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Boost gauge not showing boost?

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Old Oct 8, 2017 | 03:40 PM
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Default Boost gauge not showing boost?

I have an AEM 30-4406 boost gauge and I haven't been able to get it to function right in the several months I've had it. I sent it back to AEM a week or so ago and they returned it with a new wiring harness. It never worked at all before I sent it back to them, neither boost or vacuum were showing up....

Now that they sent it back to me with a new wiring harness, it shows vacuum for the first time ever. However, it still isn't showing anything higher than 0, no boost is showing up on the gauge.

I know the turbo is building boost because I can hear the turbine spooling, feel the power, and hear a big "WOOSH!" sound from the BOV when I snap the throttle closed.....

I have the boost sensor installed in a vacuum manifold block, the manifold getting it's source or reference from a T fitting in the brake booster hose. I have 3/4" lines installed for the brake booster and vacuum manifold reference lines at said T fitting.

What am I doing wrong here?
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Old Oct 8, 2017 | 03:47 PM
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Is your vacuum line to the gauge pinched or broken??
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Old Oct 8, 2017 | 04:03 PM
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and when you test it by applying pressure from a known source, does the gauge register this ?
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Old Oct 8, 2017 | 04:17 PM
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Sounds like a faulty gauge if its showing one but not the other. I agree i would apply pressure from an air compressor to it.
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Old Oct 8, 2017 | 04:32 PM
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Thanks guys, I will check for pinches in the reference line going to the manifold where the sensor for the gauge itself is threadded in. Also I'll put some compressed air to the sensor and see what it does.

This gauge might be bad..... Wouldn't suprise me after all the trouble I've had with it. What's the reliability of a mechanical boost gauge overof a digital one like this? Any different?
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Old Oct 8, 2017 | 04:35 PM
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I would be surprised if the unit is faulty.
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Old Oct 8, 2017 | 04:39 PM
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What does the map sensor show in your data log? If it’s not going past 100kpa, then it’s not making boost......
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Old Oct 8, 2017 | 04:42 PM
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Originally Posted by RonSSNova
What does the map sensor show in your data log? If it’s not going past 100kpa, then it’s not making boost......
Assuming it is set up correctly too of course....
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Old Oct 8, 2017 | 05:52 PM
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If he feels/hears the boost I bet he is hitting it. Its kinda noticeable lol.
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Old Oct 9, 2017 | 02:04 AM
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Ok I rerouted and straightened up the 3/4 hose which is my reference line to the vacuum manifold. Also found that the I/C pipe bewteen the turbo compressor an the IC itself had blown off, looks like I made that pipe a bit too short so I welded in an extension, nice and solid clamp now.

I still need to take off the sensor itself and apply a bit of compressed air to it to see what that does but I think the things I mentioned above have fixed it. I used the weakest springs that came with my WGs and so I'm seeing 1 to 2 MAYBE 3 # of boost when I get on it.

Also, I lowered the PE vs TPS enable tables to 30% across the board, made a few other fueling tweaks and WOW!! This turbo really lights off now with some PE coming in much sooner.

The highest KPA I've logged so far is 135 I think, here is my latest tune and log.

Man that 30% TPS vs PE enable change REALLY woke thing thing up! I'm sure having the IC boot blown off didn't help either.... I know the factory tune had PE basically totally disabled with the 5000 RPM minimum RPM, timed delay, 90% TPS across the board...........
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Old Oct 9, 2017 | 06:32 PM
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Might be a stupid question, but is there a check valve in booster hose? I thought the brake booster wasn't supposed to see boost. You might need to move the aem sensor to intake vacuum source. Mines in the back of the blower case and works perfect.
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Old Oct 9, 2017 | 07:32 PM
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Originally Posted by jimmyg
Might be a stupid question, but is there a check valve in booster hose? I thought the brake booster wasn't supposed to see boost. You might need to move the aem sensor to intake vacuum source. Mines in the back of the blower case and works perfect.
well I don't think there's a check valve there, I read about many on this forum using that for a source. I have seen boost as high as 3# as of last night. I have the weak springs in my WGs for right now.
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Old Oct 10, 2017 | 08:30 AM
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Yeah the stock PE is a ******* joke.
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Old Oct 13, 2017 | 12:07 AM
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Yes, the stock PE is... I guess it makes sense for GM, keeping CAFE numbers up and emissions numbers down.

But those stock PE settings are not the best solution for us!!
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Old Oct 13, 2017 | 04:47 AM
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Originally Posted by stevieturbo
I would be surprised if the unit is faulty.
i cant tell you how many bad aem gauges I've seen as far as widebands I've seen. Not many boost gauges but those aren't as common. I'd say it's possible gauges go bad all the time when electronic. It's not hard to check though it take 10 minutes and could save hours of work
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Old Oct 27, 2017 | 02:35 PM
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My boost gauge is still working, shows vacuum as well as boost. I think I've seen boost as high as 6 lbs so far when I stay in it. Usually more like 2-4 PSI though...... I need to swap WG springs when I'm feeling froggy. Honestly, having never had something this fast I'm still adjusting to it! I know this low level of boost is nothing compared to some people but I'm still having way too much fun!
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Old Oct 27, 2017 | 02:42 PM
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Glad to hear your enjoying it. Low boost can be more fun than highboost sometimes because you can drive it harder. Take your time and up the boost as you feel comfortable with it.
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Old Oct 27, 2017 | 05:05 PM
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Originally Posted by ElQueFør
My boost gauge is still working, shows vacuum as well as boost. I think I've seen boost as high as 6 lbs so far when I stay in it. Usually more like 2-4 PSI though...... I need to swap WG springs when I'm feeling froggy. Honestly, having never had something this fast I'm still adjusting to it! I know this low level of boost is nothing compared to some people but I'm still having way too much fun!
Good stuff, bet you were smiling ear to ear when you first laid in to it. Be careful..... boost is very addictive.
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Old Oct 28, 2017 | 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Game ova
Good stuff, bet you were smiling ear to ear when you first laid in to it. Be careful..... boost is very addictive.
Yes it is!

Last edited by RonSSNova; Oct 29, 2017 at 02:11 PM.
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