Threw code P2188 - Burning rich during idle

[knowledge007]

Well, well, well... I knew I was burning a little richer already with the mods I have installed. Got rid of the code b/c that is a bs code since I already knew this. But, this does tell me one thing, that the ECU cannot compensate for the mods. Which we all know not a good thing.

Went to Auto Zone to read the code. Kid showed me the code I immediately told him to erase it. Kid was persistent about not erasing the code due to courtesy of the dealer. I said to the kid "erase or I will" and the kid complied. Thank god, b/c I thought for a second there I was going to have to waste 80 bucks on a good OBD II reader.

My question to you is, should I buy a tuning solution?

Or, get an IC upgrade? Will the 3.25 or 3.5 get rid of this problem considering I will be bringing in more air?

Will this justify enough for the ECU to compensate?

 

[udontknowjack]

Well, well, well... I knew I was burning a little richer already with the mods I have installed. Got rid of the code b/c that is a bs code since I already knew this. But, this does tell me one thing, that the ECU cannot compensate for the mods. Which we all know not a good thing.

Went to Auto Zone to read the code. Kid showed me the code I immediately told him to erase it. Kid was persistent about not erasing the code due to courtesy of the dealer. I said the kid "erase or I will" and the kid complied. Thank god, b/c I thought for a second there I was going is to have to waste 80 bucks on a good OBD II reader.

My question to you is, should I buy a tuning solution?

Or, get an IC upgrade? Will the 3.25 or 3.5 get rid of this problem considering I will be bringing in more air?

Will this justify enough for the ECU to compensate?

i think ecu upgrade is a must....im waiting for the cpe GenII standback....(ughdance)

 

[Rotus8]

Oops. Double post.

 

[Rotus8]

I think you should involve cp-e. You have their equipment and it is not supposed to throw codes. They may have a fix for you. The dealer probably won't be very helpful. My advice is to not do more mods until what you have is workiing well.

 

[SwampAss]

I don't think a bigger intercooler will bring in more air. It just cools the air better. Right?

 

[xmysacredoathx]

Wait, wait, wait, lol

I am new to all this and have a couple ignorant questions:

What do you mean running rich?
Why is that a bad thing?

 

[knowledge007]

Well let see...

Maybe b/c of the my spark plugs. Or wait, maybe it is due to the fact the longer I run rich I may cause damage in the long run. Or maybe I don't want to throw CEL's every other month. Take your pick.

CPE's advise would be to get a tuning solution. Nowhere did they state that these mods together in working order would make the car NOT throw CEL's. We all know this car is running rich already with my mouth and ass wide open of course I would run a little richer. It does'nt take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.

 

[dread]

Why are you running rich with an intake and tbe, that doesn't make any sense. Do you have other mods. If anything you should be running lean.

 

[xmysacredoathx]

Well let see...

Maybe b/c of the my spark plugs. Or wait, maybe it is due to the fact the longer I run rich I may cause damage in the long run. Or maybe I don't want to throw CEL's every other month. Take your pick.

CPE's advise would be to get a tuning solution. Nowhere did they state that these mods together in working order would make the car NOT throw CEL's. We all know this car is running rich already with my mouth and ass wide open of course I would run a little richer. It does'nt take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.

I was asking in general, not trying to be a smart ass. Yet, you seem to get a smart ass attitude with me. I know very little about cars and do not know what the term "rich" means and do not know why that would be a bad thing?

Anyone else?

 

[knowledge007]

I was asking in general, not trying to be a smart ass. Yet, you seem to get a smart ass attitude with me. I know very little about cars and do not know what the term "rich" means and do not know why that would be a bad thing?

Anyone else?

I apologize. I did think you were trying to be a smart ass. (friday)

Well, rich means that their is not enough air to mix with the gas during combustion therefore leaving to much un-burnt gas being disposed of. Which it turn would produce carbon build up on your spark plugs and of course coming out of your exhaust. Which would in turn cut my high flow cats life in half practicly. If you have a speed3 you would know this car runs rich already.

