[GrabberGT]

I wish I could help. I am using Powerjection and have had no issues with it.

[sgernon]

I have one of these in my car. Make sure all you fuel and map settings are filled in on the base tables. My system will regularly have a fuel table issue and erase the settings. When this happens it is using the cranking tables to fires then shuts down when it goes to the standard run table.

I also modified almost every setting on my tune. I've found that the standard settings don't work on my car. Since its very cold you may want to change the pulse width settings in the crank table and the cold enrichment as well. There are some good modified tables on the professional products forum.

[Phil 68]

Problem solved - got some good tips from the Powerjection forum.

Bottom line: the control wire to the EFI is fed off of an add-on "Painless" fuse panel, which is driven by a relay so the circuits are only live when the key is on. Looks like the wire I picked to drive the relay is not hot when cranking. The engine was getting a prime shot of fuel, but then the EFI was shutting down when the key was in the crank position. Engine would fire from the prime shot, but wouldn't keep running.

Thread is here:
http://professional-products.com/forum/showthread.php?464-1st-start-won-t-run.-HELP

sgernon: you haven't found that "Adaptive Learn" is good enough? I was really hoping for plug&play on this, I don't want to be programming tables (and am not knowledgable enough to do so)

Cheers
Phil

[sgernon]

I'd say the adaptive learn is better than trying to manually set up the full system but I would also say that you need to figure out if the baseline data needs to be aligned first before relying on the adaptive learn. For my car the RPM and MAP tables make a huge difference due to the fact that I only have ~6-7" of vacuum at idle. I also discovered I would rather not use the preset fuel curves and calculations. I am much happier after creating a custom table using the "levelall" password. Overall once te base is set the adaptive learn does much more than I ever could to set the real tune. I am happy with the system overall

[lfdsteve]

Did the Powerjection forum get shut down? Are they totaly kuput? I had be visiting frequently for tuning help now nothing? Any ideas.

[TheJDMan]

Did the Powerjection forum get shut down? Are they totaly kuput? I had be visiting frequently for tuning help now nothing? Any ideas.

That concerns me, I was considering the PIII system but if the forum is gone I will likely rethink that.