Do you have an engine malfunction? We will help you identify the problem
Here is a list of faults which may or may not be linked to a malfunction of the ethanol unit. This list is not exhaustive but may be of great help to you.
Right after installation the engine does not start
| Polarity reversal | We must reverse the connection of the terminals in the male connectors of our harness |
| Faulty ECU | As a last resort, check that it is not the ECU fuse. |
| HS fuse | Check if the problem is not with a fuse |
| Faulty engine electrical harness or connector(s) | Check harness and connectors |
| Verifiable and/or adjustable with the 2.0 Wifi box | It is possible to check if the box receives injection times, if it is a problem of reversed polarities you will see it immediately because the cylinder not supplied will be missing on the display of the PC or smartphone application |
Just after installation the engine does not run on all its cylinders
| Spark plugs | When you switch to ethanol, you have to change them every 30,000km to avoid any combustion defects. Always take the original references. Iridium quality allows for greater longevity. |
| Ignition coils | If they have more than 60,000 km, the ignition coils are frequently the cause of misfires. In case of replacement, you must provide new spark plugs |
| Air intake | To identify an air intake it is practically essential to have a smoke generator otherwise the search becomes very complicated |
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| HS injector seals | Damaged injector seals cause a fuel leak and/or air intake |
| Fuel leak | In principle easily identifiable by smell or discharge |
| Case: too rich a setting can cause this type of anomaly | In principle all our boxes are sent pre-adjusted for your engine, so if the mixture is too rich there is a good chance that it comes from poor ignition (plugs or coils) If you find that the setting is too rich then modify the setting (potentiometer) using the OBD for Starflex boxes, or by modifying the additional % on the 2.0 Wifi box. |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
| Reverse polarity on 1 male connector of our harness | Check which of the male connectors of our harness has the lug with the red wire inserted on the reversed side compared to the other connectors, and if it is possible depending on the type of connector you need to take out the two lugs to put them back on the right side. |
| Bad connection to an injector | It is possible that a connector is not properly engaged on the injector |
| Faulty ECU | Improper handling when checking the polarities can damage the ECU |
| Faulty engine electrical harness or connector(s) | Check harness and connectors |
| Verifiable and/or adjustable with the 2.0 Wifi box | It is possible to check if the box receives injection times on all cylinders |
Just after installation my engine smokes white to the point where I can no longer see behind the vehicle
| Short circuit on harness causing continuous opening of the injector | This is generally the case for this type of problem, either the harness is in contact with a very strong heat source (EGR valve), or it has been pinched and damaged when reassembling the intake manifold for example, which causes the continuous opening of the injector. The ECU may be damaged as a result of this inattention |
| Faulty ECU | Improper handling when checking the polarities can damage the ECU. |
| Faulty engine electrical harness or connector(s) | Check harness and connectors |
| Verifiable and/or adjustable with the 2.0 Wifi box | The ECU cuts its injection on the cylinder concerned, on the PC screen or on the smartphone application it can be seen immediately and in addition, the color of the cylinder concerned corresponds to the color of the wires of the harness of the box, we can thus easily identify the cylinder which has a problem |
From one day to the next the engine does not start
| Spark plugs | When you switch to ethanol, you have to change them every 30,000km to avoid any combustion defects. Always take the original references. Iridium quality allows for greater longevity. |
| Ignition coils | If they have more than 60,000 km, the ignition coils are frequently the cause of misfires. In case of replacement, you must provide new spark plugs |
| Air intake | To identify an air intake it is practically essential to have a smoke generator otherwise the search becomes very complicated |
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| catalyst | A clogged or broken catalyst inside can obstruct the passage of exhaust gases. From 2001 all ECUs detect this problem = Engine fault light illuminated |
| Bad pressure in the injection rail | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. |
| Faulty fuel pump | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. If the pump no longer works, remember to check if it is the fuse or the relay. |
| Clogged exhaust | Not systematically but frequently audible |
| HS or defective battery | Replace the battery if it no longer holds a charge, remember to check that the alternator is working properly. |
| Key transponder or key HS or faulty | If one of the two is defective, the starter turns but the engine does not start. |
| Out of order or defective TDC sensor | In principle this fault is detected by the ECU, the fault code is present in the OBD |
| Oil leak on TDC sensor | Disassemble the sensor to check that it is dry, if there is any oil present you will have to uncouple the gearbox to change the crankshaft oil seal which is located behind the flywheel |
| Inertia shock switch triggered | Not all vehicles are equipped with this contactor, but you can search for very long hours if you don't think about it. |
| ECU immobilization | To be checked with a diagnostic case which is equipped with access to this information |
| Faulty coolant temperature (ECT) sensor | The engine temperature is major information for the ECU which can (depending on the brand) prevent starting if it does not have this information |
| Temperature key for HS or defective Starflex boxes | Check the engine temperature using the OBD. If in doubt, reconnect the original connection without dismantling everything to check. |
| Fuel leak | In principle easily identifiable by smell or discharge |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
| Faulty ECU | As a last resort, check that it is not the ECU fuse. |
| HS fuse | Check if the problem is not with a fuse |
| Faulty engine electrical harness or connector(s) | Check harness and connectors |
| Poor fuel quality | Hypothesis not to be ruled out |
| Verifiable and/or adjustable with the 2.0 Wifi box | It is possible to check if the box receives injection times |
The engine starts poorly when cold
| Spark plugs | When you switch to ethanol, you have to change them every 30,000km to avoid any combustion defects. Always take the original references. Iridium quality allows for greater longevity. |
| Ignition coils | If they have more than 60,000 km, the ignition coils are frequently the cause of misfires. In case of replacement, you must provide new spark plugs |
| Air intake | To identify an air intake it is practically essential to have a smoke generator otherwise the search becomes very complicated |
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| Bad pressure in the injection rail | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. |
| Faulty fuel pump | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. If the pump no longer works, remember to check if it is the fuse or the relay. |
| Defective flow meter (MAF) or air pressure sensor (MAP) | Bad air flow or pressure information can cause engine malfunctions |
| HS or defective battery | Replace the battery if it no longer holds a charge, remember to check that the alternator is working properly. |
| HS injector seals | Damaged injector seals cause a fuel leak and/or air intake |
| Dirty or defective throttle body | Check if the throttle body has any play. If it is clogged, the engine may stall at idle. |
| Air temperature sensor (IAT) HS or defective | A strong deviation of this probe can disrupt the correct starting of the engine. |
| Out of order or defective TDC sensor | In principle this fault is detected by the ECU, the fault code is present in the OBD |
