Why am i detonating?

[turbizzy]

I cant figure out why i detonate beyond 8 or so PSI. With my KS disconnected it runs great and in the cold mornings i run lots of boost (14-17). When its warm in the afternoon, it pings so i gotta keep in under 10 psi. I hook up the KS and anytime im over 8 psi i can feel my timing changing as my car looses power even with boost present. IT used to do this when i first bought the car before knowing about unhooking the KS and for a few months couldnt figure out whats wrong. One day it just went away. Seems to be picking up some detonation somewhere and its verified since w/o it hooked up it does in fact ping??? Why is it pinging?

My base timing is at 10 degrees, fuel pressure at idle is 35 psi, idle w/o vacuum is 44psi, my A/F gauge says im in the beg. to middle rich portion at WOT even when i ping, i have no ACT, coolant sensor is new, KS new, new MSD TFI coil (BTW this thing is noisy huh)

Im am going to do a full motorcraft tuneup again next weekend as i have a very small miss at idle. Car seems to hard start after about half hour of sitting but ok after turnedoff recently. When it does hard starts and finally starts, raw fuel smell and lil bit of black smoke then goes away.

Could a loose TFI module cause this issue, i found that one of the 2 screws is missing and the module is slightly loose? Also, the KS i got is for my 85 SVO, is this the same for the LA3 or should i get a KS for a Tbird?

Sorry for the long post, im sick of trying to firgure out this forever problem.

[notopstang]

not sure about the detonation problem, but the KS is the same for the SVO as it is for the TC, so that shouldn't be an issue.

--Javier

[turbizzy]

Pulled codes

This is what i got from a Snap On Scanner

KOEO:
54 (ACT signal high or ckt open) <--prob due to the not being one.
81 (2.8L Thermactor service code)
82 Same as 81
83 (EGR ckt failure) opn or shrt EGRC solenoid
84 (EGR ckt failure) opn or shrt EGRV solenoid

81-82 dont apply to me right (2.8L)? My manual says symptons for the 83 and 84 code include Detonation and no EGR control and runs rough.

KOER: First of all i got a message saying Erratic PIP signal, then i got another saying Cylinder ID Mismatch. Test still proceded. Then before codes i got a message saying slow code 20? Could not find def. for code 20 in manual.
Continuous codes:
24 (ACT / VAT not at normal operating temp)
34 (with RPM elevated, specific RPM did not drop w/ EGR activated)
75 (Not goosing the throttle becuz it never told me to, onle the cylinder id mismatch was on during test, never asked for a brake press or steering wheel turn or throttle goose.
77 (same as 75).

Just for the record, the green vacuum hose that goes to the EGR was broken a while ago, just replaced few days ago. Maybe some buildup is present at EGR. Checked with a Vacuum pump and idle did drop when i manually opened EGR. I guess the EGR solenoid is bad of ckt is. What about the Erratic PIP signal or Cyl ID mismatch? I dunno, im about to pull my hair out!

[Pat_in_L.A.]

Izzy, did you I.D. the car as an SVO or as an 88 Turbo Coupe when you started up the snap-on scanner? The scanner wants to know what the ECU matches up with(a Turbo Coupe). If you entered your SVO VIN# you will get garbage back. Also erase all codes and start over fresh from scratch. I tend to think that your EGR solenoid or wiring is to blame. Either that or you got a bad batch of gas. Swap out another distributor to see if the PIP signal code goes away.

[GAboySVO]

The EGR recirculates CO2 in the exhaust gases back to the intake. This has the effect of lowering cylinder temps and helping to reduce the chance for detonation, so this could be part of your problem.

I'd say that a loose TFI will cause problems of when a spark is generated and could contribute to your detonation problem.

[turbizzy]

Guilty

Yes, i did enter my VIN # as i didn't have access to the LA3s Vin #. Can anyone give me their 10th, 8th, and 5th digit from a TC preferably a 88 since thats what mines off of?

As far as the EGR,know what it does and how it lowers cylinder temps and reduces NOx and such but i hear people on here talking about how they blocked off their EGR and no probs?? Maybe they also run 93 or better, all i can get my hands on from the pump is 91 and it has that ethanol crap or MTBE for lovely CA summer emmisions. I'm always trying gas from different places but mostly run ARCO or Costco, its the cheapest, but they all don't seem to make a difference. I definately think my car is detonating since that now that im running w/ my KS hooked up my timing goes way off anytime im the throttle hard and build over 8psi, it is soooo slow even though the exhaust is roaring and boost it up. With it hooked up i get a few great WOTs then it starts pinging like it got too hot. Im going to put my stock airbox back on and get rid of my Cone since it seemed to get worse when i put it on. Also going to put on my stock intercooler back on too w/o BOV becuz i hate the way the TCIC doesn't line up to the hood seal. Prob this combo is causing increased aircharge temps.

As far as clearing codes, when i first checked i had all the same codes as i listed except i had a code 21 (ECT not in range) but this was maybe becuz i didn't wait until fully warmed up as it didn't show up again after i cleared codes.

Ill try a different Dist. soon when i get access to one but i was thinking about installing an ACCEL tfi that i got my hands on and make sure its securely fastened.

[Pat_in_L.A.]

You already know this but just a reminder:

The TFI gets it's signal from the PIP. If the PIP is junk, that may cause the TFI trouble code.