Thursday, April 29, 2010

AE86 Tech #86-16: Got Fp?


After coming across this problem at the track and I thought I should mention it here just in case someone ever encounters this problem. As of now it's not a common occurrence but as the cars get older it may become an issue.

The problem lies with a ground wire that controls the fuel pump relay. The switch is actually located in the air flow meter.

With the protective cover removed. The contact switch is shown. When air enters, the door opens and makes contact and activates the main relay switch. And when engine is not running, the switch opens and shuts down the pump. It's primitive, yet works so well.

Here's another view of the harness plug. Shown is the 2 pins that connect to the switch. One farthest to the right is ground, the one next to it goes to the main relay.

I'm not sure how but I guess with age and heat the ground wire becomes brittle and just breaks. Leaving an open connection making the car dead in the water due to no fuel.

But don't fret, there is hope for the AE86 driver. Bypassing this system, one can be done with the use of a paper clip, wire, etc. and jump the connection.


On early cars it's the connection near the air flow meter.



On later cars it's in the diagnostic box. It's labeled Fp and B+.

So next time you have a no start situation, and suspect it may be the fuel pump. Now you know how to check for fuel pump operation like a pro.

On a side note, every now and then i notice people don't run the wire clip that attaches to the air flow meter, or in other cases don't completely plug in the harness to the air flow meter. This is big no no cause in track/canyon run it could wiggle itself loose and will cause complete power loss. So if you start to hear clicking from behind the dash on the passenger side, that's your main relay turning on and off your fuel pump, which means the air flow meter plug maybe loosening up or a ground wire to the fuel pump circuit about to give out


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Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Confusion


Received a Mishimoto intercooler for the wagon from hell. I look at the box and I see this. All this time I thought Mishimoto was made in Japan. So when something sounds japanese doesn't mean it's actually from japan. But then again it may be another japanese company that's decided to out source to china cause it's so dang cheap.

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Monday, April 26, 2010

The other side


Finally got around to making passenger side seat brackets for my broke ass car. Now I can share in the excitement. But now i'll need to get belts. Too bad ratchet straps aren't acceptable substitute.

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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Back in...


1968 this car was rolling off the show room floor. I spotted a very clean and what looks to be very original Chevrolet Camaro. At first glance I believe this a 68, but i'm no expert. They should give this guy the medal of honor for actually driving it on crowded L.A. freeway.


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Saturday, April 17, 2010

LED



I really like the LED tail lights from this car. Makes me want a coupe.



He's also really good drifter. BEAMS 3SG rocks.


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Thursday, April 15, 2010

The day after


Since I mope around more than drive, the neighbor invited me to the Slide Assassin's "Day after event". Since I didn't go to Formula D on Saturday, I'll watch drifting here. It was slow and laid back the whole day. But a tad on the chilly side.


The neighbor brought out former 24 hours of Lemons racer turned drift beater out for some fun. He pretty much laid down the law , riding the walls like it was a wave. No one even came close to the stuff this guy was pulling.

Yes he is a Lakers fan.


A nice GTO came out and smacked the wall on it's second run. Much props for bringing out the beast. Hopefully you can buff it right out.


Cyrus M. he's famous in the 951.


Though by the end of the event, the MR2 went for broke. And break it he did.

I missed out on that cause it got too cold and I wasn't prepared for it, so I left early. I really need to get the car up and running so I can run this place. Everyone had just too much fun.

Link to the rest of the pics

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Monday, April 12, 2010

Anniversary time


3 years ago, 5 guys who owned Corollas decided to meet in quiet spot in Alhambra Ca. where coffee is expensive and Subway is always open. Fast forward to now, the area hasn't changed, though it's only been 3 years. But the number of owners have grown. AE86 nights has been the local hangout for the Corolla owners to share stories, conduct business and share their passion for their corollas. So after working the whole day and finishing off my taxes, it was time to drop in on the meet. It's been so long since i've been to a meet.


Here's somebody who always surprises me. Shelby A. has been a corolla guy as long as me. Though he pops up where I least expect it. One of the first guys to rock the real deal J blood aero and actually compete with it back in the day. Definitely gangster, most would have their nuts shrivel up or be cheap like me and buy a cheesy knock off. It's good to see he still owns his corolla.

I was impressed by the amount stuff that was for sale. Alot of good parts were for sale, not alot of the beat up crap. I didn't get any prices so I don't know if it had health care initial d tax added.


But leave the 4AC stuff in the closet.


I was trying to control myself and not buy this stuff.


The big catch of the day was somebody rolling in with a black hatchback for sale. Though it was odd that the guy who drove it in was wearing a racing suit, I couldn't make out the name very well, but I think his name was Hat Strickland.


The event was so popular that even a Professional Bull Rider (PBR) represented. I'm sure he can do a rodeo drift, that will put everyone to shame.


Shirts were selling like hot cakes that people couldn't keep their hands off them. I had to get one for myself before it's all gone. But where's the hatchback?


Advan A3A, used to own a bunch of these years ago.

Being that the car is already 25 years old, probably older than most owners that were present at the meet. Thanks to the guys at AE86 Nights for their dedication and passion for corolla and keeping the spirit for AE86 alive and well.

The rest of the pics are here.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Robotech Live Action



One man's passion to be a Robotech veritech fighter pilot compelled him to make his own short film.

SYNOPSIS: This is a story told by an anonymous Veritech fighter pilot recalling two memories: his first encounter with Miriya, the Zentradi ace pilot, and his first date with a loved one on Earth. As with our own memories, the story is fragmented, and the line between dream and reality is blurred.

I really hope they do get the Robotech live action film off the ground.

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Monday, April 5, 2010

Get things straight


If own Impact racing gear, i'm sure you already know what's already going. But let's clarify things. Not everything is being subjected to SFI foundation's decertification. But most people seem to believe what others spat out without checking. Since I own an Impact helmet I was reading on some sites that helmets were decertified and thinking I was screwed and needed to acquire a new helmet. But going through the SFI website I found out that helmets are not affected. This is due to helmets being regulated by the Snell foundation. Now you know and knowing is half the battle.




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