| Oil leak on TDC sensor | Disassemble the sensor to check that it is dry, if there is any oil present you will have to uncouple the gearbox to change the crankshaft oil seal which is located behind the flywheel |
| Faulty coolant temperature (ECT) sensor | Incorrect temperature information can cause this type of problem. |
| Fuel leak | In principle easily identifiable by smell or discharge |
| Faulty fuel pressure regulator | In principle only certain engines over 15 years old are equipped with them. |
| Case: too poor an adjustment can cause this type of anomaly | The Starflex box has a very effective cold start program depending on the temperature but this cannot be changed. Be careful if this problem occurs after several months of good operation with E85, the problem rarely comes from the housing but rather from wearing parts like the other possibilities mentioned in this chapter |
| Valve seats that are no longer tight | Cause non-linear idling, misfires, exhaust fumes, overconsumption, probable that the engine is at the end of its life, high mileage, old or neglected engine or poor design |
| If this problem occurs after 3 or 4 fill-ups with E85, the unit does not inject sufficiently at cold start. | If this problem occurs after 3 or 4 fill-ups with E85, it may come from the unit not injecting sufficiently when cold. The Starflex box has a very effective cold start program depending on the temperature but this cannot be modified, you have 2 solutions: – Putting 7L of SP95 when filling up can correct this problem. – Install our temperature key (if your probe has 2 wires otherwise it is not suitable) For 2.0 Wifi a simple adjustment is enough, on the PC application you just have to increase the % on the temperature concerned in the cold start part. Remember to validate with the password provided otherwise this modification will not be made. If this problem occurs a long time after switching to E85, there is a good chance that it comes from a wearing part coming from one of the other hypotheses mentioned in this chapter. |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
| Poor fuel quality | Hypothesis not to be ruled out |
| External fuel filter to change | If it is practically clogged it can cause a drop in fuel pressure, thus limiting the pressure necessary for proper operation. |
When cold the engine starts and stalls
| Spark plugs | When you switch to ethanol, you have to change them every 30,000km to avoid any combustion defects. Always take the original references. Iridium quality allows for greater longevity. |
| Ignition coils | If they have more than 60,000 km, the ignition coils are frequently the cause of misfires. In case of replacement, you must provide new spark plugs |
| Air intake | To identify an air intake it is practically essential to have a smoke generator otherwise the search becomes very complicated |
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| Bad pressure in the injection rail | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. |
| Faulty fuel pump | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. If the pump no longer works, remember to check if it is the fuse or the relay. |
| Defective flow meter (MAF) or air pressure sensor (MAP) | Bad air flow or pressure information can cause engine malfunctions |
| HS or defective battery | Replace the battery if it no longer holds a charge, remember to check that the alternator is working properly. |
| HS injector seals | Damaged injector seals cause a fuel leak and/or air intake |
| Dirty or defective throttle body | Check whether the throttle body has any play. If it is defective, in principle the ECU quickly goes into degraded mode. If it is clogged the engine may stall at idle. |
| Out of order or defective TDC sensor | In principle this fault is detected by the ECU, the fault code is present in the OBD |
| Oil leak on TDC sensor | Disassemble the sensor to check that it is dry, if there is any oil present you will have to uncouple the gearbox to change the crankshaft oil seal which is located behind the flywheel |
| Faulty coolant temperature (ECT) sensor | Incorrect temperature information can cause this type of problem. |
| Fuel leak | In principle easily identifiable by smell or discharge |
| Faulty fuel pressure regulator | In principle only certain engines over 15 years old are equipped with them. |
| Case: too poor an adjustment can cause this type of anomaly | If this problem does not occur with lead-free, it comes from the box which does not inject sufficiently. – With the Starflex case this cannot be modified. Installing our key can correct this problem or you must add 7L of lead-free before filling up with E85. – With the 2.0 Wifi box, simply increase the % on cold start. |
| Valve seats that are no longer tight | Cause non-linear idling, misfires, exhaust fumes, overconsumption, probable that the engine is at the end of its life, high mileage, old or neglected engine or poor design |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
| Poor fuel quality | Hypothesis not to be ruled out |
| External fuel filter to change | If it is practically clogged it can cause a drop in fuel pressure, thus limiting the pressure necessary for proper operation. |
| Verifiable and/or adjustable with the 2.0 Wifi box | Modify the setting in time and quantity over the relevant temperature range |
The engine misfires when cold
| Spark plugs | When you switch to ethanol, you have to change them every 30,000km to avoid any combustion defects. Always take the original references. Iridium quality allows for greater longevity. |
| Ignition coils | If they have more than 60,000 km, the ignition coils are frequently the cause of misfires. In case of replacement, you must provide new spark plugs |
| Air intake | To identify an air intake it is practically essential to have a smoke generator otherwise the search becomes very complicated |
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| Bad pressure in the injection rail | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. |
| Faulty fuel pump | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. If the pump no longer works, remember to check if it is the fuse or the relay. |
| Check compressions | A compression problem can cause this problem. The difference between the highest and lowest must not exceed 20%. |
| HS injector seals | Damaged injector seals cause a fuel leak and/or air intake |
| Lambda sensor before catalyst | A lambda sensor that is too slow or defective can cause this problem. – If it is a zirconium lambda probe, check when the engine is idling while the engine is warm if generally the probe does not take more than 2 seconds to undulate, otherwise it is too slow and may be defective. It is also necessary to check with an exhaust gas analyzer whether the pollution is correct. – If it is a proportional lambda probe (wide band), check with an exhaust gas analyzer if the pollution is correct. |
| Out of order or defective TDC sensor | In principle this fault is detected by the ECU, the fault code is present in the OBD |
| Valve seats that are no longer tight | Cause non-linear idling, misfires, exhaust fumes, overconsumption, probable that the engine is at the end of its life, high mileage, old or neglected engine or poor design |
| Case: too poor an adjustment can cause this type of anomaly | If this problem does not occur with lead-free, it comes from the box which does not inject sufficiently. – With the Starflex case this cannot be modified. Installing our key can correct this problem or you must add 7L of lead-free before filling up with E85. – With the 2.0 Wifi box, simply increase the % on cold start. |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
| Fast idle pump out of order or defective | Some engines are equipped with an accelerated idle pump, check if it is working or if the hose is not damaged |
| Faulty engine electrical harness or connector(s) | Check harness and connectors |
| Poor fuel quality | Hypothesis not to be ruled out |
| External fuel filter to change | If it is practically clogged it can cause a drop in fuel pressure, thus limiting the pressure necessary for proper operation. |
| Verifiable and/or adjustable with the 2.0 Wifi box | Possibility of checking the operation sent to the injectors and often if it is an ignition problem we perceive a great irregularity of the cursors on all the cylinders |
The engine runs poorly but I don't have any engine faults.
