Unable to command Intake Cams (Not Phasing)
 

Hi all,

So Ive done some searches and I cant find anything so it is my apology if this is already a thread, I will give every bit of information I can on my issue, please if you have anything to add, I would seriously appreciate it.
Current parts:

FBM turbo kit 2871r 1000cc injectors
built short block and titanium beehive springs
*let me know if you need any other parts or info*

Ive had my FRS dropped off at a shop for about 2-3 months now, and we have been encountering a problem. Its either software related, or hardware clearly but we cant determine which. They cannot get both intake cams to phase at all. We have replaced the cam position sensors on both ends, cleaned and tested every single sensor on the top of the block near those cams and the bulkhead connector was tested and cleaned, but still no movement in the intake cams. Voltage is reading 0 at the cams, but not at any of the sensors near. Oil control valves were replaced earlier this year, and a timing cover job was done. We have also used some expensive dealership tool to completely wipe every bit of brain and reset this car all the way, and still no command on intake side.

Again, if this is a post already I am extremely sorry, if you can help at all please shoot a reply or a dm and I will be checking often. :thanks:

Are you getting p00xx codes?

sad part is, we dont really think we should run it much longer than about a few seconds, its not doing great. But, we will be trying to check codes today, we will just shoot and let it run for a little while and get those codes.

Ill reply to this when I get those.

Doesn't the engine have to be close to operating temperature for the ecu to activate the cam phasers?

How long since this combo was built till having issues? What was the most recent thing done to the car? Was the engine built just to upgrade, or was the upgrade because of failure?

I have a feeling you have multiple things going on, the cam correlation issue should still allow it to run okay unless it is mechanically out of time. I was asking because I am assuming you are getting P0019-0021 specifically since those are a common issue and it sounds like what you have going on. Here is a thread on it, most importantly post 6 and 15.


https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152381

I believe so, but it should still be going though it’s initial position value reset procedure on start up.

thank you so much for the link to that thread, I appreciate it tons.

So I got my motor built back in march because i spun all 4 main bearings and one rod bearing, and threw it all together in april with fully upgraded parts and extras, came out to about $7000 total for the engine rebuild parts. Everything was great, I was very happy with the car until I wasnt and I started smelling oil, did some looking around and it was timing cover leak over by the coolant res.. I took it over to the shop and since then thats where the cars been since. I didnt let the oil leak much. When i took it there they fixed the timing cover and oil control solenoids, position sensors, and all gaskets and seals. Then we expected the car to work but I guess it hasnt.

I asked my mechanic what codes and he literally said they havent ran the car long enough which just sounds strange i guess. Im gonna head over there sometime and go check it out myself because it never had any of these problems on this exact build before i took it in so we will see.

Ill look over the thread you sent, and Ill post information here when I get it. Thank you

Did he replace the cam gears? They can get gummed up from the bearing material.

I actually recall that being brought up in the list of next things to try/look at, so I will let him know to take a look, thank you so much.

hes gonna be letting it warm up first soon, ill let you know

Monitoring shows that the VVT servos wake up as soon as the vehicle starts rolling. I'll publish the screen recording this weekend.

I was wrong about it having anything to do with rolling. After doing a better job of picking and logging parameters, I started monitoring cold starts. After many trials, all while standing still, I've learned that the VVT system wakes up 37.7 seconds after the engine is started, every time.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct4RfNhy5Ic

37.7 seconds. That's interesting. I just swapped my ECU. I did the 30 minute reprogram thingy. When I restarted the car my cel came back on for the P0341 code in something less than a minute. I bet if I had timed it, it would have been 37.7 seconds.