I loose DM connectivity when efan kicks on

[Flyin Ryan]

What could an efan do that would prevent me from being able to data log with datamaster on my truck?

basically once the efan kicks on and runs I am unable to data log or monitor with datamaster or tuner pro rt. Also my innovative wb starts giving me open cell error codes at this point.

I pulled the inline fuse to the efan controller and ran the truck.. I was able to data log and view my afr's from the wb fine so it must be the efan causing the problem so what all can I do about this or what exactly could the problem be?

The fan's + and - are wired to the SPAL PWM controller. From there I have the + lead from the controller to the back of the alternator. The two grounds are ran to the firewall, SPAL temp sensor from intake manifold ran to controller and ignition source for the controller is ran into a IGN port in the fuse box. Very simple install so I doubt it's something there but figured i'd add it just in case.

So what could the issue be? how can I go about correcting it?

 

[2kwik4u]

Re: I loose DM connectivity when efan kicks on

My initial guess is that the fans are pulling the voltage down over the entire system, and causing the goofyness you are seeing.

Try running the positive for the fans from the battery instead of the back of the alternator. You also might temp wire in a relay and positive wire for the ECM. I've seen that cure goofy voltage problems on others trucks as well. Also check all your grounds, and make sure they are good, clean, and tight.

 

[cloneman315]

Re: I loose DM connectivity when efan kicks on

do a search i posted a while back of the way to hook up a relay on the ecm,but you def shoul;d be pulling from the bat not the alt also

 

[WyoSyclone]

Re: I loose DM connectivity when efan kicks on

Yup, connect the SPAL to the battery.

 

[Flyin Ryan]

Re: I loose DM connectivity when efan kicks on

But the batterie's in the bed..... that'd be a long ass 12 gauge wire

Guess it's junction block time

 

[WyoSyclone]

Re: I loose DM connectivity when efan kicks on

I'd probably run 8 gauge... lots of current being pulled by those fans!

 

[Don W.]

Re: I loose DM connectivity when efan kicks on

X2 above comments.

Don't know your exact setup of course, but you say bat is in the bed. I assume you have bat cable from there to the starter on the + side, From there bring up 10 or 8 ga to the term block you mention. Also how is the bat grounded? You need to pay as much attention to the ground circuit as you did to the hot, using same cable size etc. as the hot. Preferably direct from bat to eng then from there use smaller grounds to tie everything together.

Put a volt meter on the circuit and run the fans as see what it does.

Just my :2cents:

 

[Flyin Ryan]

Re: I loose DM connectivity when efan kicks on

I'd probably run 8 gauge... lots of current being pulled by those fans!

Doh they are 8 gauge sorry had a brain fart

Don't know your exact setup of course, but you say bat is in the bed. I assume you have bat cable from there to the starter on the + side, From there bring up 10 or 8 ga to the term block you mention. Also how is the bat grounded? You need to pay as much attention to the ground circuit as you did to the hot, using same cable size etc. as the hot. Preferably direct from bat to eng then from there use smaller grounds to tie everything together.

Put a volt meter on the circuit and run the fans as see what it does.

Just my :2cents:

Basically I have an optima redtop in the bed, two gauge ran up the frame to a flaming river kill switch (using this as my terminal block for now, will eventually use an actual term block and mount this in the rear somewhere under the bumper) From the switch I have two gauge going to the starter and two gauge going to the alternator from that same switch. I have a four gauge ground from the pas side head to the firewall, I have a four gauge ground from the alternator housing to the frame, the negative from the battery is grounded to the frame.

 

[Tooky]

Re: I loose DM connectivity when efan kicks on

Sounds like a great reason to keep the stock clutch fan :lol: (Sorry I couldn't resist)

When me and a buddy installed SMC alky kits on our trucks, we both had DM connectivity issues at WOT when we used the IGN fuse port for the kit. Once we switched to a relay off the alternator (switched via the IGN fuse port) with a capacitor, things were a lot better. I would be suspicious of your fan controller on that IGN port...

Jeff Scott also posted a diagram picture a week or two ago showing how to run a relay to the ECM power, that is supposed to greatly improve ECM power issues (and possibly the DM connectivity).