| Lambda sensor before catalyst | A lambda sensor that is too slow or defective can cause this problem. – If it is a zirconium lambda probe, check when the engine is idling while the engine is warm if generally the probe does not take more than 2 seconds to undulate, otherwise it is too slow and may be defective. It is also necessary to check with an exhaust gas analyzer whether the pollution is correct. – If it is a proportional lambda probe (wide band), check with an exhaust gas analyzer if the pollution is correct. |
| Spark plugs | When you switch to ethanol, you have to change them every 30,000km to avoid any combustion defects. Always take the original references. Iridium quality allows for greater longevity. |
| Ignition coils | If they have more than 60,000 km, the ignition coils are frequently the cause of misfires. In case of replacement, you must provide new spark plugs |
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| catalyst | A clogged or broken catalyst inside can obstruct the passage of exhaust gases. From 2001 all ECUs detect this problem = Engine fault light illuminated |
| Too much oil in the engine | Oil is getting into the cylinders |
| Bad pressure in the injection rail | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. |
| Faulty fuel pump | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. If the pump no longer works, remember to check if it is the fuse or the relay. |
| Check compressions | A compression problem can cause this problem. The difference between the highest and lowest must not exceed 20%. |
| Clogged exhaust | Not systematically but frequently audible |
| Defective flow meter (MAF) or air pressure sensor (MAP) | Bad air flow or pressure information can cause engine malfunctions |
| HS injector seals | Damaged injector seals cause a fuel leak and/or air intake |
| Dirty or defective throttle body | Especially at idle, a dirty throttle body can cause the engine to stall. |
| Breather hose or defective breather | Oil manages to enter the cylinders through the intake or if it is the hose this can cause an air intake |
| HS or defective cylinder head gasket | Do a CO2 test |
| Temperature key for HS or defective Starflex boxes | Check the engine temperature using the OBD. If in doubt, reconnect the original connection without dismantling everything to check. |
| Fuel leak | In principle easily identifiable by smell or discharge |
| Faulty fuel pressure regulator | In principle only certain engines over 15 years old are equipped with them. |
| Valve seats that are no longer tight | Cause non-linear idling, misfires, exhaust fumes, overconsumption, probable that the engine is at the end of its life, high mileage, old or neglected engine or poor design |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
| Fast idle pump out of order or defective | Some engines are equipped with an accelerated idle pump, check if it is working or if the hose is not damaged |
| Faulty ECU | Very rare but possible |
| Poor fuel quality | Hypothesis not to be ruled out |
| External fuel filter to change | If it is practically clogged it can cause a drop in fuel pressure which the ECU will have to compensate for by increasing the injection corrections |
| Verifiable and/or adjustable with the 2.0 Wifi box | Possibility of checking the operation sent to the injectors, if one or more cursors on the PC or smartphone application move inconsistently, the color of the cursor which corresponds to the color of our beam will help you easily identify the cylinder concerned. It is necessary to reverse the coils and spark plugs with another cylinder to then check if the problem moves to another cylinder in order to define whether it is an ignition or injection problem. If the cylinder remains the same then we must reverse the connection of our harness with the neighboring cylinder to check if the problem is moving in order to define if the problem comes from the box /. harness or if it's the injector. |
The engine starts poorly when hot
| Spark plugs | When you switch to ethanol, you have to change them every 30,000km to avoid any combustion defects. Always take the original references. Iridium quality allows for greater longevity. |
| Ignition coils | If they have more than 60,000 km, the ignition coils are frequently the cause of misfires. In case of replacement, you must provide new spark plugs |
| Air intake | To identify an air intake it is practically essential to have a smoke generator otherwise the search becomes very complicated |
| Injector(s) | The problem often comes from the injectors or spark plugs. Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| Bad pressure in the injection rail | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. |
| Faulty fuel pump | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. If the pump no longer works, remember to check if it is the fuse or the relay. |
| Clogged exhaust | Not systematically but frequently audible |
| Air temperature sensor (IAT) HS or defective | A strong deviation of this probe can disrupt the correct starting of the engine. |
| Faulty coolant temperature (ECT) sensor | Incorrect temperature information can cause this type of problem. |
| Temperature key for HS or defective Starflex boxes | Check the engine temperature using the OBD. If in doubt, reconnect the original connection without dismantling everything to check. |
| Seized or defective EGR valve | A damaged EGR valve will continuously allow exhaust gases to pass through, which will generate an air intake and therefore disrupt the operation of the ECU. |
| Poor fuel quality | Hypothesis not to be ruled out |
| External fuel filter to change | If it is practically clogged it can cause a drop in fuel pressure, thus limiting the pressure necessary for proper operation. |
| Ethanol sensor subjected to too much heat | Be careful that the ethanol sensor is not subjected to too high a temperature caused by the engine or the exhausts (V6 and V8 in summer) |
| Ethanol box subjected to too much heat | Place the ethanol unit in a location that protects it from the high heat of the engine and exhausts (V6 and V8 in summer) |
The engine misfires when hot
| Lambda sensor before catalyst | A lambda sensor that is too slow or defective can cause this problem. – If it is a zirconium lambda probe, check when the engine is idling while the engine is warm if generally the probe does not take more than 2 seconds to undulate, otherwise it is too slow and may be defective. It is also necessary to check with an exhaust gas analyzer whether the pollution is correct. – If it is a proportional lambda probe (wide band), check with an exhaust gas analyzer if the pollution is correct. |
| Spark plugs | When you switch to ethanol, you have to change them every 30,000km to avoid any combustion defects. Always take the original references. Iridium quality allows for greater longevity. |
| Ignition coils | If they have more than 60,000 km, the ignition coils are frequently the cause of misfires. In case of replacement, you must provide new spark plugs |
| Air intake | To identify an air intake it is practically essential to have a smoke generator otherwise the search becomes very complicated |
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| Bad pressure in the injection rail | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. |
| Faulty fuel pump | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. If the pump no longer works, remember to check if it is the fuse or the relay. |
| Check compressions | A compression problem can cause this problem. The difference between the highest and lowest must not exceed 20%. |
| HS injector seals | Damaged injector seals cause a fuel leak and/or air intake |
| Out of order or defective TDC sensor | In principle this fault is detected by the ECU, the fault code is present in the OBD |
| Temperature key for HS or defective Starflex boxes | Check the engine temperature using the OBD. If in doubt, reconnect the original connection without dismantling everything to check. |
| Fuel leak | In principle easily identifiable by smell or discharge |
| Faulty fuel pressure regulator | In principle only certain engines over 15 years old are equipped with them. |
| Valve seats that are no longer tight | Cause non-linear idling, misfires, exhaust fumes, overconsumption, probable that the engine is at the end of its life, high mileage, old or neglected engine or poor design |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
| Faulty engine electrical harness or connector(s) | Check harness and connectors |
| Poor fuel quality | Hypothesis not to be ruled out |
| External fuel filter to change | If it is practically clogged it can cause a drop in fuel pressure, thus limiting the pressure necessary for proper operation. |
| Verifiable and/or adjustable with the 2.0 Wifi box | Possibility of checking the operation sent to the injectors and often if it is an ignition problem we perceive a great irregularity of the cursors on all the cylinders |
The OBD announces a combustion fault on 1 cylinder
| Spark plugs | When you switch to ethanol, you have to change them every 30,000km to avoid any combustion defects. Always take the original references. Iridium quality allows for greater longevity. |
| Ignition coils | If they have more than 60,000 km, the ignition coils are frequently the cause of misfires. In case of replacement, you must provide new spark plugs |
| Air intake | To identify an air intake it is practically essential to have a smoke generator otherwise the search becomes very complicated |
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| Check compressions | A compression problem can cause this problem. The difference between the highest and lowest must not exceed 20%. |
