Here we go again... another Trouble Code...

Here we go again... another Trouble Code...

Author
Discussion

StuRo

Original Poster:

138 posts

125 months

Friday 27th March 2015
quotequote all
Hey guys,

It's that time of the month again for the Ro.... (at least it feels that way hehe).

She threw another engine light on the way home yesterday, but nothing this morning.

Strange that it happened (or not at all, depending on how you look at it!) as it was only yesterday morning that i was reading up on a common LPG issue: I have a slightly rougher idle when on LPG... i think it's developed gradually so i didn't notice it until recently. I'm hoping that this check engine light is related to that and not a separate issue. it means getting the code read again though (always a good starting point if it's there!)

Some of you may recall me having huge difficulties getting the last code read... well now I'm in the same boat again (since there are no guarantees that the CEL and the LPG issue are related).

Apparently this is a common thing with LPG as it needs a slightly stronger spark so it could be that replacing the HT leads or plugs will solve it...unless it's one of the lpg injectors (also a likely cause)... anyone on here had similar issues?

I've seen on the 'Fish's website that upgrading to Magnecors are recommended for LPG systems... anyone done this?

KMud

2,924 posts

162 months

Friday 27th March 2015
quotequote all
Can't you drive around with the LPG disabled to troubleshoot?

Wyld Stallyn

2,056 posts

134 months

Friday 27th March 2015
quotequote all
Have you tried resetting the PCM?

StuRo

Original Poster:

138 posts

125 months

Friday 27th March 2015
quotequote all
KMud said:
Can't you drive around with the LPG disabled to troubleshoot?
I can, and will but since it's thrown the code I may as well have that read to see if my suspicions are confirmed. I also will be getting the lpg system checked regardless (it's still under warranty) as it may just be a faulty injector. I just wondered if anyone had experienced the same on here and interested to know how it was resolved. I read that one guy adjusted the spark gap which totally cured a very similar issue.

StuRo

Original Poster:

138 posts

125 months

Friday 27th March 2015
quotequote all
Wyld Stallyn said:
Have you tried resetting the PCM?
Can this be done without a scan tool?

Cheers

Wyld Stallyn

2,056 posts

134 months

Friday 27th March 2015
quotequote all
StuRo said:
Wyld Stallyn said:
Have you tried resetting the PCM?
Can this be done without a scan tool?

Cheers
Yep: First warm up engine - go for a drive

Switch Off Ignition

Remove Eng Cont/BCM fuse (2nd one in nearest the drivers side in the engine bay fuse box on my LS2 VXR)

Switch on ignition - Loads of error messages will come up - ignore them and Press reset button - Switch off Ignition

Replace the fuse

Switch On Ignition and Start Engine

Go For a Drive

This only resets the 'bad habits' the car has 'learned' - Not the tune tables

Hope it helps

Chewie


blue666uk

690 posts

130 months

Friday 27th March 2015
quotequote all
I guess we have very identical cars - Blue CV8's with LPG.

Mine was running pretty rough when I got in on LPG, but at 60,000, think the plugs were on their last legs. Decided to get a whole new set of plugs, and whilst at it, some upgraded leads (the good ones from Monkfish), which was lucky, as when changing the plugs, the rear two leads disintegrated. LPG does require the sparks and leads to be in tip top condition. The above totally cured the rough running on my car (another issue was pulling up to junctions, it would sometimes stall). If you're in any doubt as to the age and condition of your plugs and leads, that would be my first port of call.

I may not get the terminology right here, I'm no mechanical expert, but secondly, any mods that get done that change the performance of the car in terms of engine and engine related items, including exhausts, manifolds, cats, CAI's, cams, mapping will all likely need the LPG ECU looked at. The latest LPG ECU's are very good and self-learning to a degree, but still operate within a certain window of parameters. Different mods will mean your petrol fueling system behaves differently to factory, especially if mapping has been undertaken, which means the LPG ECU starts looking for the 'wrong' set of parameters. Mine through up a load of CEL's after having a few bits done last year (exhaust, CAI, map), took it back to the LPG chap who adjusted the LPG ECU and it was fine after that. I have since had headers and cats fitted and it's started throwing up the occasional CEL again (only when on LPG), but before taking it back to LPG man, going to get the car remapped properly with the latest Wortec map, then take it back to LPG man t adjust LPG ECU again (he loves the car so luckily for me doesn't charge).

