Surgical operation for the blue beast...

Great advice as always, mate! Thanks a biggie...

 

Fixed everything up today. Put her down from the stands and took the fuel pump fuse out. Started the engine 2 x 10secs for the fuel and oil to get going. Then put the fuse back in. Started it again twice but there was a small amount of smoke coming from behind the balance pipe on the passenger side. Found those two small black wires (as per photo below) to have short-circuited:










Has it got something to do with the det sensor? That's the only thing I can think of that could have caused such thing to happen. I remember looking at the wiring of that sensor and found that there is only one wire that goes to it. I asked around, did a bit of research and finally decided to come up with a separate wire coming off the connector from the harness to complete the two wires.

Correct or incorrect? Any other analysis/troubleshooting for that matter?



AAA

 

Is there 2 wires being earthed here or 1?? You should have one wire earthed to each side of the rear of the plennum.

So she did fire up?

 

As discussed on the phone:
Check all alternator connections
Ensure all earths are good
Check fusible links in engine bay fuse block.

It looks as though current is shorting to earth, and that is what has killed those wires. I wouldn't be surprised if you are getting charging battery voltage thru those wires 13.8V

 

Those are two wires earthed there which is what the previous setup was as I labelled them. There's another wire behind the plenum which is earthed somewhere.

She did fire up but I had to turn the engine off as I saw that smoke. Spoke to Mitch and we were suspecting a few things but I think it's because I didn't use the same two bolts on the gearbox where the negative cable bolts on to. Instead of using the 12 o'clock and 10 o'clock (sorry, that's how I can visually describe them! LOL) bolts, I used the 8 o'clock and seven o'clock bolts. I don't think I'm grounding it properly...



AAA

 

Hey man sorry didn't realise you called me earlier on, give me a buzz if you need to.

Not sure how good you extended them but sounds like that causing your problems.

 

I think I might have the solution as per photo below:









Instead of grounding them on those two green encircled bolts, I grounded them on the red ones. They weren't done properly as those two bolts (in red) aren't bolted directly onto the block as opposed to the green ones.

Correct or incorrect?




AAA

 

Spoke to rob260. Will definitely find a way to relocate those two grounds onto the block. But if I won't be able to access the top gearbox bolts, where can I ground them? Does it have to be grounded onto the block AND the gearbox at the same time?

PS Thanks Rob for you advice...


AAA

 

You got the earth to the back of the passenger side head too? Doesn't matter which gearbox bolt you use to earth it, but if you use the wrong one you can't attach the earth to the head too.

 

Sorry, which head are you referring to Chris?

 

Can someone kindly confirm if those bolts encircled in green are where the
ground should be bolted onto? And also, what other areas/bolts can they be relocated that xan easily be accesses with the gearbox already in place under the car?


AAA

 

Sorry, I think one of the bolts should be the topmost one on passenger side. Correct me if I'm wrong...


AAA

 

It's an earth strap mate, like i suggested, test that the gearbox is in fact electrically earthed to the block with your multimeter. I would be really surprised if it doesn't have an adequate earth. Worst case might be that you would have to remove a earth point, sand the eyeles and gearbox to polish it up and improve electrical connection, and run an earth strap from the bellhousing bolts to the block. You know that 'earthing kits' are also available, right?
Personally, I think you need to form a hypothesis, test it and rule things out.

1) have you checked the earth strap to the head? Vehicle electronics is Rob260's bread and butter... listen to him. Ensure that all earths are present. This includes the block, head, plenum, chassis and gearbox.
2) Check, double check, and triple check your alternator / charging system.
3)check your fusible links to see if any of these are busted. These can tell you what has shorted, and show you where to troubleshoot
4)start a thread in the Z-R tech section. A lot of tech-heads don't look here
5) Last resort, is to call in a professional. Mobile auto electricians would be able to help you sort the problem effectively, and may help get you back on the road FAST.

 

Top green one for earth, then the bolt on the head in that picture directly above your EGR bung.

 

Thanks for the info, Chris and Mitch.

Hey Chris, can you kindly PM me your contact number please? Will try to ring you shortly...


AAA

 

Was able to access that upper passenger gearbox bolt to hook up the ground. The other one goes straight to the smaller bolt on the head (whew, thanks Chrispy for clearing out what that "head" is).

Reconnected everything and tried starting the car. No more shortcircuiting and no more smoking cables, thank God! Engine turns but doesn't wanna go all the way. Checked all the fuses and other connections and they're all okay. When I had to turn the ignition off, the instrument gauge lights and the stereo remains on... WTF!

Diagnosis please...




AAA

 

Sounds like a fuse has blown someone will definitely be able to tell you.

 

Thanks Matt.

Anyone here available tomorrow or on Saturday to have a look at the car and help me sort the problem out?!



AAA

 

I've been thinking about this more since we talked last night.

Check all of your fuses and fuseable links.

Also check your error codes. With those earths on the plenum potentially burnt out it may have killed your PTU (even if it's a S2).

 

Thanks Chris. I'll get into that this afternoon once I finish with all my patients. I'll keep this thread updated once I sorted out what the problem is. Will be helpful for other forum members in case they stumble upon the same issues...


AAA