First time driving the car since the new trans. Ive got no boost, maybe 2psi.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqbzj8HoucM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7_svhw6pd4

I'm pretty sure that I put the vaccum system back together right. The vaccum line that runs to the trans has a funny looking t on it with nothing connected to the other end. is that right?

Quote from: Jonpro03 on May 26, 2009, 07:20:51 PM
The vaccum line that runs to the trans has a funny looking t on it with nothing connected to the other end. is that right?

Yes that is correct. How do you have the vaccum lines hooked up to the wastegate?

From the turbo to the right side of the boost controller and the left side to the wastegate

where is the evap canister line supposed to connect to.  If i screwed something up it would be the vac lines in the back of the engine

Be sure your check valve is on correctly on your trans:


Also, check all your vacuum line connections:

Thanks Nick,
I got the trans right

Ill check everything else out tomorrow and let ya know.

The pcm controls the boost controller right. I don't have the oil pressure sending unit hooked up as you can tell from the gauge. Would the pcm cut my boost back as a result.

Where the heck is the sending unit!

Also, I think there is some other problem with the engine. When driving at about 15mph in first, power fluctuates badly.

One more question before my wife kills me for not going to bed.

How do I know if my boost gauge is accurate. Is it normal to be at -12psi at idle?

Quote from: Jonpro03 on May 26, 2009, 10:11:33 PM
One more question before my wife kills me for not going to bed.

How do I know if my boost gauge is accurate. Is it normal to be at -12psi at idle?

It's normal to be in the negatives(vacuum) at idle and during non-boost situations. To me, it looked like you had no boost in those videos. The stock gauge is really inaccurate. Check over the couplers from the turbo to intercooler tubing, and from the intercooler to throttle body to see if one of them has slipped off. When they have oil on them, it's not hard for them to come off especially at the turbo outlet to intercooler inlet charge pipe.

Quote from: Jonpro03 on May 26, 2009, 10:09:30 PM
Thanks Nick

The pcm controls the boost controller right. I don't have the oil pressure sending unit hooked up as you can tell from the gauge. Would the pcm cut my boost back as a result.

Where the heck is the sending unit!

No problem. ;)

The sending unit is right by your oil cooler and oil filter.

Nick, maybe I'm missing something, but when I looked at your picture and your drawing, it doesn't seem consistent.  In your drawing you have the check valve going one way and in your picture its going another.  I thought it was supposed to be the way you drew it.  That way the check valve protects the modulator, or am I missing something?

Ok. Still trying to diagnose as nothing has worked so far. When I was tightening clamps the other day, I shorted out on the starter.
Got up and disconnected the battery and finished working. After reconnecting the battery, The car didn't start. I checked the fuses and found one for ignition had blown. Then I started the car and it hasn't run right since.
I also noticed that my brake lights no longer work. The parking lights do but not brake.

Would this short cause the car to run like cr@p?
How do I fix my tail lights?

Quote from: Dark Ride on May 27, 2009, 07:40:55 AM
Nick, maybe I'm missing something, but when I looked at your picture and your drawing, it doesn't seem consistent.  In your drawing you have the check valve going one way and in your picture its going another.  I thought it was supposed to be the way you drew it.  That way the check valve protects the modulator, or am I missing something?

Yes, I did edit the drawing, but I can't find my edited one anywhere... That drawing has the incorrectly installed check valve, which is why I posted a picture of it correctly installed.

In my never-ending quest to get my car running right... I have failed yet again :icon_mad:

Today I installed a new oil pressure sending unit and changed the plugs and wires. Checked all of the vaccum lines except for the ones under the uim.  Still the same problem... No boost. All of the boost tube is secured. 

Is there a way that I can temporarily disable the wastegate and force the turbo to make boost without blowing it up?
Is the problem with the crossover pipe? Will I hear an exhaust leak if its installed incorrectly?
Did the short on the starter frag a fuel injector?
How can I check my vacuum lines under the uim without removing it?
How do I fix my brake lights?


PLEASE HELP! :icon_cry:

Quote from: Jonpro03 on May 27, 2009, 09:25:31 PM
In my never-ending quest to get my car running right... I have failed yet again :icon_mad:

Today I installed a new oil pressure sending unit and changed the plugs and wires. Checked all of the vaccum lines except for the ones under the uim.  Still the same problem... No boost. All of the boost tube is secured. 

Is there a way that I can temporarily disable the wastegate and force the turbo to make boost without blowing it up?
Is the problem with the crossover pipe? Will I hear an exhaust leak if its installed incorrectly?
Did the short on the starter frag a fuel injector?
How can I check my vacuum lines under the uim without removing it?
How do I fix my brake lights?


PLEASE HELP! :icon_cry:

Yes you can temporarily unhook the wastegate to check that, dont do it a lot but just to find out if thats your problem, its a yes or no situation so you shouldnt have it unhooked long anyway. Get an aftermarket boost guage so you know exactly how much boost your making... or not.   Your question about the vacuum lines... if its a 1990, the pcv line goes to the UIM, they are almost always cracked/dryrotted. If you've never removed the intake to check them, i would do that anyway.  also how does the motor feel in park  or cruising? any misses?

I wouldn't say that its missing... It's just running terrible. When I fired it up for the first time it started right away! Now it cranks and cranks, occasionally it won't start. When idling, rpms jump a little. If you give it a tiny bit of gas, rpms will climb and then fall without moving the throttle. When cruising you can feel the power coming in and out.