Hope that helps.

jameshsv

5,844 posts

166 months

Friday 27th March 2015
quotequote all
Wyld Stallyn said:
Yep: First warm up engine - go for a drive

Switch Off Ignition

Remove Eng Cont/BCM fuse (2nd one in nearest the drivers side in the engine bay fuse box on my LS2 VXR)

Switch on ignition - Loads of error messages will come up - ignore them and Press reset button - Switch off Ignition

Replace the fuse

Switch On Ignition and Start Engine

Go For a Drive

This only resets the 'bad habits' the car has 'learned' - Not the tune tables

Hope it helps

Chewie
you sure that's the correct procedure for resetting the pcm

Wyld Stallyn

2,056 posts

134 months

Friday 27th March 2015
quotequote all
jameshsv said:
Wyld Stallyn said:
Yep: First warm up engine - go for a drive

Switch Off Ignition

Remove Eng Cont/BCM fuse (2nd one in nearest the drivers side in the engine bay fuse box on my LS2 VXR)

Switch on ignition - Loads of error messages will come up - ignore them and Press reset button - Switch off Ignition

Replace the fuse

Switch On Ignition and Start Engine

Go For a Drive

This only resets the 'bad habits' the car has 'learned' - Not the tune tables

Hope it helps

Chewie
you sure that's the correct procedure for resetting the pcm
Found it on here - worked on my LS2 'Ro, but if you have a better way I R all ears

PhillW

196 posts

176 months

Friday 27th March 2015
quotequote all
I can read the codes for you again if it will help, I will be around Sheffield, Dodworth and Leeds at various times this weekend.

jameshsv

5,844 posts

166 months

Friday 27th March 2015
quotequote all
ign on remove fuse wait 20 seconds ign off replace fuse start engine

StuRo

Original Poster:

138 posts

125 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for all the feedback guys smile

I tried what Chewie suggested yesterday after I got home. I'm not sure where the 'reset' button is? but I followed the other steps and it seems to have worked (in terms of resetting the PCM) since it was definitely 'relearning' it's idling speed etc.

So far it does actually seem more stable and the code hasn't popped up since... (watch this space Phil, I may need your assistance again if the code persists. Really appreciate the offer though mate, I think you're my only hope when it comes to these codes! bow

Speaking of which, does anyone know of any particular settings that should be used for the Launch X431? This guy I know couldn't get his to read anything other than SRS, ABS and immobiliser apparently... confused

I'll see how she goes over the next couple of days, especially when cold. It might be worth ugrading the HT leads in any case... does anyone think it's worth it/done this from an LPG perspective?

Thanks again guys,

Stu

StuRo

Original Poster:

138 posts

125 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
quotequote all
blue666uk said:
I guess we have very identical cars - Blue CV8's with LPG.

Mine was running pretty rough when I got in on LPG, but at 60,000, think the plugs were on their last legs. Decided to get a whole new set of plugs, and whilst at it, some upgraded leads (the good ones from Monkfish), which was lucky, as when changing the plugs, the rear two leads disintegrated. LPG does require the sparks and leads to be in tip top condition. The above totally cured the rough running on my car (another issue was pulling up to junctions, it would sometimes stall). If you're in any doubt as to the age and condition of your plugs and leads, that would be my first port of call.

I may not get the terminology right here, I'm no mechanical expert, but secondly, any mods that get done that change the performance of the car in terms of engine and engine related items, including exhausts, manifolds, cats, CAI's, cams, mapping will all likely need the LPG ECU looked at. The latest LPG ECU's are very good and self-learning to a degree, but still operate within a certain window of parameters. Different mods will mean your petrol fueling system behaves differently to factory, especially if mapping has been undertaken, which means the LPG ECU starts looking for the 'wrong' set of parameters. Mine through up a load of CEL's after having a few bits done last year (exhaust, CAI, map), took it back to the LPG chap who adjusted the LPG ECU and it was fine after that. I have since had headers and cats fitted and it's started throwing up the occasional CEL again (only when on LPG), but before taking it back to LPG man, going to get the car remapped properly with the latest Wortec map, then take it back to LPG man t adjust LPG ECU again (he loves the car so luckily for me doesn't charge).

