TST and injector crackel.

[Mike B.]

I just installed a TST PowerMax CR on my 06 and I have a few problems.

First the thing is setting of codes like crazy. When I first started the truck I got 0514, 0073, and 0107. I know that I causes 0514 and 0073 by powering up the unit before I plugged the ambient air temp sensor back in the intake. I"m not sure why 0107 (map sensor voltage too low) would have been set.

I took the truck for a short test drive on 3x3 and every thing was fine. The power was smooth and the engine ran fine without any issues. I parked the truck for a couple of hours before the next restart. The second time I drove it the engine missed a few times under little to no throttle (going about 15-20 mph. ). This caused the check a tone to go off and tripped a code 0336 for crank sensor performance. Now ever time I start the truck I get a strange tone from the dash that I assume is from setting 0336 again.



The next problem didn't start happening until after the 0336 code was set.

On any setting other than 0x0 (stock) the injectors make noises when you let off the throttle. Not every time. I can make it happen by reducing throttle just as the engine starts to really pull AND the transmission is ready to shift. It sounds like the injectors start to crackle.



I'm going to buy a scan tool today so I can clear the codes for a fresh start. I want to use the bypass plugs to see if it still sets codes. If it does that I have a problem in the harness. If not I have a problem with the box.



I need to call TST tomorrow and see what they say. I'm guess I'll have to send the unit back for programing.



I've done a search and came up with lots of issues just like my but never any real answers or solutions.





Anyone got some answers?



Thanks

Mike

 

[WCounts]

You will get a 0336 code from time to time from the timing advance. This is not a problem. You want timing and the tst gives you as much as the ecm can take. When you let off the throttle quickly after full boost you will get turbo bark. This is not a good habit especially with the stock turbo. This will have you shopping for a new turbo.

 

[Daimler Dan]

So, let me get this straight. You pay $700-$900 and get codes? I know where I'd put products like that at. That's unacceptable.

 

[Mike B.]

This noise I'm hearing is not turbo bark. I know what that sounds like and this is way different. I'm not lifting all the way off the power I'm slowly backing off the throttle. It also does it if you hold, lets say 1/4 throttle from a stand still. When you hold steady power the engine unloads just before the shift points. This is when it sounds like the injectors are starting to crackle. 0x0 no noise, 1x1 or above makes this noise. The higher the power setting the louder the noise is.



thanks

Mike

 

[Jeff_K]

The noise you are hearing is most likely the advanced timing that the TST adds. Nothing to worry about.



Also, where are you hooking up the ground wire? Sometimes the codes are cured by grounding the TST inside the cab on the dash somewhere. Thats where I have mine and have no codes at all.

 

[GButia]

All boxes have there glitches..... with experience in modding the dmax and cummins over the past several years..... all power enhancing units have there issues. TST will take care of you... they are great to work with.

 

[JTryles]

I just installed a TST PowerMax CR on my 06...

In looking at TST's website they say "2006 Coming Soon"... how'd you get one already???

 

[JCleary]

The noise you are hearing is most likely the advanced timing that the TST adds. Nothing to worry about.



Also, where are you hooking up the ground wire? Sometimes the codes are cured by grounding the TST inside the cab on the dash somewhere. Thats where I have mine and have no codes at all.

I took a precaution and wired the ground to the dash as well. I have had zero codes, even when stomping on the throttle once before the truck was fully warmed up.



I hear a pretty good rattle when on the throttle, but the only noise I hear after a hard throttle run is some squealing from the fuel pressure gauge isolator. It seems the CP3 complains a bit after a full-throttle run.

 

[Mike B.]

JTryles,

I've been on a waiting list for the 06 modules. They called me Wednesday and I had it by Friday evening.





Jeff, I have the gound wire hook directly to the battery. The directions only say to change the ground location when also using a FASS or other pusher pumps. They also only talk about code 0647 being associated with the ground wire location.





After I wrote the first post this morning I headed out to by my scan tool. The check engine light was out. I've cleared all the codes and everything seems fine for the moment.



I agreee that the noise is a timimg issue because it does it on 1x1 (timing , no fuel).

I also know TST will take care of any problems I have. I've been dealing with them since early 1999 when I had them flash my ECM. I only posted because it's the weekend and TST is closed. I'm sure everything will work out.



Mike

 

[robertyoke]

I would move the ground.

I found that ground thing by accident, I had no air conditioning and after pulling the box on and off a bunch of times I forgot to hook ground up and the truck runs normal without ground just no extra power. So I hooked a switch to the ground so I could shut box off so I would have ac and I could flip switch for power, but after I grounded the wire to frame of the dash I had no more ac problems, or code problems. the switch is now my valet switch.

-robert

 

[hotram03]

hey send it back to TST the slight miss you have at little throttle to light accel is curable now I've lived with mine for a long time finally cured, move your ground to under dash if your AC ever stops working when the box is on and works when box not in use, make sure you have your map plugged in well and it clicks when you install the PMCR, will cause that 073-0107 code same problem here for awhile, make sure all terminals clean use contact cleaner if you need to, yeah I paid 700-900 for codes and AWESOME power, this box is nothing short of awesome, and "thats all I got to say about that"

 

[Coolslice]

I have the noise I think you are talking about. It sounds like he valves to me (I'm far from an expert). If I let off of it under power at about 25-30 mph it will rattle loudly. It almost sounds like a 2nd gen for a second. I have a TST but I've never had any issues. I just assumed it was normal diesel noises?? Keep us posted as to what you find out.

