Codes 211, 212, & 114

[Skandocious]

I've gotten these codes a few times now... Cleared them inbetween reads and they keep coming back. It doesn't light up my CEL and my truck SEEMS to be running just fine, so I'm not sure if it's a problem:

211 (continuous memory) Two or more successive erratic Profile Ignition Pickup (PIP) pulses occurred, resulting in a possible engine miss or stall.

212 (continuous memory) Loss of IDM input to EEC or SPOUT circuit grounded.


They both involve my ignition/timing so I'm thinking perhaps it's a side effect of my Superchips chip (modifies my timing and fuel tables). What do you guys think?



Also got this:

114 (KOEO) ACT out of self test range 0.3 to 3.7 volts.

ACT = Air Charge Temperature sensor. Why am I getting THAT?!

 

[Raptor22]

Sounds pretty logical, I dont know too much about codes, but that does make sense....

 

[smokey]

The superchip might be setting off the ACT code also. The chip alters the input of the ACT to produce better power and this is one of the strategies the chip does to accomplish this.

 

[94supercab]

sounds like the chip to me. how often do you check for codes? I only do it if the CEL comes on or if it starts running bad. never checked just for the sake of checking...

 

[conanski]

You could probably eliminate all of them by removing the chip, then just advance the timing at the distributor a bit and you'll have your power back.. for free!!. Probably save you money on gas too if the chip is disabling the ACT, that will make the computer run open loop which will use more gas.

 

[Skandocious]

I don't believe the chip is making me run open loop-- the power gains don't seem as intense as when my truck runs open loop PLUS I'm fairly certain the chip gave me slightly better gas mileage (1/2 - 1 mpg better).

94supercab-- I don't check the codes that often. The only reason I checked several times lately was cuz I played with the TCC switch too much and had to clear the code for it.

One thing to note-- none of these these codes that I've posted light up the CEL, which makes me think that the computer isn't seeing the codes as a big problem as far as operation/efficiency is concerned.

 

[subford]

I will go along with conanski (Paul) on this one.

I do not know why that chip would try to fool the computer as to how much air was going into the engine (ACT+MASS AIR or MAP sensor = air volume). You would change the air/fuel ratio and loose power.

Running with chip you have advanced the timing and then have to use a higher grade to stop the pinging. I think the difference of 1 mpg would let you buy more fuel at the lower price by running the base timing at 10*BTDC.
If you want to buy high priced fuel you could always advance the timing the same as the chip does.

As far as the CEL (MIL) not being on for the Ignition codes, if the error was only there for about 1/1000 of a second I do not think you would see it. The computer is seeing the codes or they would not be in CM.

The first thing to do if you have any problems or codes is to remove the dumb chip and see if the problem or codes go away.

 

[Skandocious]

I will go along with conanski (Paul) on this one.

I do not know why that chip would try to fool the computer as to how much air was going into the engine (ACT+MASS AIR or MAP sensor = air volume). You would change the air/fuel ratio and loose power.

Running with chip you have advanced the timing and then have to use a higher grade to stop the pinging. I think the difference of 1 mpg would let you buy more fuel at the lower price by running the base timing at 10*BTDC.

[highlight]But without the power increase. The idea is that I can have more power, and the slight increase in efficiency will offset my increased cost for high-octane fuel Just because YOU don't like modding your truck for more power doesn't mean that the rest of us don't [/highlight]

If you want to buy high priced fuel you could always advance the timing the same as the chip does.

[highlight]Negative. The chip changes the entire timing table, not just the base timing. It also modifies the fueling tables. I really don't have any data proof of exactly what it does but this is what Superchips claims it does. I will say that I've run 14* base timing and now this chip with 10* base timing and I seem to have a little more power with the chip rather than advancing base timing.[/highlight]

As far as the CEL (MIL) not being on for the Ignition codes, if the error was only there for about 1/1000 of a second I do not think you would see it. The computer is seeing the codes or they would not be in CM.

The first thing to do if you have any problems or codes is to remove the dumb chip and see if the problem or codes go away.

[highlight]This was my thinking too... But taking the chip out is kind of a b!tch so I think I'm just going to leave it unless my truck starts having problems running. Thus far I haven't noticed any problems. I'm thinking that these codes might just be a necessary side effect of installing the chip; kinda like swapping in a manual transmission will throw codes on the auto-tranny's computer but the codes don't really hurt anything.[/highlight]

See red text above.

 

[Skandocious]

To be totally honest-- I'm not all that sold on this chip anyways... The performance gains are pretty minimal and if I didn't notice the slight mileage increase I'd probably trash it. The only reason I bought it was because I saw it on craigslist for $50 (retail = $350-400 incl. flashing it) and it was already flashed for my MOB1 catch code--- I just couldnt resist. Worst case scenario it would only cost me $50 to be able to tell people "don't bother using chips on OBD1-- they DON'T WORK!"

But it turns out that it did offer a little bit of power/mileage so I ended up keeping it. If it starts causing problems then I don't have much a problem with removing it and scrapping the whole idea. $50 is mice nuts.

 

[conanski]

The chip changes the entire timing table, not just the base timing. It also modifies the fueling tables. I really don't have any data proof of exactly what it does but this is what Superchips claims it does. I will say that I've run 14* base timing and now this chip with 10* base timing and I seem to have a little more power with the chip rather than advancing base timing.

Based on the info you provided it looks like the method they use to richen the fuel curve is to disable the ACT. Again this is something you can do yourself for free if you want.. just unplug the sensor, though it's not a good idea to run the motor in open loop all the time, this will accelerate cylinder wear. I bet you can replicate the power gains the chip achieves using this and distributor advance with premium fuel too, the motor should take 18-20deg advance.. which will be very noticable.