Thread: running lean?

Results 1 to 17 of 17
  1. #1 running lean? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    19
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    hey guys, I have a 1997 grand prix GT. I recently top swapped it. I got an air/fuel gauge hooked up yesterday and it says it's running lean. It drives perfect until its at idle. The RPM's drop down to like 400 and then jump back up to a normal idle. I have an alternator voltage booster so im running at like 15 volts, and when this happens the volts drop down with the RPM's to like 12 volts, and then slowly go back up to 15. This only happens when the car is warmed up.. please help!
    Reply With Quote  
     

  2. #2 Re: running lean? 
    Awaiting Confirmation
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    aowdnawi
    Posts
    23,292
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    You did a bad thing.

    Your transmission is going to hate you and nuke

    is the AFR gauge a wideband? If not, then its useless.

    what IS a normal idle speed for your car?
    Reply With Quote  
     

  3. #3 Re: running lean? 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    W Spfld
    Posts
    26,833
    Thanks (Received)
    53
    Likes (Received)
    90
    Dislikes (Received)
    1
    Your alternator cutoff is set to approximately 600rpm, therefore anytime rpm is below that number your alternator is commanded off.

    You hooked up a gauge and it says you are running lean. Please elaborate on where and what is lean. Your gauge during idle and normal driving should bounce up and down. The faster the better. At WOT it should peg rich and when you let off the throttle expect it to be lean.
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

    2010 Audi A6 Dual IC's
    Reply With Quote  
     

  4. #4 Re: running lean? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    19
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    lol I know matt, my trans already nuked on me. I just got it rebuilt and got it back 2 days ago lol..no it isn't wideband.

    and Bill, it actually always stays lean, it never goes rich or in the optimal zone...ive gone WOT, normal driving, and idle. it barely ever moves, it does a little bit but still stays lean.

    do you think it could just be my alternator voltage booster?
    Reply With Quote  
     

  5. #5 Re: running lean? 
    Awaiting Confirmation
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    aowdnawi
    Posts
    23,292
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    I'd pull it just to see.

    Which O2 sensor did you hook it up to?
    Reply With Quote  
     

  6. #6 Re: running lean? 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    W Spfld
    Posts
    26,833
    Thanks (Received)
    53
    Likes (Received)
    90
    Dislikes (Received)
    1
    No, I'm kinda thinking the problem is located between the seat and steering wheel.

    Check the connections/wiring on the gauge. If the car was running lean all the time, you'd throw a code or two about it. Which leads to the diagnosis of it being hooked up wonky.
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

    2010 Audi A6 Dual IC's
    Reply With Quote  
     

  7. #7 Re: running lean? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    19
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    I hooked it up to the one after the cat
    Reply With Quote  
     

  8. #8 Re: running lean? 
    DUI BABY Bio248's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    MILWAUKEE
    Posts
    31,340
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Quote Originally Posted by Brennan7 View Post
    I hooked it up to the one after the cat
    thats the wrong one. you need to read pre-cat o2 levels.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  9. #9 Re: running lean? 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    W Spfld
    Posts
    26,833
    Thanks (Received)
    53
    Likes (Received)
    90
    Dislikes (Received)
    1
    Quote Originally Posted by BillBoost37 View Post
    No, I'm kinda thinking the problem is located between the seat and steering wheel.
    I was right!!!!!!
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

    2010 Audi A6 Dual IC's
    Reply With Quote  
     

  10. #10 Re: running lean? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    19
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Lol ok bill you must be a comedian haha...I had a shop install them but ok..

    and bio r u sure its the 1st o2 sensor?
    Reply With Quote  
     

  11. #11 Re: running lean? 
    DUI BABY Bio248's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    MILWAUKEE
    Posts
    31,340
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    1
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    yes, 100% sure. the rear o2 sensor barely reads anything and is only there to show catalyst efficiency to the pcm.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  12. #12 Re: running lean? 
    SE Level Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    19
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    ok sweet thanks man! hopefully that will be what the problem is, ill let them know.
    Reply With Quote  
     

  13. #13 Re: running lean? 
    GTP Level Member 01gpgt01's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Hagerstown,Md
    Posts
    1,933
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    2001 GT. A few here and there mods http://www.streetfire.net/video/2001...ynp_208097.htm

    2009 Hummer H3 Solar flare premium
    Reply With Quote  
     

  14. #14 Re: running lean? 
    Donating Users gtpsleeper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Lawrence, Kansas, United States
    Posts
    1,351
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    ........ if the guys at the shop wired an af gauge after the cat dont EVER let them touch your car again....

    just get rid of that damn thing... even when its installed on the proper sensor its still not going to be accurate.....
    "My car is a racecar like Planet Fitness is a gym...."

    proud mark VIII victim!!! suck it...
    Reply With Quote  
     

  15. #15 Re: running lean? 
    The mod from over yonder TheOtherNick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Charles City, IA
    Posts
    9,955
    Thanks (Received)
    0
    Likes (Received)
    0
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    Hey at least you know your cat is working. Thats the most good a narrow band will do.
    01 gtp-big cam e85 dd 78dodge- guzzling fuel 05 cummins- rollin coal
    SMGPFC Two Nipple General
    Reply With Quote  
     

  16. #16 Re: running lean? 
    The Blue One blueguy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Dirtyzville, Missery
    Posts
    31,287
    Thanks (Received)
    1
    Likes (Received)
    2
    Dislikes (Received)
    0
    ^^That.

    LOL.
    Sold WBody's: '03 Blue GTP/'98 Green GTP/'98 Silver GT/'05 GXP
    '99 Chevrolet Silverado Classic Z71 4x4 - K&N Intake/Gibson Exhaust #TRUCKTHINGS
    '12 Buick Regal Turbo - ZZP CAI/20% Tint/HID's
    '89 Ford Mustang LX Notchback - LM7 5.3, 4L80, 9", HX40
    '04 Chevrolet Corvette MRM A4/LS1 - TSP LT's, 3"O/R X, AFE S2 CAI
    Reply With Quote  
     

  17. #17 Re: running lean? 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    W Spfld
    Posts
    26,833
    Thanks (Received)
    53
    Likes (Received)
    90
    Dislikes (Received)
    1
    Wow, I figured a mechanic wouldn't have made that mistake and thought you said you installed it.

    I like to laugh though...
    I drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

    2010 Audi A6 Dual IC's
    Reply With Quote  
     

Similar Threads

  1. Running lean in one bank?
    By SDGTP99 in forum 3.8L V6 Supercharged (L67)(L32)
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 04-15-2010, 01:22 PM
  2. Running Lean
    By duneking905 in forum 3.8L V6 Supercharged (L67)(L32)
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 03-25-2010, 02:06 AM
  3. Engine running lean
    By crd783 in forum 3.8L V6 Naturally Aspirated (L36)(L26)
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 11-09-2009, 01:26 AM
  4. STILL running lean..why!?
    By BwolfGT in forum General Tech Discussion
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 10-22-2009, 12:26 AM
  5. Is running lean safe?
    By BwolfGT in forum Off Topic Discussion
    Replies: 32
    Last Post: 10-13-2009, 07:46 PM
Tags for this Thread

View Tag Cloud

Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Posting Permissions
  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •