PCM Diagnostics & Tuning HP Tuners | Holley | Diablo

Computer cutting out on hard launch

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 20, 2010 | 06:39 PM
  #1  
Gauge's Avatar
Thread Starter
11Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
From: Dallas (Richardson), TX, USA
Default Computer cutting out on hard launch

Hey all,

After I put the Procharger on my car, the first couple trips to the track were good, except for the last run of the second trip in which the computer cut out on me twice in first gear. The car lost power, and the dash lit up like a Christmas tree, but it quickly came back and I was under power again.

Today, I took the car out to the track again, and it did this every run, but it only cut out once, not twice. Basically, I'd start slipping the clutch keeping the RPMs up, but as soon as the car seemed to reach a certain amount of acceleration, it fell on its face, the clutch suddenly bit, the dash lit up, and the gauges dropped to zero. This happened for just a split second, and then I was left to chase after whomever I was racing.

My question to you is this... is there any way that this could be a computer logic issue rather than an electrical problem (like a bad ground or whatever)? Is there some threshhold for some value that could be set that might cause the computer to just kill itself? Or, am I looking at an electrical gremlin?


Thanks in advance. Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2010 | 06:58 PM
  #2  
O2Form's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 992
Likes: 1
Default

Sounds like the battery is bad, could short out or go open under hard accelleration.
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2010 | 07:11 PM
  #3  
Gauge's Avatar
Thread Starter
11Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
From: Dallas (Richardson), TX, USA
Default

When I originally had the problem, it was an old battery with a corroded positive cable. I now have a new battery (2 weeks old) and brand new positive cable. I have dielectric grease on the terminals, too.

Could it be the alternator? Perhaps my voltage is dropping too much?

BTW, the car doesn't lose the tune or memory or whatever you call it like when you disconnect the battery. It continues to run normally.
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2010 | 07:14 PM
  #4  
slow's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,150
Likes: 7
From: Orlando
Default

as odd as it sounds, how secure is your battery, I've seen cars leave hard, and the + terminal of the battery grounds out on the chassis for a second causing similar issues and then everything goes back to normal once the battery falls back into position. The front mount for the battery on the f-cars sucks and breaks often. A good launch at your power level could be causing this.

Ryan
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2010 | 08:33 PM
  #5  
Gauge's Avatar
Thread Starter
11Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
From: Dallas (Richardson), TX, USA
Default

Wow. Good call. Mine is broken. I'll check for burn marks. Even if that isn't the solution, great idea.
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2010 | 08:44 PM
  #6  
beedo's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (28)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 346
Likes: 2
From: Mansfield, TX
Default

Check the grounds at the back of the head, I had the EXACT samr thing happen to me and one of the grounds were broken. I caould drive all day normal but as soon as I would go wot and get into it the car would shut completely doen, gauges would cycle, and the trip would reset. Felt like car tured completely off. Hope it helps man cause it fought me for a few days
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2010 | 08:51 PM
  #7  
Gauge's Avatar
Thread Starter
11Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
From: Dallas (Richardson), TX, USA
Default

You're a genius. That battery cable is brand new, and you can clearly see where it has been burned arcing against the A/C drier.

Thanks, guys. Now to find the part number for that thing.
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2010 | 09:49 PM
  #8  
2xLS1's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,649
Likes: 9
From: Warr Acres, OK
Default

Is there no tech inspection at your track?
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 20, 2010 | 10:43 PM
  #9  
Gauge's Avatar
Thread Starter
11Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 0
From: Dallas (Richardson), TX, USA
Default

I've been to maybe 7 different tracks in my life, and I've never once had someone grab the battery and try to move it. The front lip of the battery mount isn't easily inspected when the battery is in place, so it's not readily apparent from a visual inspection either.
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 08:48 AM
  #10  
DrkPhx's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,519
Likes: 0
From: St. Michael, MN.
Default

Originally Posted by slow
as odd as it sounds, how secure is your battery, I've seen cars leave hard, and the + terminal of the battery grounds out on the chassis for a second causing similar issues and then everything goes back to normal once the battery falls back into position. The front mount for the battery on the f-cars sucks and breaks often. A good launch at your power level could be causing this.

Ryan
It sure sounds like the same issue. I had the same problem and it only happened at the track on launch. The battery will flip toward the strut tower and the battery posts will touch either the tower or the AC causing arcing. I bought a Year One battery strap, removed the flimsy stock bolt, drilled out the hole and put in a grade 8 bolt with a lock nut w/nylon insert. It's now completely secured to the chassis with no more problems.
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 08:52 AM
  #11  
DrkPhx's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,519
Likes: 0
From: St. Michael, MN.
Default

Originally Posted by Gauge
I've been to maybe 7 different tracks in my life, and I've never once had someone grab the battery and try to move it. The front lip of the battery mount isn't easily inspected when the battery is in place, so it's not readily apparent from a visual inspection either.
Wow, even the "outlaw" tracks I visit check for a secure battery regardless of location.
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2010 | 12:34 PM
  #12  
slow's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,150
Likes: 7
From: Orlando
Default

Glad that helped

Ryan
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2010 | 07:12 PM
  #13  
bigpat501's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: houston TX
Default

i need to get one as well i found them here
http://www.partstaxi.com/partlocator...layCatalogid=0
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:41 PM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE