OMGOMGOMG I finally figured it out!!!! WOOOOOOT
So after 2 months of chasing wires, replacing sensors, fixing wiring problems all over the car, and just generally beating my head against the wallI think I've finally gotten to the bottom of my car's problems!
I had a ton of problems with the install in general but the worst thing of all was that with stock parts my car was running horribly rich.. like 30% rich all the farging time. (clue #1) I just couldn't understand why the car refused to idle properly and would stumble incredibly hard in between shifts.
I thought at first that it was the MAF, which was supposed to be a Z32 one but was actually from an older VG30de (v6 maxima one 22680-16v00) (clue #2) which was making it run rich, but when I realised I didn't have the right MAF I bought the proper one from EBAY, part number 22680-02U00 (R32 GTST).
I then turned my attention to the o2 sensor circuit, because the o2 sensor was taking a good 15 minutes to start to register anything on my air/fuel guage.. and it turned out that the o2 heater was never hooked up.. I went to the parts place down the street and got a CA18ET O2 sensor as it has exactly the same part number as the RB one, fitted it up and ran the wires for the o2 sensor, and took it for a drive. Still the same
Well, that wasn't it, the car still exhibited pretty much the same symptoms as before. I was stumped but decided to pull out the computer and look at the codes it was putting out. I was getting code 12 (MAF circuit) and Code 42 (unknown.. R32 does not throw this code) (clue #3)
I found that the MAF sensor wires had been melted some time before I got the car (that would explain the burnt plastic on the turbo heat shield) , they had formed a big melted glob at the back of the motor and the sensor wires were shorting. I rewired the MAF and got good continuity to the ECU from the 2 sensor wires. I recovered the maf wires in a new wire wrap, taped everything up nice and took it for a drive. Same problems
I also realised at that time that the ECU bolted up using the stock holes and ecu brackets, which makes no sense as the R32 is RHD and the ecu is on the left side kick panel, and should therefore mount 'inversely' to the LHD ones. (clue #4) .. something was up here. I took the part number from the ECU ( 23710-40p01 ) and compared it to this chart which lists all JDM ECU numbers here:
http://www.grid.co.jp/DAT/unitdat.txt
MY FREAKING ECU IS THE WRONG ONE!!!! IT"S FROM A VG30DE!!
So the moral of this story is, if you're going to install a motor into your car, make sure you:
A ) Take the time to wire all the sensors up
B ) Take the time to assure you have the right parts first.... you could save yourself 6 months of pain and suffering...
Anywho, I'm pretty fucking happy right now!!! At least I know what's wrong with my car, and can fix it!! I'm Uber-Pumped!!
Quote
