50% engine load @ idle?
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50% engine load @ idle?
I've recently started using AutoTap to harvest PCM data while towing. One parameter reported by the PCM is Engine Load, expressed as a percentage.
What is really strange is that at idle, it reports approx. 50% load!?!?! For comparison a friend of mine has a Chev. 'burnan; using the same software he sees idle numbers around 15%.
The numbers only go up from there. That is, when I put it in gear and start driving the percentages go up from 50%. The only time I see anything below 50% is when I coast down hill - I guess I get a bit of help thru the trans.
Anyone else familiar with this parameter using AutoTap or orther "ScanGuage" type products? Anyone seeing differnt numbers on the V-10?
What is really strange is that at idle, it reports approx. 50% load!?!?! For comparison a friend of mine has a Chev. 'burnan; using the same software he sees idle numbers around 15%.
The numbers only go up from there. That is, when I put it in gear and start driving the percentages go up from 50%. The only time I see anything below 50% is when I coast down hill - I guess I get a bit of help thru the trans.
Anyone else familiar with this parameter using AutoTap or orther "ScanGuage" type products? Anyone seeing differnt numbers on the V-10?
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Originally Posted by emptyd
That would be much appreciated.
I have a recollection of someone else asking the same question I am on this site, but I couldn't find it using search - so any info would be helpful.
I have a recollection of someone else asking the same question I am on this site, but I couldn't find it using search - so any info would be helpful.
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Originally Posted by dkf
If the clutch on the fan is fully locked up, would that even put on 50% load at idle?
The 50% value is counter intuitive - and that is why I'm asking for a large sampling of data thru you all.
This same value has been reported at idle since I first got the software some 4 months ago. The vehicle is in good working order and shows no symptoms of any kind.
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A couple of things...
When I was first working with the Autotap in my '96 t-bird 4.6L, I remember people talking about how the load computation was way off on certain vehicles. I wouldn't assume it's correct or even close.
It's not just a parameter that can be read - Autotap has to compute it somehow, and if one of the parameters it reads is not supported in OBD-I, the computation will be way off.
More on OBD-I vs. OBD-II in these vehicles:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...t-come-on.html
Also, check if you have the latest version of Autotap - and if possible you might try going BACK a few revisions. I have an older version of the converter cable, and it won't work with newer versions of Autotap. When I was trying to get it to work with my V10 (and it did, but showed three O2 sensors which is wrong), the latest version didn't like my '01 V10. But an earlier version did.
When I was first working with the Autotap in my '96 t-bird 4.6L, I remember people talking about how the load computation was way off on certain vehicles. I wouldn't assume it's correct or even close.
It's not just a parameter that can be read - Autotap has to compute it somehow, and if one of the parameters it reads is not supported in OBD-I, the computation will be way off.
More on OBD-I vs. OBD-II in these vehicles:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...t-come-on.html
Also, check if you have the latest version of Autotap - and if possible you might try going BACK a few revisions. I have an older version of the converter cable, and it won't work with newer versions of Autotap. When I was trying to get it to work with my V10 (and it did, but showed three O2 sensors which is wrong), the latest version didn't like my '01 V10. But an earlier version did.
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Art, thanks for the reply. Italked with AutoTap today and they told me that they actually get the "equation" for calculating the engine load from the vehicle manufacturer.
So, Ford and Chev. have obviously done different things. My friends 'burban idles at 15% or so, but downshifts when he reaches 50%. My X idles at 50% and downshifts when it reaches 95% or so.
Just different ways of calculating based on whatever the vehicle manufacturer wanted to do.
So, Ford and Chev. have obviously done different things. My friends 'burban idles at 15% or so, but downshifts when he reaches 50%. My X idles at 50% and downshifts when it reaches 95% or so.
Just different ways of calculating based on whatever the vehicle manufacturer wanted to do.
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