| HS injector seals | Damaged injector seals cause a fuel leak and/or air intake |
| HS or defective cylinder head gasket | Check using a CO2 tester |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
| Valve seats that are no longer tight | Cause non-linear idling, misfires, exhaust fumes, overconsumption, probable that the engine is at the end of its life, high mileage, old or neglected engine or poor design |
| Reverse polarity on 1 male connector of our harness | |
| Bad connection to an injector | It is possible that a connector is not properly engaged on the injector |
| Short circuit on harness causing continuous opening of the injector | This can occur if the harness comes into contact with a source of high heat such as the exhaust, EGR valve or air conditioning pipe |
| Faulty ECU | Improper handling when checking the polarities can damage the ECU |
| Faulty engine electrical harness or connector(s) | Check harness and connectors |
| Verifiable and/or adjustable with the 2.0 Wifi box | The ECU cuts its injection on the cylinder concerned, on the PC screen or on the smartphone application it can be seen immediately and in addition, the color of the cylinder concerned corresponds to the color of the wires of the harness of the box, we can thus easily identify the cylinder which has a problem |
The OBD announces a combustion fault on several cylinders
| Lambda sensor before catalyst | A lambda sensor that is too slow or defective can cause this problem. – If it is a zirconium lambda probe, check when the engine is idling while the engine is warm if generally the probe does not take more than 2 seconds to undulate, otherwise it is too slow and may be defective. It is also necessary to check with an exhaust gas analyzer whether the pollution is correct. – If it is a proportional lambda probe (wide band), check with an exhaust gas analyzer if the pollution is correct. |
| Spark plugs | When you switch to ethanol, you have to change them every 30,000km to avoid any combustion defects. Always take the original references. Iridium quality allows for greater longevity. |
| Ignition coils | If they have more than 60,000 km, the ignition coils are frequently the cause of misfires. In case of replacement, you must provide new spark plugs |
| Air intake | To identify an air intake it is practically essential to have a smoke generator otherwise the search becomes very complicated |
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| catalyst | A clogged or broken catalyst inside can obstruct the passage of exhaust gases. From 2001 all ECUs detect this problem = Engine fault light illuminated |
| Too much oil in the engine | Oil is getting into the cylinders |
| Bad pressure in the injection rail | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. |
| Faulty fuel pump | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. If the pump no longer works, remember to check if it is the fuse or the relay. |
| Check compressions | A compression problem can cause this problem. The difference between the highest and lowest must not exceed 20%. |
| Clogged exhaust | Not systematically but frequently audible |
| Defective flow meter (MAF) or air pressure sensor (MAP) | Bad air flow or pressure information can cause engine malfunctions |
| HS injector seals | Damaged injector seals cause a fuel leak and/or air intake |
| Dirty or defective throttle body | Check whether the throttle body has any play. If it is defective, in principle the ECU quickly goes into degraded mode. If it is clogged the engine may stall at idle. |
| Valve stem seals that are no longer tight | Cause significant oil consumption, can disrupt injection corrections randomly at idle and also after long deceleration |
| Fuel leak | In principle easily identifiable by smell or discharge |
| Faulty fuel pressure regulator | In principle only certain engines over 15 years old are equipped with them. |
| Valve seats that are no longer tight | Cause non-linear idling, misfires, exhaust fumes, overconsumption, probable that the engine is at the end of its life, high mileage, old or neglected engine or poor design |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
| Faulty ECU | Improper handling when checking the polarities can damage the ECU |
| Faulty engine electrical harness or connector(s) | Check harness and connectors |
| Poor fuel quality | Hypothesis not to be ruled out |
| External fuel filter to change | If it is practically clogged it can cause a drop in fuel pressure, thus limiting the pressure necessary for proper operation. |
| Verifiable and/or adjustable with the 2.0 Wifi box | Possibility of checking the operation sent to the injectors and often if it is an ignition problem we perceive a great irregularity of the cursors on all the cylinders |
Unstable slow motion
| Lambda sensor before catalyst | A lambda sensor that is too slow or defective can cause this problem. – If it is a zirconium lambda probe, check when the engine is idling while the engine is warm if generally the probe does not take more than 2 seconds to undulate, otherwise it is too slow and may be defective. It is also necessary to check with an exhaust gas analyzer whether the pollution is correct. – If it is a proportional lambda probe (wide band), check with an exhaust gas analyzer if the pollution is correct. |
| Spark plugs | When you switch to ethanol, you have to change them every 30,000km to avoid any combustion defects. Always take the original references. Iridium quality allows for greater longevity. |
| Ignition coils | If they have more than 60,000 km, the ignition coils are frequently the cause of misfires. In case of replacement, you must provide new spark plugs |
| Air intake | To identify an air intake it is practically essential to have a smoke generator otherwise the search becomes very complicated |
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| Bad pressure in the injection rail | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. |
| Faulty fuel pump | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. If the pump no longer works, remember to check if it is the fuse or the relay. |
| Defective flow meter (MAF) or air pressure sensor (MAP) | Bad air flow or pressure information can cause engine malfunctions |
| HS injector seals | Damaged injector seals cause a fuel leak and/or air intake |
| Dirty or defective throttle body | Check whether the throttle body has any play. If it is defective, in principle the ECU quickly goes into degraded mode. If it is clogged the engine may stall at idle. |
| Valve stem seals that are no longer tight | Cause significant oil consumption, can disrupt injection corrections randomly at idle and also after long deceleration |
| Faulty fuel pressure regulator | In principle only certain engines over 15 years old are equipped with them. |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
| Valve seats that are no longer tight | Cause non-linear idling, misfires, exhaust fumes, overconsumption, probable that the engine is at the end of its life, high mileage, old or neglected engine or poor design |
| Defective electronic accelerator | Very rare but a faulty electronic accelerator pedal can cause this problem |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
| Bad connection to an injector | It is possible that a connector is not properly engaged on the injector |
| Faulty engine electrical harness or connector(s) | Check harness and connectors |
| Poor fuel quality | Hypothesis not to be ruled out |
| External fuel filter to change | If it is practically clogged it can cause a drop in fuel pressure, thus limiting the pressure necessary for proper operation. |
| Verifiable and/or adjustable with the 2.0 Wifi box | Possibility of checking the operation sent to the injectors and often if it is an ignition problem we perceive a great irregularity of the cursors on all the cylinders |
The engine lacks power
| Lambda sensor before catalyst | A lambda sensor that is too slow or defective can cause this problem. – If it is a zirconium lambda probe, check when the engine is idling while the engine is warm if generally the probe does not take more than 2 seconds to undulate, otherwise it is too slow and may be defective. It is also necessary to check with an exhaust gas analyzer whether the pollution is correct. – If it is a proportional lambda probe (wide band), check with an exhaust gas analyzer if the pollution is correct. |
| Spark plugs | When you switch to ethanol, you have to change them every 30,000km to avoid any combustion defects. Always take the original references. Iridium quality allows for greater longevity. |
| Ignition coils | If they have more than 60,000 km, the ignition coils are frequently the cause of misfires. In case of replacement, you must provide new spark plugs |
| Air intake | To identify an air intake it is practically essential to have a smoke generator otherwise the search becomes very complicated |
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| catalyst | A clogged or broken catalyst inside can obstruct the passage of exhaust gases. From 2001 all ECUs detect this problem = Engine fault light illuminated |
| Bad pressure in the injection rail | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. |
| Faulty fuel pump | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. If the pump no longer works, remember to check if it is the fuse or the relay. |
| Check compressions | A compression problem can cause this problem. The difference between the highest and lowest must not exceed 20%. |
| Clogged exhaust | Not systematically but frequently audible |
