Trouble code and fuel pump voltage booster

Jack B

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I recently added a voltage booster and subsequently generated a constant trouble code. The voltage booster was added for more pump capacity. There are two sources, Kenne Belle and MSD. I bought the kit from Sean Roe. He takes the MSD kit and modifies it for the Viper. The code that was generated was P0505, that is a malfuction in the Idle Air Control (IAC)motor. There is no circuit association between the IAC circuit and the fuel pump circuit. In addition, the pump was isolated thru a relay. Therefore, it was hard to understand the cause, it was almost as though the two were not related and the code simply only happened by coincidence during the install of the booster.

After about ten hours of trouble shooting with a multimeter and scan tool. I came to the conclusion the IAC circuit was not the cause. That specific code can be set during motor-run or on motor start. I narrowed this code down to the key-on cycle and specifically when the fuel pump cycled, therefore, coming back to the voltage booster again. The power to the relay was fed directly from the PDC post, therefore, this was not a voltage drop issue. I electrically shielded the booster and that did not help. I then fed the booster directly from the battery and the problem stopped. With capacity and radiated electronic noise (EMI) eliminated, the only answer is the high frequency noise created in the conversion circuit was induced into the PCM and generating an error code, it just happended to be an IAC code, it could just as well have been an O2 code.

I know that more than myself have had a a P0505 (IAC) trouble code. It appears that high frequency electronic noise could be the culprit and it is not an IAC issue at all, perhaps this post can shed some light on the problem. I also bought the Kenne Belle booster and I may try it to see if it also presents a problem. A point of interest, if you adjust the voltage to 17.5 volts (at low vacuum), the capacity at the pump is increased about 50%, that probably equates to 30-35% true volume. Both the MSD and Kenne Belle units have regulated outputs which keep the volume constant, which makes the tuning process more consistent.
 

Ulysses

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More than likely a sinusoidal wave was transmitted to the PDC from the booster/fuel pump and from there to the pcm and or the sensors. The pdc being closer to the actual pcm made this easier to happen. Relocating the power line to the battery solved the problem since the sinusoid would now have to deal with the battery and the resistance of the power line to the pdc.
 

FLX109

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OK, where is the PDC post and what do I connect and disconnect to eliminate this code? Can someone run me through the changeover to the starter instead of the PDC post?
 
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THANKS BE TO JACK and ULYSSES!!! Based on their analysis, I moved the power feed for the MSD relay from the PDC down to the starter and have NOT HAD a single check engine light since....and I'm talking MANY key-on sequences. I let Sean and The Wizard know, and The Wizard confirmed. Not only did he confirm, but he reverse tested as well. He told me he could get the CEL repeatedly every 4-5 cycles of key-on. Moved power lead to starter...not a single CEL in over 20 key-on tries. Move power BACK to PDC....CEL within 4 key-on's. I have no idea when I'll be in Ohio...but Jack gets a round on me!!

FLX109....I followed the poser lead from the MSD box, to the relay on the side of the PCM housing...then followed the power from there back to the PDC. I simply re-wired to the starter. I'll try to take some pics in a bit if that will help.
 

FLX109

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THANKS BE TO JACK and ULYSSES!!! Based on their analysis, I moved the power feed for the MSD relay from the PDC down to the starter and have NOT HAD a single check engine light since....and I'm talking MANY key-on sequences. I let Sean and The Wizard know, and The Wizard confirmed. Not only did he confirm, but he reverse tested as well. He told me he could get the CEL repeatedly every 4-5 cycles of key-on. Moved power lead to starter...not a single CEL in over 20 key-on tries. Move power BACK to PDC....CEL within 4 key-on's. I have no idea when I'll be in Ohio...but Jack gets a round on me!!

FLX109....I followed the poser lead from the MSD box, to the relay on the side of the PCM housing...then followed the power from there back to the PDC. I simply re-wired to the starter. I'll try to take some pics in a bit if that will help.

Thanks Tony
the pictures would really help.
 

pedro

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Hi Guys,
I just got my roe supercharger unit.Im installing it this weekend,I see your having problems with voltage booster any feedback will be great.
 

FLX109

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Tony,
Is this the wire you moved to the starter?
4168boosterpump_2_-med.jpg
 
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Looks like it. I followed the large gauge wire FROM the MSD TO the relay....then the ONLY other large gauge wire went to the PDC post. You'll need fresh wire, of course. I removed the terminal from the relay, just in case I shorted out something...it would not be the relay! LOL! I a bit of overkill...after I routed the new wire down to the starter, I put a wire nut on the end by the relay....not wanting to tak ANY chances. Make the connection at the starter, clean up the routin of the wire, then install new terminal lug, plug into relay, tape it up, put it all back together. I had the car out today playing with the laptop and logging feature on the Roe software. Several ON/OFF sequences...each time I wathc the check engine light with trepidation....then it goes out! :)
 
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Ahhh, OK. As you are looking at the car/MSD box/PDC...your relay is on the left/front side of the PCM cover...right? Just making sure! :) You should be good-to-go!
 

FLX109

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Yes, relay is on the left side, wire with the fuse from MSD booster goes down to the relay and the thicker wire with pos tag comes up from relay to the post.

So I will put this wire to the starter? YES
 

FLX109

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I will run this to the starter, I hope this works because that light is a pain in the ..s
thankyou for your time Tony.

Bill
 
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