 

[knowledge007]

Why are you running rich with an intake and tbe, that doesn't make any sense. Do you have other mods. If anything you should be running lean.

Well, im just telling you to what the car is telling me. (nailbyt)

 

[xmysacredoathx]

I apologize. I did think you were trying to be a smart ass. (friday)

Well, rich mean that their is not enough air for mix with the gas combustion therefore leaving to much un-burnt gas being disposed of. Which it turn would produce carbon build up on your spark plugs and of course coming out of your exhaust. Which would in turn cut my high flow cats life in half practicly.

No harm, no fowl. Is this a typical problem with turbo cars? Is this also the reason as to why there is alot of black in my exhaust tip?

 

[knowledge007]

No harm, no fowl. Is this a typical problem with turbo cars? Is this also the reason as to why there is alot of black in my exhaust tip?

Yes, but that is the setting from the factory. So you have nothing to worry about as this is normal.

 

[dread]

Man, you are very sensitive. I would call cpe, because the dealer might give you a problem with the tbe on. It still doesn't make any sense that you would be running rich with those mods.

 

[knowledge007]

The dealer is the one that put the TBE on. At least the 02 sensors are working properly.

What do you mean I am very sensitive?

I have noticed that sometimes I will be spitting out drop of gas out of the TBE. To where there is a nice little cloud of gas on the floor.

 

[CTGrey02]

They can still tell that the code was erased next time you bring it in. Erasing codes leaves another generic code in the computer that won't trigger a CEL. The other thing you could have done was just disconnect the battery to clear it. If the problem persists though, it's going to come back on, even after being erased.

 

[knowledge007]

They can still tell that the code was erased next time you bring it in. Erasing codes leaves another generic code in the computer that won't trigger a CEL. The other thing you could have done was just disconnect the battery to clear it. If the problem persists though, it's going to come back on, even after being erased.

Well thanks CT for the info. Come on man you should know that I already know that. But there is nothing i can do about until I spend some more money.

Anway, what do you think CT, would an IC upgrade work? Or do I need a tuning solution?

 

[CTGrey02]

These cars need a tune in stock form, let alone upgraded. There's really no reason to run that rich. I can see trying to make one tune for many environments but this is kinda nutty.

That said, you should be running leaner if anything. I think our fuel system is so strong that your ECU is overcompensating for the increase in airflow to keep the A/F reading it's getting in the 02 sensors back to where it's programed to be.

Reset your ECU in the meantime so it needs to relearn the mods you have. It should lean it out a bit until you can get a piggyback or ECU flash done to correct the A/F

 

[knowledge007]

These cars need a tune in stock form, let alone upgraded. There's really no reason to run that rich. I can see trying to make one tune for many environments but this is kinda nutty.

That said, you should be running leaner if anything. I think our fuel system is so strong that your ECU is overcompensating for the increase in airflow to keep the A/F reading it's getting in the 02 sensors back to where it's programed to be.

Reset your ECU in the meantime so it needs to relearn the mods you have. It should lean it out a bit until you can get a piggyback or ECU flash done to correct the A/F

So I disconnect the battery and reset the ECU. Will reseting the ECU clear the CEL?

The dealer would not be able to tune my ECU would they? I don't think they have the software to do that.

 

[CTGrey02]

In all honesty, I wouldn't think the dealer would be trained to do it. You need to find a good tuning facility with a dyno to do it. The only piggy back we're seeing out there right now is the one from ProtogeGarage, and from what I've seen of the A/F ratio... it works. You'll feel the improvement due to the increase in power also. I took the wait and see approach with these cars before buying one, and I'm doing the same thing with tuning options. It very well could be my first and only modification to the vehicle as I feel the stock tune is washing my piston rings with fuel. I won't know until I dyno the car though or get a wideband A/F monitoring system in place.

Reseting the ECU should clear the CEL as well. It may even feel a bit faster running leaner too. Disconnect the battery and lay on the brake pedal a bit to drain any capacitors of power, then reconnect it.