Running A R34 With A Stagea Ecu

[Hanaldo]

Hey all,

As some of you are aware from my posts in the Hypergear thread, I've been having trouble with my stock ECU running NIStune pulling fuel/timing randomly because I have deleted traction control. After discussing the problem with Matt at NIStune Developments, we decided that to clear the traction control error code from the ECU we would try reprogramming my ECU with a 08V10 WC34 S2 Stagea image. Now Matt tried this configuration on the bench, as well as in his own car, and it should have worked. I'm also aware of people on here who are running Stagea ECU's in their 34 no worries (looking at you Ron).

However, after picking up the ECU from the post office yesterday and plugging it all back in, the car now won't start. The engine cranks, but won't fire. I figured it must not be getting spark, so I plugged in my laptop to check DTC's and sure enough the error code [21] Ignition Signal popped up. Now before I sent the ECU off to be reprogrammed, the car was running fine, I had been driving it the day before I removed it. I have not changed anything else while the car has been sitting there, I just disconnected the battery, unplugged the ECU, and it has been sitting there ever since.

Am I missing something here that I need to do or change? What exactly does this code mean, I figured it means the ECU is not getting a signal from the coilpacks?

... Halp?

Cheers,

Martin.

[DVS JEZ]

Did he only do a reprogramme?

Try doing a compare file against the tune before u sent it.

Do u still have the tune on ur laptop

[Hanaldo]

As far as I know, I don't know the exact process?

Yep, have still got the .bin file from the last tune. Downloaded the one from the ECU and they are exactly the same.

[rondofj]

Yep thats me - stagea ecu on R34 with R34 maps n nistune - no dramas, no traction control tho..

[Hanaldo]

That's the objective ^

[DVS JEZ]

Any luck getting it started.? Have u tried unplug and replugging the ecu back in?

[Hanaldo]

Haven't got it started yet, gonna have a look at the pins on the ecu, make sure nothing was damaged during postage.

[DVS JEZ]

Had a really long chat with Matt from NIStune last night, he was saying ur ecu ran his car perfectly,

So there is no spark? is that correct? Use a timing light from the loop wire and see if there is a signal coming from ecu, or an LED test light.

Do u have an alarm that may be causing u issue's ?

[Hanaldo]

Yeh I've been speaking to Matt as well, he said his car actually ran better with the Stagea image given there was no bog down from TCS or ABS. So it should definitely work.

Correct, no spark. Have taken out a spark plug just to be 100% sure, and there's nothing. The coilpacks are not getting power, I tested that as well, so it's not failed coilpacks. I never got round to checking the ECU for damage yesterday, was out all day. Doing that now, so will update if I find anything.

Side-note* Biggest thumbs up for Matt and NIStune Developments, he didn't charge me a cent for the reprogramming and has been a massive help in trying to diagnose my problems both before and after the reprogramming. Top bloke.

[Crans]

Does the Stegea that this ECU came with have the same CAS your car has?

Dont forget the polarity change of the later CAS on the skyline

Its a long shot considering Matt's car worked

[dori34]

seems like more trouble than its worth man,

might need to bite the bullet and get a new ecu like a link/vipec/haltech or PFC & save yourself the headache.

[GTSBoy]

I'm leaning towards you not having the ECU plugged in properly. Want to try to reseat it? Now, I know that you've been able to connect via Nistune, so it sounds like it's plugged in properly, but go have a look to see if any pins have been pushed back out of the plug, and probe with a meter to look for power on the pins you know should have it (like the injectors and igniition, CAS, AFM).

[Crans]

Maybe some contact cleaner on the ecu loom pins aswell

[Hanaldo]

Right, all sorted.

I'm leaning towards you not having the ECU plugged in properly. Want to try to reseat it? Now, I know that you've been able to connect via Nistune, so it sounds like it's plugged in properly, but go have a look to see if any pins have been pushed back out of the plug, and probe with a meter to look for power on the pins you know should have it (like the injectors and igniition, CAS, AFM).

This was spot on man. Turns out pin 31 (ignition power supply) had been pushed in a little bit, so it wasn't making contact anymore. I've pulled the pin out and replaced it, and everything is running perfectly now Now just have to sort out my boost sensor error code and then I'll get it back on the dyno to see if it makes a difference.

seems like more trouble than its worth man,

might need to bite the bullet and get a new ecu like a link/vipec/haltech or PFC & save yourself the headache.

Yeh, well a PFC would give me the exact same problems as I was having before, so the reprogrammed NIStune is a much better option if it works. I would love to get the Vipec or Link, but realistically at $3500 it's not something I can afford to go out and do just willy nilly. I'd have to crunch some serious numbers, and then I don't even know if it will solve anything, I might find I still have problems and am no better off apart from having a fancy ECU.

Edited February 2, 2012 by Hanaldo

[GTSBoy]

Good stuff.

[DVS JEZ]

Jasons S14 had boost sensor error too. Turn it off in feedback. Lower left of nistune programme

[Hanaldo]

Is it as simple as that though? Doesn't that just stop the ECU flagging it, it doesn't stop it from affecting the tune if it's doing so? Otherwise I'm set haha.

[Crans]

find the wire in the engine bay that feeds the boost signal to the ecu. in that loom will also be a 5v power supply feed the 5v to the ecu signal with a resistor inbetween and lower it to 1v should hopefully stop the error

[DVS JEZ]

If u turn feedback off will fix it. If u turn off DTC flags just doesnt show as a code. Not all ecu's have feedback switch. I havent looked at the neo and my laotop is in car aaand its raining.

Remind me tomorrow.

[Hanaldo]

Haha that's ok Jez, I'll check tonight.

I think it's just flags on the Neo though; Pete also mentioned the resistor fix so if I can't switch feedback off then I'll give that a go.