Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Wastegate trouble

[brad k]

On my '01 24v 6 sp i have a power puck controller and has worked great for several years. Lately under a load it will unload the wastgate and the check engine light will come on and run poorly. After turning the ignition off and restarting it will go away and run fine. I dont have a code reader, but a neighbor does, had him check it and it was showing a MAP sensor code, so i replaced that and it is still doing it. Carries 18 psi at idle and 14 under load. Is it the controller or what am i missing?

 

[SnoKing]

18 psi of boost at idle???? Something is wrong with your gauge! I have never seen boost at idle.

 

[Road Dog]

The map sensor gives absolute pressure so it reads 15psi at sea level with zero boost. The MAP codes are usually high voltage or low voltage and can be a corroded connection or a failing voltage regulator in the ECM. The sensor uses 5VDC. Or the power puck is doing boost fooling so there's more connectors and maybe a failing power puck. I'd plug the MAP sensor back into the ECM and skip the extra controller.

 

[NIsaacs]

On my '01 24v 6 sp i have a power puck controller and has worked great for several years. Lately under a load it will unload the wastgate and the check engine light will come on and run poorly.

The wastegate is not computer controlled, but boost is. Like RD said, unhook your power puck, it is probably bad.

Nick

 

[brad k]

Those readings are actually fuel pressures. The boost is normal, until the wastegate lets go. Do these controllers go bad sometimes? I'll unhook it and try that awhile

 

[Road Dog]

The waste gate is controlled by a spring and actual boost pressure. It's 100% mechanical. If an over boost is detected then the ECM defuels which feels (and is) a lose of power. Normally the waste gate will open before over boost. Yes, controllers go bad.