Zeitronix ECA errors
 

Hi guys.
So I did a DIY on my own Flex Fuel kit. I used the Zeitronix ECA and the GM FF sensor in the engine bay.

I have checked all of my connections and made sure it's properly grounded, but on pump 93 it's reading 37% E content which is almost certainly completely wrong.

How can I go about locating the source of this error. From what I can tell on the zeitronix site, this is equaling about 1.7 volts on the output line.

So Zeitronix says make sure I'm not using the return fuel line.
But I have no idea which one that is, can't seem to find a flow chart.

I used the one closest to the firewall (rear of car)

Does anyone know which lines are which?

THanks

It actually doesn't matter if you use the feed or return line, or even the port or DI feed line. Additionally, the Continental ethanol sensor is omnidirectional and it does not matter which way the fuel flows through it. This is almost certainly a faulty ECA.

If you don't want the headache, there's always this one ;)

www.delicioustuning.com/flexfuel

Sincerely,

Zach
Delicious Tuning

Can you elaborate on how you wired it all up. Thanks.

Ok, green from ECA to white on contintental/gm
Orange from ECA and pink/black from continental to a red wire connecting to 10A seat heater fuse
Brown from ECA and Black from continental to black wire connecting to ground point.

Blue from ECA to PIN 21 on ECU

I think it's the sensor. I pulled it out of the fuel line and powered it on with just air, reads 25%
If it's telling me my fuel is 37% then it's probably actually 12% (shit gas) with a 25% off reading....

We've seen a couple Continental sensors fail over the years, and they always read 0% when they do so. :/

Sincerely,

Zach
Delicious Tuning

Bummer, it does seem to be a bad sensor. Please keep the thread updated as you get it all fixed. Good luck.

BTW, where did you purchase the fuel lines?

Summit racing. I'm working on a writeup, but once it's not fucked up I"ll post it.

I have a new FF sensor on the way from a gauranteed working brand new parts seller in the US, won't take a month from China and if it's fucked up I can talk to them.

I will note that I spoke with Zeitronix via email and they were more helpful than they needed to be. They could have said "bad ff sensor, sorry" but the guy reviewed my install and had my troubleshoot, so huge props to them.

Zeitronix is top notch. No Chinese toy gauges, just honest "does what it's supposed to" gauges. Thanks, looking forward to your write up.

Just FYI for future reference, our car does not have a return line, our fuel system is "returnless"

Did you build your own fuel lines as well?

What do you mean?

I vaguely recall you DIYing your flex fuel kit instead of buying of the shelf.

Ahh, yes, I did make my own fuel lines. I bought a partial used kit (with no fuel lines) and made my own.

Cool thanks for the info. I plan on doing the same but I'm a bit timid. I don't feel like BBQing my car. :bonk::bellyroll:

I actually have one of those COOKING HOT kits :bellyroll:

:lol: Oh boy! If you have a link to any DIY line threads, or link to off the shelf lines sold separately, shoot 'em my way.

My lines are pretty rudimentary, compared to what's available right now. In all honesty, if I were doing it today I'd either buy Moto East FF kit, or at least get his fuel lines. It's really plug and play with his hardware. I had to disconnect and replace my fuel line.

Really? I think i poked @moto-mike for some fuel lines but would not sell separately. Don't quote me on it.

Edit: NVM
http://www.moto-east.com/store/ft86/...ines-ft86.html

LOL I just quoted you to paste the link.

I think he initially didn't sell them but does now. But let me tell you, his kit is a hell of a deal.. Using rear O2, no display. If I had to do it, I would get that one.

Thanks bud. I'll get it all up once I cross that bridge.:respekt:

So update,
New GM FF sensor on the way, should be here Wed. I'll install it then and see what the deal is. Seems like the sensor right now is sending 1.75ish volts constantly, so something's up for sure.

UPDATE!
Just got my new FF sensor in and installed.
SAME FUCKING DEAL!!!! It reads 25% even when there's nothing but air in it......

Bumping this thread to see if OP got it all to work, and also have a question for @Sportsguy83. I have a quick question about the Moto FF kit that sells for $649 with display. Their FF lines are $249, EVAP ECU PnP harness $149, and E-content analyzer (Zeitronix website) is $239, all totaling $637. Am I missing something important, or is it cheaper (albeit a few bucks) to buy separately?

I think they throw in a free NA flex tune or fi tune if you moteast customer or discounted tune if not if you buy the whole kit from memory check with them though

Gotcha, thanks for that. I'll definitely check with them when I'm ready. Just making sure that I didn't leave out any hardware.

I'd check with them for the specifics. :thumbsup:

Standard Continental sensors are supposed to send 50Hz with Gasoline and 150Hz at E100.

I acquired a couple of eBay Conti sensors that sent 80Hz and 82Hz in pure Gasoline (72Hz and 74Hz in free air respectively). I wonder if some of these generic sensors have gotten sold into the supply chain or if the default specs have changed. Where did you buy yours from? The generic seller told me that their sensors all behaved the same frequency response-wise

I've currently got a (think it is genuine) Conti sensor that sends 50Hz in free air and 55Hz in gasoline.

If you want to calibrate your sensor to cope with a skew reading, have a look at my flex-fuel thread. I can send you arduino code and circuit for sensor calibration.

So how does that work? Does arduino need to sit inline with the system or is it more like a flash?

So does the arduino reprogram the internal cpu on the FF sensor or does it retranslate the signal to the eca unit

Arduino sits inline with the ECA and reads the frequency sent by the ECA then sends out whatever output you program into it based on the frequency read. It does not reprogram the ECA sensor.

Hmm. Might be an option, trying not to complicate the circuit too much. Plus I don't have an arduino

SUCCESS!!
Turns out it was the FF Sensors. I bought one from GMPARTSDIRECT.COM and it worked. Turns out there are knockoffs out there. I'll post a picture forthwith in order to highlight the differences. Really can't tell until you get the two units together.

Awesome! Glad to hear that it all worked out. Did you not get an FF sensor with the Zeitronix kit?

Nope, they're $180 with zeitronix, i got it for $65 at gmpartsdirect.

If you take a look at the picture here. The top one is a chinese knockoff FF sensor. WOuld never have known if I didn't get a good one.
Note it says Made in Mexico but I doubt it.

If you look at both under the light, the GM one is obviously molded while on the knockoff you can see very lightly there are machining marks all over it.

I guess what I meant to ask is if you didn't initially get one with your kit.