 

[Flyin Ryan]

Re: I loose DM connectivity when efan kicks on

Sounds like a great reason to keep the stock clutch fan :lol: (Sorry I couldn't resist)

never... I hate the mech fan

When me and a buddy installed SMC alky kits on our trucks, we both had DM connectivity issues at WOT when we used the IGN fuse port for the kit. Once we switched to a relay off the alternator (switched via the IGN fuse port) with a capacitor, things were a lot better. I would be suspicious of your fan controller on that IGN port

Damn.. well I just swapped the power for the fan controller to the distribution block on the firewall to see if it helps at all for now but haven't had time to actually run it yet.

Well would you possibly have a diagram on how to wire a relay up in the sequence? and I have no experience with capacitors so you'd have to spoon feed me that one too

Why would you be suspicious of the controller plugged into the IGN port? that's where SPAL suggested plus I figured it would be better then tapping into an ignition wire along the way.. is this not right or what would you suggest other then hitting the IGN port in the fuse box for this controller?

Thanks

 

[Tooky]

Re: I loose DM connectivity when efan kicks on

Well would you possibly have a diagram on how to wire a relay up in the sequence? and I have no experience with capacitors so you'd have to spoon feed me that one too

C'mon dude, I found it in 10 seconds looking in this same forum, 15 posts down the page: http://www.syty.net/forums/showthread.php?t=58200

Why would you be suspicious of the controller plugged into the IGN port? that's where SPAL suggested plus I figured it would be better then tapping into an ignition wire along the way.. is this not right or what would you suggest other then hitting the IGN port in the fuse box for this controller?

I'm not that good with electrical wiring. I'm just saying when I had a high draw accessory (alky) plugged in there, I had problems with DM connectivity, so maybe the relay will help your situation too.

Come to think of it, I ended up doing a relay for my SMC (not my ECM), triggered off the IGN port (but not powered by it). The relay power comes from the alt. That one you'll have to search for.

 

[Flyin Ryan]

Re: I loose DM connectivity when efan kicks on

C'mon dude, I found it in 10 seconds looking in this same forum, 15 posts down the page: http://www.syty.net/forums/showthread.php?t=58200

all come on man I knew of that thread, I was referring to how you wired up a relay off of the alternator to feed your alky kit.. I want to try this with my efan and prob switch my alky kit over to it as well since it worked for you

Plus im not too electrical minded so I don't really want to cut any wiring to the ecm etc if I don't have to which is why I haven't tried that ecm power mod

I'm not that good with electrical wiring. I'm just saying when I had a high draw accessory (alky) plugged in there, I had problems with DM connectivity, so maybe the relay will help your situation too.

Yea crossing fingers hoping it will resolve my issue

Come to think of it, I ended up doing a relay for my SMC (not my ECM), triggered off the IGN port (but not powered by it). The relay power comes from the alt. That one you'll have to search for.

That's what I was asking to be spoon fed

 

[Tooky]

Re: I loose DM connectivity when efan kicks on

Here's a document I found saved on my HD from TurboBuick.com:

Originally Posted by Way2QWK
I have a problem with my readings from the Turbolink going crazy as soon as my PAC alky kit turns on. I am running the stock MAF. Is this due to the same issue above with the translater???



Your T-link deal is due to the computer cable picking up the interference. The way to fix that is similar, run a wire 20A fused 12 guage from back of alternator into car, and then mount the relay under the dash. Now use the IGN to switch the relay on.

Terminals on relay,
85 Ignition
86 ground
30 Fuse from Alt
87 PAC power Red wire.

Julio (Razor)

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182219

That's all the help I can give you on the topic of electric fans. My real advice is to ditch 'em altogether and run the stock clutch fan. :tup:

 

[Flyin Ryan]

Re: I loose DM connectivity when efan kicks on

Thank you Tooky, I will give this a try


Ryan

 

[Flyin Ryan]

Re: I loose DM connectivity when efan kicks on

Moved the efan controller to a different constant 12v power source and no more connectivity issues with dm, tuner rt or my wb so thanks allot fellas :tup: