Fitech: warm start issue?!?

[MultiBeast]

Here’s my situation: everything fires up and runs fine but if I shut it down, say to fill up or run in the grocery store, and then fire it back up while it’s still warm it’s sluggish to fire up and then once it does I have to throttle it to have it level out idle. I’m assuming it’s getting too much fuel for warm start? Wondering if any other fitech guys have dealt with it? Thanks

 

[MonsterBIlly]

I have the same issue. inhave been having it since I out it on almost 2 years ago. I think because the computer is under the hood, it gets too hot. I dont think fitech can handle summer temps in a lot of places. I have tried everything. good luck to you.

 

[Mikesimp70]

I have the same issue. Fires great on a cold start, barely touch the key but when it is at operating temp and shut it down I have to crank a bit to get it going.

Lowered my 170 crank fuel last weekend and seems to be better.

 

[DirtDonk]

Could this be related to the bad temp sensor issue that they had? The sensor reads too low if I remember, so thinks it's cold when it's not. That would in theory add more fuel than needed if it just cools down a little bit from an already low place.

Also, are any of you using the old Command Center, or straight from a separate electric pump?
Return line, or not?
Stock timing, or letting the computer handle it?

Any of the issues also accompanied by a slow cranking issue where voltage might also be a little low?

Then finally, I wonder if it's something that can be tuned out by all the more in-depth tuning sequences that the more advanced installs are adding? Not sure if any of you have followed along on their facebook page or have done any of the in-depth tuning available in their software.

Just looking for any common denominators and such.

Paul

 

[markw]

Mine was heat sensitive too. As in when hot, it quit. No tuning or sensor changes made any difference. Ultimately the ECU was replaced under warranty. I use a 1" fiber spacer now as well to help shield the ECU from engine heat. 2" would be better but it didn't fit under the hood.

 

[bronkenn]

Sounds like the pressure regulator may not be working correctly. I have had two go bad so far. Both were the Bosch brand so now I am trying the Auto Zone one. It is nice having a pressure gauge at the unit to see the actual pressure. Ken

 

[MultiBeast]

Update:
I have replaced temp sensor with ac Delco part. It’s good to go!
I don’t use the fitech fuel pressure reg. Use aeromotive adjustable with return off of that

I have not done or heard, of these in depth tuning procedures. I will check that out.

I did drop my prime fuel multiplier down from 259 to 209. That has made it a lot better!

I have been thinking about an intake spacer. I have a cowl induction hood so I have plenty of room. However it doesn’t seem to get crazy hot. Maybe I’ll try that.

 

[MultiBeast]

Which style spacers are you guys using?

 

[Rusty_S85]

You have to play with the fuel spray to get it right you can make it run right, but to get it to run right you are best to call up fitech and sit on hold for an hour or two to be walked through it as they don't provide any kind of manual for tuning. They told us that they were working on a small manual telling you what changes to make to correct common problems but that was 6 months ago. We have vowed off of FItech systems and wont install them at work anymore after every single one we've installed came back with fuel injectors that keep sticking. Its so bad FItech sent us a whole bag of 50 injectors to swap out as they stick.

 

[gabe1974]

what's the ac delco part#?

 

[markw]

I used a 2" 4150 pattern 4 hole spacer and it ran great. Just didn't have room under a stock hood.

 

[MultiBeast]

Acdelco #213-928
https://www.amazon.com/your-orders/...ryId=&returnUnitIndices=&shipmentId=DBrBpq4N7

 

[MonsterBIlly]

my fitech has been nothing but problems. I have been through 3 handhelds and 2 cables. currently it runs okay unless it gets hot. then poop.

I thought the handheld was bad so I called fitech and they sent me a new one. plugged it in and it no works. so, I called them and ordered a new cable, 52.00 with shipping. guess what, handheld still no works. so my rig drives but I have no control over it. twice it left me stranded and i had to get tows. wouldnt start for a week each time, then randomly it started.

so, i am basically yanking it off and throwing in a sniper.

 

[NYLES]

what's the ac delco part#?

duralast SU108

Got my gauges within 5 degree before was 15 degree diff between controller and autometer temp gauge

 

[markw]

Hey MB, before you do that, send it back to Fitech. It sure sounds like the ECU is faulty. Tell the tech to get it good and hot, like 220. Took a couple of tries on mine before they got it hot enough to fail. A week later I had it back and it's been running fine since. I sure understand your frustration, took me a year, 2 fuel pumps, sensors, a handheld and a few hairs I can't afford to lose before I got it right. If I were to do it again I'd spend the extra and get an Eddlebrock system with direct injection. Lesson learned. If you stay with it and get it repaired and need a spacer let me know and I'll send you the one I didn't have room for.