 

[Mike B.]

coolslice,

That's the noise I'm talking about. You're right, it does sound more like a valve rattle. My guess is that the fuel is cut back when you ease off the throttle but not the timing advance. Maybe TST has the timing advanced a hair too much, I don't know.



You're also right about the power, it's awesome. Now I have to find a local DTT dealer for a valve body, torque converter and flex plate install. I tried 5x5 once and I could tell the stock torque converter didn't like it so for now it 3x3.

 

[Jeff_K]

The noise is just the advanced timing. You notice it a lot more on a 3rd gen because the engine is so quiet to begin with. Wait till you stack another timing box/DL in there like the BDDL, thats when you REALLY hear timing rattle

 

[PHeadings]

The noise is just the advanced timing. You notice it a lot more on a 3rd gen because the engine is so quiet to begin with. Wait till you stack another timing box/DL in there like the BDDL, thats when you REALLY hear timing rattle

True, But you can add the third box to make the valve clacking go away. The valve clacking is believed to be low fuel pressure in the rail. As soon as I added the Ramifier it went away. The Bully dog sure makes it clackity-clack.

 

[Summit]

clacking

I think that the clacking noise is the rail pressure bleeding off.

i have the power pup on 90hp setting stacked with the torque dog 0-60-90. off there is no cackle, 60 there is a short cackle, 90 it cackles loud for 2-3 sec. like its bleeding off pressure. the more fuel pressure i add the louder & longer the cackle.



just my . 02. (spend it wisely)

 

[JStieger]

Isn't adding fuel pressure kind of the same as advancing injection timing? Here me out...



DLeno in all his 3rd gen box testing repeatedly commented that the duration only boxes resulted in a net retardation of timing. That is why boxes like TST and Juice add advanced injection timing to get the heat and smoke in check - to effectively counter the longer injection open time and have the injection event end at the same time as stock, for example.



Now we add fuel pressure box stacks into the TST equation and it has been numerously reported on here that the pressure helps the low end as well as dropped EGT a bit - i. e. , symptons of advanced injection timing. In other words, because of the increased pressure the injector doesn't have to stay open as long to output the same amount of fuel to make the same amount of power.



At least this is what makes sense to me I guess the question I have is, "how much timing advance is too much and how do you know?"



One thing I noticed is that earlier this year I ran a normal/mild TST box and the truck ran fairly quiet. However, with my latest TST "twins" I can definitely hear the so called rattling at <1700 rpm or so when giving fuel - and my SPA gauge definitely shows good rail pressure since the TST is only on 1x0.



I've never heard the clacking noise yet. The only valvetrain noise I hear is coming from the sweet sounds that the PDR cam makes!

So I hooked a switch to the ground so I could shut box off so I would have ac and I could flip switch for power, but after I grounded the wire to frame of the dash I had no more ac problems, or code problems. the switch is now my valet switch.

Robert - this is a good idea!

 

[Gypsyman]

Exactly what Julius said. Adding pressure allows you to run less duration (lower TST settings) and make the same or more power. Less duration = lower egts. BTW, better atomization from the added fuel pressure may also allow a more complete burn. A more complete burn equals less raw or burning fuel making it out the exhaust valves.



Richard

 

[Mike B.]

I spoke with Mark @TST this morning about the 336 code and the rattle my 06 has with the powermx CR.

In a nutshell 0336 is still a problem on some trucks, sometimes, with no real rhyme or reason as to when the code will trip. you could be golden for thousands of miles and the out of the blue set the code. They are working on it. In an effort to fix this they have changed the program to make the changes in timing occur more slowly. If I understood him correctly they are thinking that the rapid changes in timing were causing 0336 to be tripped. I'm sure a fix for this is coming soon.



Now about the rattle.

This is a timing issue and sort of connected to the 0336 code.

At low throttle (or low load) the cummins ECM advances the timing for a smooth idle and I guess good throttle response. When under load (and higher RPM) the Cummins ECM retards the timing to make the folks in Washington (EPA) happy. As I said, TST has slowed down the rate at which the PowerMax manipulates the injection timing (because of 0336 codes). This has added to the rattle we here when we reduce power or the engine unloads just before the transmission shifts (autos). The fuel is cut back but the TST box retarding the timing at a rate slower than the the fuel is being cut back. At the same time the Cummins ECM is advancing the timing (becasue of the low load on the engine) The Cummins ECM (my guess here) must advance the timing faster then the CR retards it.

Again this is all in an effort to not set the crankshaft sensor codes. It is also my understanding that the more fuel you're asking for the more timing advance you get. hence more rattle (with low engine load) at higher power settings



For what it's worth I don't get the impression that the rattle will harm the engine. I think it sounds worse than it is because these new trucks are so damn quiet. I've decided not to worry about the noise for now.



I was talking to Mark while I was driving down the road this morning so I wasn't taking notes. I'm sure I may have missed a few things but that was the general direction of the conversation.



I also asked him about power setting and the 48RE transmission. The instructions say the 4x4 is the maximum recommended power setting for a stock transmission. Mark said that he's re-thinking this and is now saying that 3x3 may even be pushing it a bit. 4x1 or maybe 4x2 would also be OK . I think I'm going to leave mine set at 2x2 until I upgrade the transmission.



Mike

 

[JCleary]

Mike- Thanks for the info! I love TDR, there's always something to learn. What you have described makes complete sense.



When I first installed my TST I ran it on 5x5 stacked with the BDDL in Tow mode. Holy cow! My clutch was fine until 5th gear, then WAAAAAAAA! Slip city.



Since then my clutch won't hold over 3x3, downloader on stock. Oh well.



I'm sure I'd have a toasted auto (if I had one... wish I did sometimes)