How To Install Fuel Maximizer Control Module
FuelMaxx Fuel Maximizer Control Module (21st Century Snake Oil) The FuelMaxx device is a 3¢ 22kΩ resistor in a 15¢ plastic project box, the potting material probably cost more than the resistor, box, and wire. Per the included instructions it is installed in parallel with the Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor. The Tunesport Performance Module is the answer to increasing performance and getting the most fuel economy out of your engine. The Tunesport Module calculates the correct combinations of air, fuel and spark to produce more power, unlocking up to 30 Horsepower and up to 8 MPG in your vehicle.!
The ignition module of your vehicle is the heart of your entire ignition system. Its two main roles are to create a spark strong enough to ignite the air/fuel mixture for combustion and to control the timing of the spark plugs by opening and closing the ignition coil ground circuit. The ignition module has a direct impact on the performance of the engine.
The module resembles a small electrical box with a wire harness. It is usually located on or in the distributor housing in domestic vehicles, and on the firewall or wheel-well in foreign vehicles.
Like all automobile components, the ignition module will eventually deteriorate and break. However, you can anticipate and prepare for the failure. These tips will help you recognize the two most common symptoms of ignition module failure.
1. Overheating
Overheating is a common indicator that you could be having an ignition module problem. Ignition modules that are overheating will soon completely cease to function and in the meantime can cause cause electrical shorts, engine stuttering, lower gas mileage, power loss, stalling, and gasoline odors in the exhaust.
You can test for overheating while the car still runs. Idle the engine for 30 minutes, and then tap the module with a screwdriver. The car may stall, which would strongly suggest that ignition control module may be the cause of the overheating you're experiencing.
If you are caught with an overheated module in an emergency situation, you can cool it down with ice water, engine coolant, or refrigerant fluid. However, this is a temporary solution only to be used as a last resort until you can reach repair facilities.
2. Sudden Failure
If your vehicle stalls unexpectedly during operation and will not start again, it is likely because of loose or corroded electrical connections in the ignition module. In this case, check the switch, clean oxidized terminals, and replace broken wires if necessary.
How To Install Fuel Maximizer Control Module
It’s also possible the circuits may be critically damaged by overheating if the problem is not addressed after the first or second occurrence. If you cannot start the car, you need to test the ignition control module using a light timing tester to check the output of the module.
Connect the timer to the positive terminal of the battery and check the continuity of the black output wire while cranking the starter. If the light blinks, the module is good. If the light is blank or constant, the module is bad. Before you attempt to replace the control module, you must rule out other ignition system components. The module is expensive and replacing it is a laborious process. Check the ignition coil for a spark. Examine the wires at the cap, rotor, and spark plugs. If the car runs but has timing problems, use a tester light and wrench to adjust the spark plug timing according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
First off, don't confuse replacing an ECM with repairing one. The end result might be the same -- you can drive your car again, after all -- but engine control modules and units do sometimes go bad, and they aren't really designed to be repaired -- at least, not by the owner or by an average mechanic. It shouldn't be too hard to swap out a faulty ECM for a new one, but that's about as user-friendly as this process can get. Quite simply, it takes specialized knowledge and specific tools to repair, not replace, an ECM.
Actually repairing an ECM requires disassembling the unit and performing some pretty detailed, precision-critical electronics work. It's similar to repairing the motherboard in a desktop computer -- assuming it can be repaired it all. Some experts recommend removing and opening the unit, and sniffing around for the telltale signs of electrical damage (if you've never smelled it before, consider yourself lucky -- but you'll probably still be able to identify the chemical tang of burned metal). Also, if there is any corrosion from acid or moisture damage, it'll probably be easily visible. If you're not planning to do the repairs yourself, the only benefit to this step is that you'll know you're on the right track with your diagnosis. That said, the absence of such evidence does not mean the ECM is fine. Got that?
Your options are to buy a new ECM, or send in your old one and wait for it to be repaired (and you can probably guess which one costs less). So even if you or your mechanic suspects the ECM might be the source of your trouble, you should troubleshoot and eliminate all other potential problems before pulling the ECM and installing a new one. Replacement can cost anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars, and can be made more complicated (and expensive) if the ECM has to be modified to accommodate security systems, smart keys, immobilizers, or anything else electronic that is specifically configured to your car. And don't forget that many ECM repair services are happy to return a unit they determine is beyond repair (if certain areas of the processor have been damaged, vital data cannot be retrieved). This might seem baffling at first -- you might wonder what purpose a completely fried ECM could possibly serve -- but remember that the unit stores all kinds of personal data from your car, which some people might not want left hanging around forever in some random warehouse.
It's worth noting that, just as a bad ECM can cause all sorts of electrical problems, the inverse is also true -- faulty or malfunctioning sensors can actually damage your ECM. That's another argument in favor of following a thorough troubleshooting procedure before assuming the source of a problem. If you know you have a faulty sensor or two, get them replaced as soon as possible.