I had it isolated to the two wires I tapped into at the ECU for the TDC circuit. The yellow and green ones.

We have already sent the timing computer back to Vortech, and were still getting the CEL. Vortech and Evolution Autosports both said we could run the car safely to 6,000 without the timing controller, but with the CEL, we couldn't get past 3,000. So I have been chasing the issue for a few days (when I could take time).

Well, when I had removed the timing controller, I just cut all the wiring leading to it, taped off the open leads, and connected the one's that were needed to complete the circuits. I thought maybe that since there were three separate sets of connectors on each of the three leads that were re-connected that maybe there was just a bad connection. So I removed the timing controller wires, and just re-connected the existing stock wires (green, blue, and yellow). Cleared all the codes with the fuse and battery trick, re-connected them, started the car ..... same CEL ........

I am ALMOST ready to throw in the towel ......... then I say 'f--k it" and say I want bear wires contacting, not those damn clips ....... I remove the clips from the yellow and green wires (the one's that are for the TDC circuit), and re-connect them the old fashioned way ....... twist the wires together tightly, tape them over with electrical tape to protect them (the way I wired my MPFI swap onto my Civic ....). Clear the codes, start the car ........ no CEL!! Let the ECU reset itself for two minutes, turn off, restart the car, still no CEL.

So I drive it around for about 5 miles (Beltway traffic during rush hour - so couldn't go far), and everything is working fine (not supposed to rev over 6,000).

The saga is over, for now, until we get the timing controller back, and wire it in. Then we will be fully up to speed! It definitely had some midrange pull (to be safe, I set the VTEC controller to increase full 3-4% accross the board to avoid detonation - the Vortech tends to run lean everyone has said)., and you can tell it is going to be a beast once the VTEC is ok to use!!

 

i sent my timing controller in about 3 weeks ago and i still have nothing! keep me posted.

 

The owner of the car was going to talk to the big boss VP guy at Vortech about the whole mess with the timing controllers (he is a very pro-active person - being in your late 50's will do that .... ......)

 

Glad everything worked out so far. Keep us posted!

 

Good luck. Sounds like a nightmare. I'm sure for the owner it is a nightmare... :-)