| Defective flow meter (MAF) or air pressure sensor (MAP) | Bad air flow or pressure information can cause engine malfunctions |
| HS injector seals | Damaged injector seals cause a fuel leak and/or air intake |
| Breather hose or defective breather | Oil manages to enter the cylinders through the intake or if it is the hose this can cause an air intake |
| Fuel leak | In principle easily identifiable by smell or discharge |
| Faulty fuel pressure regulator | In principle only certain engines over 15 years old are equipped with them. |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
| Defective electronic accelerator | A faulty electronic accelerator pedal can cause this problem |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
| Seized or defective EGR valve | A damaged EGR valve will continuously allow exhaust gases to pass through, which will generate an air intake and therefore disrupt the operation of the ECU. |
I have a gap in acceleration at the bottom of the revs
| Spark plugs | When you switch to ethanol, you have to change them every 30,000km to avoid any combustion defects. Always take the original references. Iridium quality allows for greater longevity. |
| Ignition coils | If they have more than 60,000 km, the ignition coils are frequently the cause of misfires. In case of replacement, you must provide new spark plugs |
| Air intake | To identify an air intake it is practically essential to have a smoke generator otherwise the search becomes very complicated |
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| Bad pressure in the injection rail | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. |
| Faulty fuel pump | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. If the pump no longer works, remember to check if it is the fuse or the relay. |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
| Lambda sensor before catalyst | A lambda sensor that is too slow or defective can cause this problem. – If it is a zirconium lambda probe, check when the engine is idling while the engine is warm if generally the probe does not take more than 2 seconds to undulate, otherwise it is too slow and may be defective. It is also necessary to check with an exhaust gas analyzer whether the pollution is correct. – If it is a proportional lambda probe (wide band), check with an exhaust gas analyzer if the pollution is correct. |
| Defective flow meter (MAF) or air pressure sensor (MAP) | Bad air flow or pressure information can cause engine malfunctions |
| Fuel leak | In principle easily identifiable by smell or discharge |
| Faulty fuel pressure regulator | In principle only certain engines over 15 years old are equipped with them. |
| Faulty engine electrical harness or connector(s) | Check harness and connectors |
| Poor fuel quality | Hypothesis not to be ruled out |
| External fuel filter to change | If it is practically clogged it can cause a drop in fuel pressure, thus limiting the pressure necessary for proper operation. |
| Verifiable and/or adjustable with the 2.0 Wifi box | Possibility of checking the operation sent to the injectors, if one or more cursors on the PC or smartphone application move inconsistently, the color of the cursor which corresponds to the color of our beam will help you easily identify the cylinder concerned. It is necessary to reverse the coils and spark plugs with another cylinder to then check if the problem moves to another cylinder in order to define whether it is an ignition or injection problem. If the cylinder remains the same then we must reverse the connection of our harness with the neighboring cylinder to check if the problem is moving in order to define if the problem comes from the box /. harness or if it's the injector. |
I have jerks (misses) at the top of the towers
| Spark plugs | When you switch to ethanol, you have to change them every 30,000km to avoid any combustion defects. Always take the original references. Iridium quality allows for greater longevity. |
| Ignition coils | If they have more than 60,000 km, the ignition coils are frequently the cause of misfires. In case of replacement, you must provide new spark plugs |
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| Lambda sensor before catalyst | A lambda sensor that is too slow or defective can cause this problem. – If it is a zirconium lambda probe, check when the engine is idling while the engine is warm if generally the probe does not take more than 2 seconds to undulate, otherwise it is too slow and may be defective. It is also necessary to check with an exhaust gas analyzer whether the pollution is correct. – If it is a proportional lambda probe (wide band), check with an exhaust gas analyzer if the pollution is correct. |
| Bad pressure in the injection rail | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. |
| Faulty fuel pump | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. If the pump no longer works, remember to check if it is the fuse or the relay. |
| Defective flow meter (MAF) or air pressure sensor (MAP) | Bad air flow or pressure information can cause engine malfunctions |
| Out of order or defective TDC sensor | In principle this fault is detected by the ECU, the fault code is present in the OBD |
| Fuel leak | In principle easily identifiable by smell or discharge |
| Faulty fuel pressure regulator | In principle only certain engines over 15 years old are equipped with them. |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
| Faulty engine electrical harness or connector(s) | Check harness and connectors |
| Poor fuel quality | Hypothesis not to be ruled out |
| External fuel filter to change | If it is practically clogged it can cause a drop in fuel pressure, thus limiting the pressure necessary for proper operation. |
| Verifiable and/or adjustable with the 2.0 Wifi box | Possibility of checking the operation sent to the injectors, if one or more cursors on the PC or smartphone application move inconsistently, the color of the cursor which corresponds to the color of our beam will help you easily identify the cylinder concerned. It is necessary to reverse the coils and spark plugs with another cylinder to then check if the problem moves to another cylinder in order to define whether it is an ignition or injection problem. If the cylinder remains the same then we must reverse the connection of our harness with the neighboring cylinder to check if the problem is moving in order to define if the problem comes from the box /. harness or if it's the injector. |
I have a “faulty anti-pollution system” message displayed on the dashboard
| The ECU has detected an engine fault | If this message is displayed on the dashboard it means that the ECU has detected an engine fault. It is not because this message is displayed that it necessarily comes from the ethanol unit, it could be the cause but like hundreds of others possible, you must check the fault code with the OBD to be able to target the environment of the problem. The ECU has hundreds of fault codes available to announce the slightest anomaly observed (probe, sensor, wearing parts, others, etc.). Electronic diagnosis using the OBD scanner is essential. . So every time you have an engine fault you will also have this message |
The first 10 minutes my engine smokes a little white
| This is normal, it's condensation present in the exhaust |
I have water coming out of the exhaust
| This is normal, it's condensation present in the exhaust |
The OBD gives me a code P0420 ineffective catalyst
| Catalyst clogged due to lack of high temperatures | If the vehicle only makes short trips or only in town, the catalyst is too rarely subjected to high temperatures continuously which allows it to burn the carbon. Driving for 20 minutes on the motorway at 5000 rpm can make this defect disappear. |
| Lambda probe after catalyst | We always start with this probe because the catalyst is expensive |
| Spark plugs | When you switch to ethanol, you have to change them every 30,000km to avoid any combustion defects. Always take the original references. Iridium quality allows for greater longevity. |
| Ignition coils | If they have more than 60,000 km, the ignition coils are frequently the cause of misfires. In case of replacement, you must provide new spark plugs |
| Air intake | To identify an air intake it is practically essential to have a smoke generator otherwise the search becomes very complicated |
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| catalyst | A clogged or broken catalyst inside can obstruct the passage of exhaust gases. From 2001 all ECUs detect this problem = Engine fault light illuminated |
| Lambda sensor before catalyst | A lambda sensor that is too slow or defective can cause this problem. – If it is a zirconium lambda probe, check when the engine is idling while the engine is warm if generally the probe does not take more than 2 seconds to undulate, otherwise it is too slow and may be defective. It is also necessary to check with an exhaust gas analyzer whether the pollution is correct. – If it is a proportional lambda probe (wide band), check with an exhaust gas analyzer if the pollution is correct. |
| Too much oil in the engine | Oil can go up to the air intake and then clog the exhaust |
| Check compressions | Compressions that are too low lead to poor combustion and unburnt fuels, as well as high pressure in the lower engine causing oil to rise which can clog the catalyst. |
| Clogged exhaust | Not systematically but frequently audible |
| Breather hose or defective breather | Oil enters the cylinders, clogging the catalyst |
| Valve stem seals that are no longer tight | Oil enters the cylinders, clogging the catalyst |
The OBD tells me the mixture is too lean.