 

[Rusty_S85]

my fitech has been nothing but problems. I have been through 3 handhelds and 2 cables. currently it runs okay unless it gets hot. then poop.

I thought the handheld was bad so I called fitech and they sent me a new one. plugged it in and it no works. so, I called them and ordered a new cable, 52.00 with shipping. guess what, handheld still no works. so my rig drives but I have no control over it. twice it left me stranded and i had to get tows. wouldnt start for a week each time, then randomly it started.

so, i am basically yanking it off and throwing in a sniper.

They just sent you a new hand held unit?

That isn't right though. They told us when we sent one back for replacement they told us to never mix hand units as they are calibrated to the specific ecm on the fitech itself. We made the mistake and tried plugging another units hand held unit in for diagnostic and it ran horribly.

 

[gabe1974]

Thank you for posting the part#!

 

[Vicki]

Vicki's 73 is running with the original FiTech Command Center. We just replaced the motor as the old 302 was smoking and started knocking which seemed to create or add to the issues with the EFI. I have been waiting for an appointment slot with a FiTech "guru" we learned about at a car show for a couple months now. I thought maybe the new 302 resolved those EFI problems until last Sunday. We went to the Maragaritaville show and in blazing heat on the way home the motor died. We were slowing down into stop and go traffic in the center lane on I-4. We sat there waving traffic around us and within 2-3 minutes ( seemed like eternity ) she fired up and ran long enough to get us off at the next exit stop light when she quit again. By the time the light turned green I got it started again until we had to stop at another light. This happened 5 more times including when we pulled into our garage at home and stopped.

Since then I have fired her up cold in an instant in the garage and checking the Command Center pressures she acts perfectly. It's pretty obvious FiTech doesn't like extreme heat. Also I think the deceleration fuel setting may be off.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Jim

 

[MonsterBIlly]

I am dealing with the same over heating issues. I ended up finding a hood at a parts yard that has lovers in it. so im.swapping that hood in real quick and I am installing the inner fender mesh. i have asked around and this should greatly improve the airflow under the hood and hopefully keep it a lot cooler.

 

[DirtDonk]

Vicki's 73 is running with the original FiTech Command Center.

Hey Jim. Are you running with, or without a return line to the fuel tank?
If you are running an original command center without a return line I believe you're probably one of the very few that have successfully run this setup for any length of time. Perhaps time was just up for this iteration.

Has it been running fine all this time? If so, how often have you had it out in heat, or stop-n-go traffic up to that point?
Just wondering if you never ran afoul of the pump overheating.

The Command Center is a legitimately clever way to simplify plumbing, but was apparently not happy with heat (as any pump system would not be) building up.

We just replaced the motor as the old 302 was smoking and started knocking which seemed to create or add to the issues with the EFI.

What issues were you having prior to this trip with all the stalling?
A new more powerful engine might also be developing more heat. In fact, it SHOULD be making more heat, including under the hood.
Did you change anything else when you installed the engine? Adding headers perhaps? A different radiator?
Tuning changes? Running a different distributor and timing curve perhaps?

Since then I have fired her up cold in an instant in the garage and checking the Command Center pressures she acts perfectly.

Were you able to check during all the trouble times? Did pressures look normal then?

It's pretty obvious FiTech doesn't like extreme heat.

Yep, pretty much the usual conclusion at least where the Command Center is involved. Are you able to check what the coolant temp is that the computer sees when this is all happening? Just wondering if the EFI tuning is being effected at the same time because it thinks it's too hot and is trying to compensate some other way.
But the Command Center would be suspect to me, if it's not running with a return line. I know they always gave the customer the option of running with, or without a return to the tank, but it prefers the return line. I'm betting for simplicity's sake, most installers opted to run without a return.
And while some vehicles (passenger cars mostly) seemed to run just fine with the Command Center, it seems like the Broncos with their crappy under-hood airflow did not keep them happy.
Hopefully you can keep the CC but they came out with an updated one that, I believe, is only used with a return line.

Good luck with your isue.

Paul