Hope that helps.
Sorry, just read this! I can be a lemon sometimes... clap

Yep, blue CV8 running on the cheap stuff smile

I think I'll invest in some fresh leads for now anyway, can't really hurt to upgrade them by the sounds of things

As long as it doesn't stop me coming down for the V8UK event, I'm happy biggrin

Cheers guys

granjuiceymoose

309 posts

166 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
quotequote all
I'm pretty sure I've got standard HT leads and don't have any issues with the LPG. I've recently replaced all the spark plugs though at the last service 67k miles.

First time I've heard of upgrading the HT leads from an LPG point of view. Also this thread answered some other questions I was going to ask. I was looking at getting some headers and high flow cats and wasn't sure how it would affect the LPG.

granjuiceymoose

309 posts

166 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
quotequote all
I'm pretty sure I've got standard HT leads and don't have any issues with the LPG. I've recently replaced all the spark plugs though at the last service 67k miles.

First time I've heard of upgrading the HT leads from an LPG point of view. Also this thread answered some other questions I was going to ask. I was looking at getting some headers and high flow cats and wasn't sure how it would affect the LPG.

blue666uk

690 posts

130 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
quotequote all
The other thing is MOT, you check out the emissions results when you present it come MOT time and run it on LPG, even with high flow 200 cell cats, it passed the test by a country mile, reckon it'd pass with 100 cell cats with no issues at all. Have noticed it doesn't quite pop, crackle and bang quite so much on LPG though. I know it has it's doubters, but when I had to drive from Kent to Donington last weekend for a lenghty slog on the M25 and M1, I know what I preferred running for all the boring drive there and back.

Wyld Stallyn

2,056 posts

134 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
quotequote all
StuRo said:
Thanks for all the feedback guys smile

I tried what Chewie suggested yesterday after I got home. I'm not sure where the 'reset' button is? but I followed the other steps and it seems to have worked (in terms of resetting the PCM) since it was definitely 'relearning' it's idling speed etc.

So far it does actually seem more stable and the code hasn't popped up since...

Stu
Sorry My Bad - Meant the 'Mode' button on the Dash getmecoatlaugh

granjuiceymoose

309 posts

166 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
quotequote all
blue666uk said:
The other thing is MOT, you check out the emissions results when you present it come MOT time and run it on LPG, even with high flow 200 cell cats, it passed the test by a country mile, reckon it'd pass with 100 cell cats with no issues at all. Have noticed it doesn't quite pop, crackle and bang quite so much on LPG though. I know it has it's doubters, but when I had to drive from Kent to Donington last weekend for a lenghty slog on the M25 and M1, I know what I preferred running for all the boring drive there and back.
Exactly my thinking with it. I visited family in Oxford in January, 500 mile round trip and it used £55 of LPG. No point wasting the V Nitro sat in traffic on a motorway. Also you're right not half as many pops an bangs on LPG, that an the premiuim it stuck on my insurance are the only draw backs I can find so far biggrin

StuRo

Original Poster:

138 posts

125 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
quotequote all
Strange... I'm sure mine pops more on LPG! smile

chrisgixer

153 posts

166 months

Saturday 28th March 2015
quotequote all
StuRo said:
Hey guys,

It's that time of the month again for the Ro.... (at least it feels that way hehe).

She threw another engine light on the way home yesterday, but nothing this morning.

Strange that it happened (or not at all, depending on how you look at it!) as it was only yesterday morning that i was reading up on a common LPG issue: I have a slightly rougher idle when on LPG... i think it's developed gradually so i didn't notice it until recently. I'm hoping that this check engine light is related to that and not a separate issue. it means getting the code read again though (always a good starting point if it's there!)

Some of you may recall me having huge difficulties getting the last code read... well now I'm in the same boat again (since there are no guarantees that the CEL and the LPG issue are related).

Apparently this is a common thing with LPG as it needs a slightly stronger spark so it could be that replacing the HT leads or plugs will solve it...unless it's one of the lpg injectors (also a likely cause)... anyone on here had similar issues?

I've seen on the 'Fish's website that upgrading to Magnecors are recommended for LPG systems... anyone done this?
Lpg is indeed harder to ignite. So any weekness in the ignition system and it will missfire on lpg before it does on petrol. However if in good Nic the standard ignition set up is more than ample for trouble free running provided the lpg set up is good and the fuel trims haven't drifted off. How old are the plugs?

It would be good to know what the fault code is before going further though.