| Seized or defective EGR valve | A damaged EGR valve will continuously allow exhaust gases to pass through, which will generate an air intake and therefore disrupt the operation of the ECU. |
| Defective hose or canister | May cause air intake |
| Lambda sensor before catalyst | A lambda sensor that is too slow or defective can cause this problem. – If it is a zirconium lambda probe, check when the engine is idling while the engine is warm if generally the probe does not take more than 2 seconds to undulate, otherwise it is too slow and may be defective. It is also necessary to check with an exhaust gas analyzer whether the pollution is correct. – If it is a proportional lambda probe (wide band), check with an exhaust gas analyzer if the pollution is correct. |
| Faulty ECU | Very rare but possible |
| Poor fuel quality | Hypothesis not to be ruled out |
| External fuel filter to change | If it is practically clogged it can cause a drop in fuel pressure which the ECU will have to compensate for by increasing the injection corrections |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
| Bad adjustment of the box | If this problem occurs within 700 km after switching to 100% E85, the adjustment of the box may require a little more fine tuning. |
The OBD tells me the mixture is too rich.
| Lambda sensor before catalyst | A lambda sensor that is too slow or defective can cause this problem. – If it is a zirconium lambda probe, check when the engine is idling while the engine is warm if generally the probe does not take more than 2 seconds to undulate, otherwise it is too slow and may be defective. It is also necessary to check with an exhaust gas analyzer whether the pollution is correct. – If it is a proportional lambda probe (wide band), check with an exhaust gas analyzer if the pollution is correct. |
| Faulty ECU | Very rare but possible |
| Bad adjustment of the box | If this problem occurs after switching to lead-free 100% 95 or 98, the adjustment of the case may require a little less richness |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
The OBD tells me the mixture is too lean at idle.
| Seized or defective EGR valve | A damaged EGR valve will continuously allow exhaust gases to pass through, which will generate an air intake and therefore disrupt the operation of the ECU. |
| Defective hose or canister | May cause air intake |
| Faulty ECU | Very rare but possible |
| Poor fuel quality | Hypothesis not to be ruled out |
| External fuel filter to change | If it is practically clogged it can cause a drop in fuel pressure which the ECU will have to compensate for by increasing the injection corrections |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
The OBD tells me the mixture is too rich at idle.
| Spark plugs | When you switch to ethanol, you have to change them every 30,000km to avoid any combustion defects. Always take the original references. Iridium quality allows for greater longevity. |
| Ignition coils | If they have more than 60,000 km, the ignition coils are frequently the cause of misfires. In case of replacement, you must provide new spark plugs |
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| Lambda sensor before catalyst | A lambda sensor that is too slow or defective can cause this problem. – If it is a zirconium lambda probe, check when the engine is idling while the engine is warm if generally the probe does not take more than 2 seconds to undulate, otherwise it is too slow and may be defective. It is also necessary to check with an exhaust gas analyzer whether the pollution is correct. – If it is a proportional lambda probe (wide band), check with an exhaust gas analyzer if the pollution is correct. |
| Too much oil in the engine | Oil can go up to the air intake and then clog the exhaust |
| Check compressions | A compression problem can cause this problem. The difference between the highest and lowest must not exceed 20%. |
| Clogged exhaust | Not systematically but frequently audible |
| Valve stem seals that are no longer tight | Cause significant oil consumption, can disrupt injection corrections randomly at idle and also after long deceleration |
| Faulty ECU | Very rare but possible |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
For some time now I have been consuming more than before
| Lambda sensor before catalyst | A lambda sensor that is too slow or defective can cause this problem. – If it is a zirconium lambda probe, check when the engine is idling while the engine is warm if generally the probe does not take more than 2 seconds to undulate, otherwise it is too slow and may be defective. It is also necessary to check with an exhaust gas analyzer whether the pollution is correct. – If it is a proportional lambda probe (wide band), check with an exhaust gas analyzer if the pollution is correct. |
| Spark plugs | When you switch to ethanol, you have to change them every 30,000km to avoid any combustion defects. Always take the original references. Iridium quality allows for greater longevity. |
| Ignition coils | If they have more than 60,000 km, the ignition coils are frequently the cause of misfires. In case of replacement, you must provide new spark plugs |
| Air intake | To identify an air intake it is practically essential to have a smoke generator otherwise the search becomes very complicated |
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| catalyst | A clogged or broken catalyst inside can obstruct the passage of exhaust gases. From 2001 all ECUs detect this problem = Engine fault light illuminated |
| Bad pressure in the injection rail | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. |
| Faulty fuel pump | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. If the pump no longer works, remember to check if it is the fuse or the relay. |
| Check compressions | A compression problem can cause this problem. The difference between the highest and lowest must not exceed 20%. |
| Clogged exhaust | Not systematically but frequently audible |
| Defective flow meter (MAF) or air pressure sensor (MAP) | Bad air flow or pressure information can cause engine malfunctions |
| HS injector seals | Damaged injector seals cause a fuel leak and/or air intake |
| Breather hose or defective breather | Oil manages to enter the cylinders through the intake or if it is the hose this can cause an air intake |
| Camshaft sensor out of order or defective | Engine fault information will be present. If one of these sensors malfunctions there could be this type of problem |
| Faulty coolant temperature (ECT) sensor | Incorrect temperature information can cause this type of problem. |
| It's possible if you only make short trips | In cold weather, the engine takes longer to warm up, up to 60° an engine can be in the “starter” position. |
| Fuel leak | In principle easily identifiable by smell or discharge |
| Faulty fuel pressure regulator | In principle only certain engines over 15 years old are equipped with them. |
| Valve seats that are no longer tight | Cause non-linear idling, misfires, exhaust fumes, overconsumption, probable that the engine is at the end of its life, high mileage, old or neglected engine or poor design |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
| Seized or defective EGR valve | A damaged EGR valve will continuously allow exhaust gases to pass through, which will generate an air intake and therefore disrupt the operation of the ECU. |
| Poor fuel quality | Hypothesis not to be ruled out |
My LTFT (long term injection corrections) are too high at idle (hot engine)
| Spark plugs | When you switch to ethanol, you have to change them every 30,000km to avoid any combustion defects. Always take the original references. Iridium quality allows for greater longevity. |
| Ignition coils | If they have more than 60,000 km, the ignition coils are frequently the cause of misfires. In case of replacement, you must provide new spark plugs |
| Air intake | To identify an air intake it is practically essential to have a smoke generator otherwise the search becomes very complicated |
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| Lambda sensor before catalyst | A lambda sensor that is too slow or defective can cause this problem. – If it is a zirconium lambda probe, check when the engine is idling while the engine is warm if generally the probe does not take more than 2 seconds to undulate, otherwise it is too slow and may be defective. It is also necessary to check with an exhaust gas analyzer whether the pollution is correct. – If it is a proportional lambda probe (wide band), check with an exhaust gas analyzer if the pollution is correct. |
| catalyst | A clogged or broken catalyst inside can obstruct the passage of exhaust gases. From 2001 all ECUs detect this problem = Engine fault light illuminated |
| Bad pressure in the injection rail | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. |
| Faulty fuel pump | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. If the pump no longer works, remember to check if it is the fuse or the relay. |
| Clogged exhaust | Not systematically but frequently audible |
| Defective flow meter (MAF) or air pressure sensor (MAP) | Bad air flow or pressure information can cause engine malfunctions |
