Hey guys. I have a turbocharged 2002 RSX type S running 10 lbs. of boost. The issue is, every time I get on it, the car shuts down and I lose all throttle. The CEL comes on when this happens, but clears as soon as the car is restarted so I am unable to pull the code when it happens. This has never happened before, but now it happens every time I try to get on it a little. The car drives fine at normal RPMs. Any ideas anyone could provide would be much appreciated.

 

I guess it is not really limp mode, more of a complete shut down, because I could not "limp home" when the issue occurs. I apologize for the incorrect use of the term "limp mode". The only ideas I have are a possible VTEC malfunction or possibly the MAP sensor. Someone please give me some input. Thanks in advance.

 

has it been tuned...?

 

No, it hasn't been tuned. I had planned to have it tuned after I get a few other things taken care of. But, it has always ran great up until recently. I should probably also mention that the shut down usually occurs in 3rd gear.

 

stop boosting it and get it tuned ASAP. You honestly shouldnt even be driving it. The stock ECU is freaking out when it sees boost because it wasnt programmed to deal with positive pressure

 

EPIC FAIL !

 

when will people understand you cant just throw boost at a car and not tune it, or when to google something ebfore you do it atleast

 

the stock ecu will probly be able to handle 2psi of + pressure after that itws going after your wallet

 

Well, I didn't boost it. I bought it boosted with the intention of working on it as I had the opportunity. It is not a daily driver and never had a problem before. I have driven it on and off for 2 years with no problems. I didn't post in this forum to be bashed, I posted to receive information so please be respectful. If there is a possible MAP problem or VTEC issue, I would prefer to fix this before it is tuned. I know the car needs to be tuned, I'm not an idiot and I am quite familiar with google. I'm just trying to get some other issues taken care of before doing so. Like I said, its not a daily driver, it is just a project car. Thank you for your response viper_boy403, but I am curious, why didn't the ECU freak out before? What went wrong to cause the ECU to start freaking out? I haven't changed anything significant. Thats what has me confused.

 

the information is no matter what it needs to be tuned, and not it might be to late to even save the motor from the sound of it man. to continue to drive a boosted car untuned no matter if its dailey, or a few times a week is a ticking time bomb and it sounds like yours went off on you already.

now does it drive normal without any boost at all, and only do it when you start to add positive pressure?

 

Thanks sanman000719. I will make getting it tuned a first priority then and take care of the other issues later. The car runs fine as long as you don't hit and maintain boost in 3rd gear, thats when the shut down consistently occurs. Everything works perfectly fine in 1st and 2nd, even with boost. And by the way, I'm not a "man".

 

well hello there lol

but seriousely get it tuned i hope its not to late to save it been there done that so experience in this area i have lol

 

but on the flip side

woman still has the word man in it haha

 

Well hello to you too... And thank you for your input.

 

no problem ive spent alot of money learning this fun game

 

Well your experience is much appreciated.

 

i got a buddy in ky thats pretty good with the k's

 

I appreciate that! KY isn't too far from me, so I will definitely talk to him.

 

lol at how the tone changed when we find out its a girl.

to elaborate on the situation...the CEL is coming on because the ECU is detecting positive (boost pressure). the stock ecu is not programmed for boost so it goes to limp mode to protect the motor. as mentioned before, it needs to be tuned to add the proper maps (fuel and ignition) for boost.

what turbo are you running? depending on the size you may not be making much boost in lower gears if you aren't going WOT. this would be why you only experience the CEL under sustained boost in higher gear.

PS - Hondata K-Pro is about $1,000 plus tuning. So you are looking at about $1,500 for tuning. Didn't want you to be sticker shocked. It's worth every penny

 

not really it changed before that but i guess you cant tell due to being a man

 

dpetro1, thanks for your input. I was thinking that the shut down had something to do with the MAP as you stated, but I still cannot figure out why this started happening all of a sudden. It seems like the stock ECU would have shut the car down from the very beginning. I have been looking at the K-Pro and that is the management system I will most likely go with. I have heard great things about them. The car has a T3/T4 50 trim on it, but I am planning on replacing it eventually. Not sure what size I plan to go with yet.

sanman000719, does you friend in KY tune K-Pro? He doesn't have it listed on his website, or at least I couldn't find it anywhere. I may have overlooked it though.

 

my car recently starting running poorly and gave me code for the map sensor, i reset it and it went away but im still changing it to a 3 bar and getting a retune, the person u bought the car from must have tuned it or used a basemap or something, your car would not have run well at all in boost especially higher rpm because of the spark advance, especially for 2 years. can u contact the person u bought it from and maybe get some info on it?

 

yes he does he ahs tuned quite a few from tn actually

 

Hey how's it going?

If you need any help, I offer my services 7 days a week. I would be more than happy to help, I really enjoy tuning the k series cars. They are hands down my favorite engines.

I can assure you that I will take the time needed to make it 100% right, just as if it was my personal car. I offer same day service, dyno tuned right in front of you. My prices are very affordable and customer satisfaction is my number one priority.

Check out my website below for more information.

If you have any questions, need anything or would like to setup an appointment, please feel free to contact me anytime, day or night.

Thanks for your business and time
DK

 

Whiterice-gsr, unfortunately I have no way of contacting him. I bought the car from a dealership. The guy had traded it in and I couldn't pass it up for the condition and price. I had never thought of that, but that is a very valid point. The guy was running a SAFC. I knew from the beginning that I needed a better engine management and added it to my to do list along with a laundry list of other things. LOL. Thank you very much for your input!

sanman000719, thank you very much for your help. I see that he is on this forum as well.

Boosted_B_Series, thank you for your reply. I have been on your website looking around and your prices are very affordable. I really appreciate your dedication. All of the tuning shops in my area are not very good, so I will be coming to see you as soon as I have a couple extra grand to get the things I need. Thanks again!