VAF screw up...

[darwink1]

While changing my air filter and cleaning the intake tube on my 93 FZJ80 I tried to disconnect the VAF. Couldnt get the plug apart so like the idiot I am I undid the 2 screws that hold the plug and gently pulled. Got it out to where I could see wires and such (not very far as there isnt much play) then promptly put it back in.

After buttoning everything back up I tried to start the van and it turns over but wont fire......

Tried resetting the computer by disconnecting the batt and it still wont start.

Searched on here and found one thread that mentions something about messing up soldered connections to a circuit board if this is done. It does not elaborate too much and I am curious as to what exactly I messed up and how to fix it.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

D

 

[retrofive]

Not sure if this thread helps or if you have seen it.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/301606-3-fe-vaf-meter-woes-lesson-learned-hard-way.html

 

[darwink1]

Yup that sums it up.

I guess my only option is to rip out the whole assembly and try to solder the wires back to the circuit board.....

or find a used one...

D

 

[CPJONES1231]

check with your local Carquest. They offer em reman for around $260.00

 

[darwink1]

Nice,

I have a buddy looking into it for me so well see. Id really like to take it out and try to fix it though, especially since its already messed up.

D

 

[retrofive]

Nice,

I have a buddy looking into it for me so well see. Id really like to take it out and try to fix it though, especially since its already messed up.

D

Ya, may as well give it shot, not like you can break it more right? I would give it try.

 

[darwink1]

Well, I got everything disconnected for the 2nd time today.

Got the VAF out and ended up losing one of the spacers that sit on the studs behind the air box flange. Managed to fab up a new one out of a small bolt but still spent 25 minutes searching the drive way...... Otherwise everything went smooth.

Before bagging up the intake/VAF plug/air box for the night I started it up and it ran......for about 3 seconds then promptly shut off. This was a good thing since the threads Ive read say that is what should happen w the VAF disconnected.

I got the plastic cover off by first cutting the silicone w a utility knife then scraping/prying it out w a small flat screw driver. Not a hard job at all.

Inside I found that by unscrewing the plug screws partially I could pinpoint the loose connections. These are the 3 flat pins in the pictures. One is obscured by the bottom black wire terminal. The pins have some kind of thin flat strips coming off of them and one of mine (middle) seems to be a little twisted. Ill have to carefully twist it back into shape so it doesnt make contact w any of the other connections.

Plastic cover

Cover off

All the **** inside

Hopefully my buddy Pete with his mad soldering skills will be able to put my **** back together.

D

 

[retrofive]

Thanks for the update with pics. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[darwink1]

Yeah I couldnt find a pic on here. Figured may as well post some up so its not a mystery.

D

 

[darwink1]

Well, I messed it up at about 11am and got her goin at 10:15pm. Peetie came over and managed to solder the 3 points back to the circuit board thing. He was like a ninja man.

He did delete the thin little strips that apparently did nothing in order to access the pins..... Otherwise its just like it was before. Hooked everything back up and the van came to life. No hesitation, no prolonged cranking, just fired right up.

Thats a freaking load off of my shoulders. Hope it helps other dumbasses who try to unplug crap they have no business unplugging.

D

 

[retrofive]

to you and your ninja solderer. I soldered a sticky note on mine... "don't touch"

Glad it fired up.

 

[darwink1]

Hahaha

They shouldnt have put screws there man. It makes retards curious and causes all kinds of problems.

Took the van for a short spin this morning and made a couple observations. It seems to idle at a lower rpm on initial start up. It used to idle high for a bit (1000-1200 rpm) then kick down and now it idles at around 800 (although I wasnt in the vehicle when I first started it so it may have been higher). It settled down to about 600 while parked. Gonna have to wait for a colder day to confirm all this as it was kind of cool and damp this morning.

While driving all is normal but when I stop at a stop sign it idles down to 400-500rpm, it used to stay at a solid 600 before. The engine does not hesitate or falter at all and it actually seems to have a little more "pep" on take off.

The things I changed/messed up.

-new oem toy air filter
-cleaned air intke tube
-wrapped more tape on the exterior of the intake tube hopefully sealing things up a little more
-cleaned out the dust trap
-messed up the VAF electrics while doing all this.......
-soldered the damaged VAF plug pins to the board
-used sensor safe silicone to reattach the plastic cover

Guess Im going to have to wait and see if the computer compensates for the changes or whatever after a bit more driving. Hope this fix lasts and I dont have to mess with it anymore.....

Thanks to mike (the po) for stoppin by and thanks to pete for the years of training lol.

D

D

 

[Ebag333]

-wrapped more tape on the exterior of the intake tube hopefully sealing things up a little more

Is your intake tube cracked? If so, you need a new one. Tape will help, but it won't fix the problem.

 

[CPJONES1231]

Is your intake tube cracked? If so, you need a new one. Tape will help, but it won't fix the problem.

Agreed...Its also not much fun pulling out hot melted tape that gets sucked into the manifold.....

 

[darwink1]

In due time. Suspension bushings and window runs are next on the to do list. This tube still works and the po said it just had a couple small cracks if I remember correctly. His tape job has held up and I just reinforced it.

Drove it all day and she idles at 600 when in drive with the brake applied as per usual. Never went below that like earlier today and ran like a champ.

D

 

[Squash]

Dude,
Your tape is high temp silicone should be good for a while...think the idle issue is related to disconnecting the juice and the computer should take over in a few more key cycles.

Glad to hear she fired up for you!
While I'm here...you know those times when you need a second set of hands to start or stop the engine when your head is under the hood!!! Use the remote, if you feel the need to dis-able this feature just plug the wire in on D/S at the hood line.

 

[darwink1]

Used the remote several times man. I just depressed the button under the hood lol.

Just glad everything is back to normal.

Thanks again for stopping by!

D