| HS injector seals | Damaged injector seals cause a fuel leak and/or air intake |
| Breather hose or defective breather | Oil manages to enter the cylinders through the intake or if it is the hose this can cause an air intake |
| Fuel leak | In principle easily identifiable by smell or discharge |
| Faulty fuel pressure regulator | In principle only certain engines over 15 years old are equipped with them. |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
| Seized or defective EGR valve | A damaged EGR valve will continuously allow exhaust gases to pass through, which will generate an air intake and therefore disrupt the operation of the ECU. |
| Defective hose or canister | This can cause air intake |
| External fuel filter to change | If it is practically clogged it can cause a drop in fuel pressure, thus limiting the pressure necessary for proper operation. |
| Verifiable and/or adjustable with the 2.0 Wifi box | Possibility of checking the operation sent to the injectors and often if it is an ignition problem we perceive a great irregularity of the cursors on all the cylinders |
My LTFT (long term injection corrections) are too high at 2700 rpm (hot engine)
| Spark plugs | When you switch to ethanol, you have to change them every 30,000km to avoid any combustion defects. Always take the original references. Iridium quality allows for greater longevity. |
| Ignition coils | If they have more than 60,000 km, the ignition coils are frequently the cause of misfires. In case of replacement, you must provide new spark plugs |
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| Bad pressure in the injection rail | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. |
| Faulty fuel pump | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. If the pump no longer works, remember to check if it is the fuse or the relay. |
| Lambda sensor before catalyst | A lambda sensor that is too slow or defective can cause this problem. – If it is a zirconium lambda probe, check when the engine is idling while the engine is warm if generally the probe does not take more than 2 seconds to undulate, otherwise it is too slow and may be defective. It is also necessary to check with an exhaust gas analyzer whether the pollution is correct. – If it is a proportional lambda probe (wide band), check with an exhaust gas analyzer if the pollution is correct. |
| Defective flow meter (MAF) or air pressure sensor (MAP) | Bad air flow or pressure information can cause engine malfunctions |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
| Seized or defective EGR valve | A damaged EGR valve will continuously allow exhaust gases to pass through, which will generate an air intake and therefore disrupt the operation of the ECU. |
| Poor fuel quality | Hypothesis not to be ruled out |
| External fuel filter to change | If it is practically clogged it can cause a drop in fuel pressure, thus limiting the pressure necessary for proper operation. |
| Verifiable and/or adjustable with the 2.0 Wifi box | Possibility of checking the operation sent to the injectors |
My duty cylce reach 100%
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| External fuel filter to change | If it is practically clogged it can cause a drop in fuel pressure, thus limiting the pressure necessary for proper operation. |
| Verifiable and/or adjustable with the 2.0 Wifi box | Only the 2.0 Wifi box makes it possible to check the duty cycles in operation in order to detect this problem, 100% means the injectors no longer have time to close between 2 sprays |
| Check the operation of the ethanol box | For Starflex housing: – With the engine idling, open the case and check if the green LED is lit, it should be lit alone – With the engine idling, open the housing and quickly turn the potentiometer(s) counterclockwise to the stop (0), the engine must react (drop in speed and limit of stalling) – You can also check with the OBD if the STFTs vary when you modify the potentiometer but depending on the brand it is not always instantaneous or visible For the 2.0 box you have the information from the % sent by the box, but to be certain you can proceed as follows: – Engine idling, PC connected to the box via Wifi, note the injection time sent by the ECU, then switch the box setting to 0%, insert your password to validate the request, the engine must react and check the injection times sent by the ECU which must have changed a few seconds after validation (unless you have the ethanol sensor option and there is only unleaded in the tank, in this case the sensor will have a value close to 0 which does not result in any modification on the part of the box) |
MAP too high > 0.45 bar
| Air intake | To identify an air intake it is practically essential to have a smoke generator otherwise the search becomes very complicated |
| Injector(s) | Check if the nozzles are not blocked by a pasty scale which can be created over time, this scale hardens with the cold and can prevent the injector from spraying. Otherwise the injectors are tested on a bench. Always choose new injectors rather than cleaning and reconditioning. Never buy cloned injectors that are much cheaper but last 3 weeks and can sometimes spray more than 30% less than the original ones. Old injectors can also poorly support the double opening created by the housing, which can cause misfires and shaking. Avoid stations that sell their E85 much more expensive than others, no one goes there so the station tank empties very slowly and the ethanol accumulates the water which is created by condensation, and if you add fuel which is at the bottom of the tank almost empty you will have a strong % of water... Nothing better to seize up your injectors which will have to be replaced. |
| catalyst | A clogged or broken catalyst inside can obstruct the passage of exhaust gases. From 2001 all ECUs detect this problem = Engine fault light illuminated |
| Bad pressure in the injection rail | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. |
| Faulty fuel pump | For indirect injections, the fuel pressure is one of the only pieces of information that the ECU does not have, so the pressure may be bad and you will not have an engine fault light illuminated on the dashboard. A lack of pressure will inevitably lead to a lack of power, injection corrections that are too high, combustion misfires or even engine failure which will no longer restart. Must be tested with a fuel pressure tester. If the pump no longer works, remember to check if it is the fuse or the relay. |
| Check compressions | A compression problem can cause this problem. The difference between the highest and lowest must not exceed 20%. |
| Clogged exhaust | Not systematically but frequently audible |
| Defective flow meter (MAF) or air pressure sensor (MAP) | Bad air flow or pressure information can cause engine malfunctions |
| HS injector seals | Damaged injector seals cause a fuel leak and/or air intake |
| Breather hose or defective breather | Oil manages to enter the cylinders through the intake or if it is the hose this can cause an air intake |
| Faulty fuel pressure regulator | In principle only certain engines over 15 years old are equipped with them. |
| Valve seats that are no longer tight | Cause non-linear idling, misfires, exhaust fumes, overconsumption, probable that the engine is at the end of its life, high mileage, old or neglected engine or poor design |
| External fuel filter to change | If it is practically clogged it can cause a drop in fuel pressure, thus limiting the pressure necessary for proper operation. |
| Some engines do not transmit the same values for this information, for example some Renault |
The engine overheats
| Clogged exhaust | Not systematically but frequently audible |
| HS or defective cylinder head gasket | Perform a CO2 leak test |
| Coolant leak | Build up pressure to check |
| Faulty water pump | To be checked |
| Defective thermostat | Calorstat which remains closed |
| Faulty coolant temperature (ECT) sensor | Incorrect temperature information can cause this type of problem. |
| Temperature key for HS or defective Starflex boxes | Check the engine temperature using the OBD. If in doubt, reconnect the original connection without dismantling everything to check. |
| Verifiable and/or adjustable with the 2.0 Wifi box | The temperature sensor of the case allows you to have this information on the PC or smartphone application over wifi |
High idle or slow down
| Air intake | To identify an air intake it is practically essential to have a smoke generator otherwise the search becomes very complicated |
| Dirty or defective throttle body | Check whether the throttle body has any play. If it is defective, in principle the ECU quickly goes into degraded mode. If it is clogged the engine may stall at idle. |
| Breather hose or defective breather | Oil manages to enter the cylinders through the intake or if it is the hose this can cause an air intake |
| Defective electronic accelerator | A faulty electronic accelerator pedal can cause this problem |
| Seized or defective EGR valve | A damaged EGR valve will continuously allow exhaust gases to pass through, which will generate an air intake and therefore disrupt the operation of the ECU. |
