Have I been sold a standard ECU?

**Sweep** · Sunday 17th August 2014, 10:55

I recently bought a "remapped" ECU, supposedly a HLM 304, yesterday was spent fitting the new ECU and I've just come back from a little test drive.

Disappointed is an understatement, from what I've read about remapped T5's, I was expecting a lot more.

So naturally I'm wondering whether I've just been sold a standard ECU with a RICA sticker on it.

The boost gauge creeps up to half way through the white, however I'm fairly sure that's what they are as standard, are they not?

**MoleT-5R** · Sunday 17th August 2014, 10:59

Does sound a little odd that you bought an HLM304 map that has a Rica sticker on it. My HLM map has on markings on it at all, but you can really tell the difference over standard.

**stribo** · Sunday 17th August 2014, 11:00

Did you do a stage 0 before fitting the remapped ECU I.e. can you rule out any vacuum leaks or faulty BCS?

**Sweep** · Sunday 17th August 2014, 11:09

Originally Posted by stribo

Did you do a stage 0 before fitting the remapped ECU I.e. can you rule out any vacuum leaks or faulty BCS?

Unfortunately due to being blinded by the thought of more power, stage 0 certainly passed my mind! How do I go about checking for vacuum leaks, and what's the BCS? Boost control something?

**stribo** · Sunday 17th August 2014, 11:20

Originally Posted by Sweep

Unfortunately due to being blinded by the thought of more power, stage 0 certainly passed my mind! How do I go about checking for vacuum leaks, and what's the BCS? Boost control something?

Boost control solenoid, or Turbo Control Valve (TCV). Check the general condition of the vac hoses, if they're starting to look perished then they'll definitely need changing. Finding a boost leak just by looking can be nigh on impossible, as sometimes a hoses that looks fine, will open up under pressure.

**M-R-P** · Sunday 17th August 2014, 11:37

Was the needle making half way up the gauge before you fitted the ecu?
I'd put the old ecu back in and work on getting the engine running right first, then fit the ecu and enjoy.

**Yosser** · Sunday 17th August 2014, 12:28

As per other replies, make sure it's running properly before anything else.

IIRC, I helped Smithson with a similar problem quite a while back and it turned out someone had plumbed the bcs in the wrong way round - boost wouldn't exceed wastegate pressure.

**Sweep** · Sunday 17th August 2014, 12:30

Originally Posted by M-R-P

Was the needle making half way up the gauge before you fitted the ecu?
I'd put the old ecu back in and work on getting the engine running right first, then fit the ecu and enjoy.

Yeah, it feels aa if it's running exactly the same to be honest!

**Sweep** · Sunday 17th August 2014, 14:03

Originally Posted by Yosser

As per other replies, make sure it's running properly before anything else.

IIRC, I helped Smithson with a similar problem quite a while back and it turned out someone had plumbed the bcs in the wrong way round - boost wouldn't exceed wastegate pressure.

Interesting, could be worth a look at. Where is it located?

Thanks for advice chaps.

**oblark** · Sunday 17th August 2014, 15:52

Originally Posted by MoleT-5R

Does sound a little odd that you bought an HLM304 map that has a Rica sticker on it. My HLM map has on markings on it at all, but you can really tell the difference over standard.

I`ve got a HLM 304 ECU with a RICA sticker on it

**MoleT-5R** · Sunday 17th August 2014, 16:10

Originally Posted by oblark

I`ve got a HLM 304 ECU with a RICA sticker on it

so it must be ok then.....

**theflyingbrick** · Sunday 17th August 2014, 17:10

i had the same problem with my first t5 It turned out the pipe was split on the idle control valve!! its quite common as both my cars had this as well as a few others

and Ill probably get shot down for saying this but a vaccum leak will cause all sorts of grief so if the cars running well but just not fast enough then I doubt its a vacuum pipe, id check the pipes I mentioned as well as the bcs pipe work as these are also commonly plumbed in wrong

**Sweep** · Sunday 17th August 2014, 17:39

Originally Posted by theflyingbrick

i had the same problem with my first t5 It turned out the pipe was split on the idle control valve!! its quite common as both my cars had this as well as a few others

and Ill probably get shot down for saying this but a vaccum leak will cause all sorts of grief so if the cars running well but just not fast enough then I doubt its a vacuum pipe, id check the pipes I mentioned as well as the bcs pipe work as these are also commonly plumbed in wrong

This wouldn't by any chance be the cause of my slightly high idle as well, would it?

**oblark** · Sunday 17th August 2014, 17:51

Originally Posted by Sweep

This wouldn't by any chance be the cause of my slightly high idle as well, would it?

Yes

**Sweep** · Sunday 17th August 2014, 19:07

Originally Posted by oblark

Yes

Gotta be worth a go!
Where's the BCS located?

**oblark** · Sunday 17th August 2014, 19:16

If you still have the air box then it`s under the MAF I think

**theflyingbrick** · Tuesday 19th August 2014, 18:42

Originally Posted by Sweep

This wouldn't by any chance be the cause of my slightly high idle as well, would it?

sorry didnt see this but as already said yes lol let us know how you get on

**Sweep** · Tuesday 19th August 2014, 20:29

Originally Posted by theflyingbrick

i had the same problem with my first t5 It turned out the pipe was split on the idle control valve!! its quite common as both my cars had this as well as a few others

and Ill probably get shot down for saying this but a vaccum leak will cause all sorts of grief so if the cars running well but just not fast enough then I doubt its a vacuum pipe, id check the pipes I mentioned as well as the bcs pipe work as these are also commonly plumbed in wrong

Originally Posted by theflyingbrick

sorry didnt see this but as already said yes lol let us know how you get on

Having re-read your original comment, it reads as if yours was down on power? Am I reading that right?
It seemed to pull quite handsomely without any issues on the old ECU, the only thing I noticed was a slightly high idle, around 900-950.

She smells more fuelly now the new ECU is in, so I'm assuming the extra fuel is there, but no boost to suit! Where is the ICV located? That'll give me two things to check when I'm off on Friday.

**Biff** · Tuesday 19th August 2014, 22:04

The idle control valve sits on the n/s front of the engine with an odd shaped hose that's attached to your throttle body. It's next to your inlet manifold.
Check all the pipes & give it a good dose of carb cleaner & it should work like new, mine was perfect after a clean.
I'd be sticking a boost gauge on so you can see what the score is & check all the vacuum lines as sneaky leaks are hard to find sometimes.
The difference between a standard & mapped car should be very noticeable mate.

**theflyingbrick** · Wednesday 20th August 2014, 16:54

Originally Posted by Sweep

Having re-read your original comment, it reads as if yours was down on power? Am I reading that right?
It seemed to pull quite handsomely without any issues on the old ECU, the only thing I noticed was a slightly high idle, around 900-950.

She smells more fuelly now the new ECU is in, so I'm assuming the extra fuel is there, but no boost to suit! Where is the ICV located? That'll give me two things to check when I'm off on Friday.

no it wasnt down on power as such but after fitting a know remapped ecu (direct from hlm) to car was no different!! i even put a mbc to see if i could get it to boost higher but no good................enter spit icv pipe