First Time On-Vehicle System Setup!

For people running FreeEMS to discuss it and ask any questions about using and adjusting it.
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Fred
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First Time On-Vehicle System Setup!

Post by Fred »

When installing FreeEMS on your vehicle for the first time, it is important to follow the correct procedure!

This thread is a draft, please post in it (anyone, despite the forum description), offer feedback, and help develop it into something great.
  1. Static test - coils and injectors without power
  2. Dynamic test 1 - coils and injectors without power
  3. Dynamic test 2 - coils powered up, injectors without power
  4. Attempt to start - coils and injectors powered up
  5. Dynamic test 3 - coils and injectors powered up
Static test - coils and injectors without power
  1. Verify that fuel pump comes on and goes off after a few seconds (LED should do the same)
  2. Verify that voltage readings look correct (config for your resistor divider network correct)
  3. Verify that IAT and CHT readings look correct (config for your sensors correct)
  4. Verify that TPS movement is reported (you can calibrate this at this time)
  5. Verify that MAP (and AAP) read normally (config for your sensors correct)
  6. Verify that all injector outputs are floating or high (LEDs should be off)
  7. Verify that all ignition outputs are in a state that causes the coils to not draw current (this depends upon your setup)
  8. Verify that you have clean error free communications between the box and the PC by taking logs and analysing the packets in a binary stream with a parsing tool.
Dynamic test 1 - coils and injectors without power
  • Optional: Load the listener decoder and take an LA log
  • Crank the engine over and ensure that you get a clean RPM signal with no loss of sync (using the correct decoder)
  • Observe the ignition LEDs flashing and make sure the number of outputs is configured correctly (injector LEDs on Puma Spin1 will not flash without injectors connected)
  • Check that reported ignition timing, dwell and injector pulsewidths make sense for your setup (config for your engine hardware correct)
  • Take a normal basic datalog and ensure that analog inputs (and RPM) are free of noise
Dynamic test 2 - coils powered up, injectors without power
  • Ensure that your coils are not charging with the key on and the engine at rest
  • Verify and/or set the engine offset angle such that the reported timing in MTX matches what you see on a timing light (it is better to load a flat table for this check)
  • During this early alpha phase of testing, it will pay to verify the timing of all of your coils, especially if unusual configurations like V twin are being used
Attempt to start - coils and injectors powered up
  • Ensure that your injectors are not flowing with the key on and engine at rest
  • Ensure you are out of gear, and that everything is clear of rotating parts
  • Crank the engine over and enjoy as it splutters into life! (if not, remove fuel (first) or add fuel (second) until it does)
Dynamic test 3 - coils and injectors powered up

Begin logging before-hand such that post analysis can be done afterward.
  • Re-verify the ignition timing on the now running engine
  • If that can't be done, tune the VE map until it can free rev a bit and then recheck.
  • Only tune enough to allow the engine to warm up, tuning while not warmed up will result in a bad tune.
  • Fully warm the engine up and if a fresh build, check for leaks
  • Once warmed up, tune the idle and low load regions by free revving it at various throttle openings
  • Now go for a gentle drive and tune the cruise and light throttle regions more
  • Tune the rest of your VE map using normal tuning techniques
You're done! Enjoy owning a FreeEMS powered car!

Fred.
DIYEFI.org - where Open Source means Open Source, and Free means Freedom
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FreeEMS dev diary and its comments thread and my turbo truck!
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