Idle too high when hot
| Air intake | To identify an air intake it is practically essential to have a smoke generator otherwise the search becomes very complicated |
| Dirty or defective throttle body | Check whether the throttle body has any play. If it is defective, in principle the ECU quickly goes into degraded mode. If it is clogged the engine may stall at idle. |
| Breather hose or defective breather | Oil manages to enter the cylinders through the intake or if it is the hose this can cause an air intake |
| Seized or defective EGR valve | A damaged EGR valve will continuously allow exhaust gases to pass through, which will generate an air intake and therefore disrupt the operation of the ECU. |
The engine consumes a lot of oil
| Check compressions | A compression problem can cause this problem. The difference between the highest and lowest must not exceed 20%. |
| Breather hose or defective breather | May be the cause of oil consumption |
| Oil leak on TDC sensor | Disassemble the sensor to check that it is dry, if there is any oil present you will have to uncouple the gearbox to change the crankshaft oil seal which is located behind the flywheel |
| Valve stem seals that are no longer tight | Cause significant oil consumption, can disrupt injection corrections randomly at idle and also after long deceleration |
| Oil leak | To be checked |
| Depending on the engines this may be normal | To see with the manufacturer's data, some engines consume significant original consumption. |
On the PC or smartphone application the cursors become inconsistent when the motor malfunctions
| This most often comes from the ignition, so spark plugs or coils |
(2.0 Wifi) On the PC or smartphone application, 1 cursor remains frozen while the others work
| This means that the ECU has cut off its injection and ignition on 1 cylinder following a combustion fault problem. In principle when the problem is permanent, the engine fault light on the dashboard starts by flashing during restart then stays on continuously, which means that the ECU has detected a combustion problem on 1 cylinder (when it flashes) then, by safety it cuts off the injection and ignition on the cylinder concerned. The OBD will give a fault code corresponding to a combustion problem on the cylinder number concerned. —————————- – With the PC and smartphone app, when you start, you see all the cursors that operate with the injection times sent by the ECU then to the injectors, from the moment the ECU has stopped its operation on the cylinder which presents a problem we can see that the cursor concerned remains frozen while the others work. The color of this cursor corresponds to the colors of the wires in our harness to make your search easier. Example: Problem on cylinder 2, color of the gray cursor on the PC and smartphone app, in this case the colors of the corresponding wires on our harness will be the gray wire and the red wire for the male connector and the white/gray wire and the red wire for the female connector, so you quickly identify the cylinder which has a fault. Once the cylinder is surrounded, it's very simple, all you have to do is reverse the elements (spark plug, coil, connection of our harness) with the other cylinders Example: Problem on cylinder 1 / blue cursor on the PC and smartphone app, in this case carry out the following tasks: – Inversion of our harness comprising the blue and white/blue colored wires on cylinder 1 (blue) with cylinder 2 (gray) – Inversion of the spark plug of cylinder 1 (blue) with cylinder 3 (green) – Reversing the ignition coil of cylinder 1 (blue) with cylinder 4 (brown) – Clear engine fault via OBD scanner (In this example we match the order of the cylinders with the order of presentation of the colors of the cursors but know that this is to simplify the example because the connection of our harness does not have a cylinder order, you you do not have to connect the blue wire harness with cylinder 1, our box works regardless of the connection order) Then restart the engine and check the operation of the cursors again and one of them will remain fixed when the ECU has cut off the faulty cylinder, the color of the cursor will allow you to target the cylinder with the element you have reversed. – The cursor is fixed on the blue color so cylinder 2 = housing or housing harness problem, in this case open the housing and plug the harness into the connector provided for 5 to 8 cylinders, then restart, if the problem is resolved it is the box which is malfunctioning, if the blue color always remains fixed in this case it is the beam – The cursor is fixed on the gray color so cylinder 1 = injector, or significant air intake at the level of the collector seal, valve, piston, etc. – The cursor is fixed on the green color so cylinder 3 = defective spark plug, change them all – The cursor is fixed on the brown color so cylinder 4 = ignition coil, change them all as well as the spark plugs |
(2.0 Wifi) On the PC or smartphone application 1 cursor exhibits totally inconsistent operation
| Identify the cylinder with the wires of the same color as the faulty slider. – Check if there is a terminal that is incorrectly inserted on the male connector which is connected to the engine harness or on the female connector which connects to the injector. – Check the condition of the white connector that plugs into the housing – Open the case – Disconnect the harness from the box and check on the white connector there are small windows to see if the terminal is correctly inserted, check that it is correctly inserted for each wire. – Connect the white connector to the neighboring 10-pin connector which is dedicated to cylinders 5 to 8, if the problem is solved in this case the box may be defective, unless it is an intermittent failure which can confuse troubleshooting, To do this, try reconnecting it to connector 1 to 4 cylinders to be sure that the problem returns immediately. – Reverse the connection of the harness having the wires of the same color as the slider which presents failures with the neighboring cylinder to see if the problem moves. If it moves = ignition or injector problem If the faulty cursor remains the same = faulty box harness |
On the PC or smartphone application 1 cursor is missing on the PC and smartphone application even though it is normally connected
| If you have just completed the assembly, the cylinder with the missing slider color wires has reversed polarity or is incorrectly connected. – Check if the direction of connection of the male terminals of the connector is not reversed in relation to the others – Check if a terminal is incorrectly inserted in the male connector of our harness of the cylinder concerned |
(2.0 Wifi) On the PC or smartphone application unexpectedly, especially when the engine is idling and I apply a little throttle, I have a cursor which sometimes displays 1 inconsistent value, the cylinder concerned may differ every time this happens but I don't feel any hiccups
| If the cylinder changes each time and the acceleration occurs without hiccups it is nothing serious, this may be due to poor information capture from the PC or smartphone app |
(2.0 Wifi) On the PC or smartphone application unexpectedly, especially when the engine is idling and I apply a little throttle, I have a cursor which sometimes displays 1 inconsistent value, the cylinder concerned may differ every time this happens but I experience one or more hiccups when this happens
| If the engine is cold and this problem is new, the causes may be: – Candles – Coils – Injector(s) that seize or are clogged – Lack of tightness of the valves when cold - Air intake – Oil leak spreading into the air intake manifold (valve stem seals, breather, low compressions, too much oil) If the engine is cold and it has been cold since the beginning of the installation of the box, the cause is probably: – The mixture is too lean when cold, it is necessary to increase the % or the operating time for the temperature concerned during start-up If the engine is hot, the causes may be: – Candles – Coils – Defective injector(s) – Lack of valve sealing - Air intake |
(2.0 Wifi) When I am connected to the box with my application, other apps no longer work (android)
| Switch applications that are blocking to 4G or 5G | Go to Settings / Connections / Data usage / Apps with mobile data / validate the applications you want to work without depending on wifi |
(2.0 Wifi) I just installed the application on my smartphone, I inserted the wifi code in my settings and the app remains stuck on the connection page
| You have to wait 5 minutes | During the very first connection when you have just installed the application and inserted the wifi code in the settings of your smartphone, your application will not start working immediately and will remain stuck on the connection page as if you were not connected. As it is a wifi connection which does not have an internet connection, your smartphone will have a delay of approximately 5 minutes to accept this connection. Once this first connection is accepted you will no longer have this problem for subsequent times, your smartphone will have recorded this connection and it will automatically connect to the box |
