AFD ProFlex E85 Commander Journey w/ GT350

[mmakam2]

This does not bode well for AFD, sounds like a bad batch of units.

For the guys that don't have codes yet, I would suggest some type of logging device, there are cheap bluetooth obd readers you can get to at least look at your short and long term fuel trims in realtime.

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[mmakam2]

Yeah you may be right. I might have a bum AFD box and finally the pcm said screw it. I'm still wondering how the oxygen sensors aren't popped every time using e85 in a car that's meant to use 15 max...

The stock PCM adjust fuel up to 30% over normal, and don't pop codes unless they go over 25%.

With my car, its allowing up to around E30-40 without throwing any codes, but even at E70, it took 2 days of driving to throw the code because it needs to fall out of range multiple times before the light comes on. Some code readers will show you "Pending" codes, which should be available the first time the trims fall out of range.

 

[Mjc1241]

Going to use my scanner to check to see if I have any pending codes even if there is no light. Curious now with the issues that your guys are having. Also about to order a Blue Tooth logging device to check fuel trims. Great information in this thread.

 

[JAJ]

Yeah you may be right. I might have a bum AFD box and finally the pcm said screw it. I'm still wondering how the oxygen sensors aren't popped every time using e85 in a car that's meant to use 15 max...

As I understand it, AFD has made these devices successfully for a while now, so for them to have a bad batch is super annoying but it's not fatal. Smaller companies can have these kind of problems occasionally. Presumably, if this is what's happening, they'll replace them and all will be well. To be clear, I like this kind of small specialty manufacturer because they make the stuff the big guys don't. My DSC suspension controller, my carbon-ceramic brakes and the tools I used for setting up my infotainment system all came from small manufacturers. My personal belief is that if of these small enterprises messes up, we should cut them a little slack and give them time to make it right. I've done that a few times over the years and I've never been let down.

If your AFD gizmo isn't working, the cold-starting and low RPM lag was possibly caused by the ECU having a WTF moment when it encountered E65 in the fueling system. It had some adjusting to do in a hurry, and while it was doing it, things might have been a bit off normal.

As for the O2 sensors, they're fine. The ECU was hustling to get enough fuel through the cylinders to avoid a lean condition, so the fuel trims - short and long - were doing their job and you were getting a lambda in-range for the wideband. All is well.

 

[mmakam2]

As I understand it, AFD has made these devices successfully for a while now, so for them to have a bad batch is super annoying but it's not fatal. Smaller companies can have these kind of problems occasionally. Presumably, if this is what's happening, they'll replace them and all will be well. To be clear, I like this kind of small specialty manufacturer because they make the stuff the big guys don't. My DSC suspension controller, my carbon-ceramic brakes and the tools I used for setting up my infotainment system all came from small manufacturers. My personal belief is that when one of these little guys messes up, we should cut them a little slack and support them.

If your AFD gizmo isn't working, the cold-starting and low RPM lag was possibly caused by the ECU having a WTF moment when it encountered E65 in the fueling system. It had some adjusting to do in a hurry, and while it was doing it, things might have been a bit off normal.

As for the O2 sensors, they're fine. The ECU was hustling to get enough fuel through the cylinders to avoid a lean condition, so the fuel trims - short and long - were doing their job and you were getting a lambda in-range for the wideband. All is well.

Going back to the beginning of this thread, it makes total sense now the symptoms I was experiencing with low rpm, off idle, and transient throttle lag.

I am amazed at how well Ford's PCM does at correcting for "bad" fuel, things have come a long way. Those widebands make all the difference.

Regarding AFD, I really hope everything gets sorted, it really is an innovative product. Yes there are other flex fuel conversion kits out there, but AFD has taken the time to dyno each car to ensure compatibility and injector flow rates for example, and provide a custom harness. In theory all is well, and a new brain box will have me sorted.

 

[lightrules]

@mmakam2 , is gray @ AFD sending you another commander unit? he hasnt replied to my recent emails, so i am still waiting. not happy with the lag in response. was getting fast responses before purchasing it.

 

[rag11]

@mmakam2 , is gray @ AFD sending you another commander unit? he hasnt replied to my recent emails, so i am still waiting. not happy with the lag in response. was getting fast responses before purchasing it.

Im going to drive it around a but more today and see if it clears....I rechecked all connections and reconnected the box, everything is in proper conditions. Gonna see if the code clears and if not I'll refuel with 91 and see if that solves it. If it does I'll be requesting a new commander and go from there. I'll post the code diags tomorrow.

 

[mmakam2]

Im going to drive it around a but more today and see if it clears....I rechecked all connections and reconnected the box, everything is in proper conditions. Gonna see if the code clears and if not I'll refuel with 91 and see if that solves it. If it does I'll be requesting a new commander and go from there. I'll post the code diags tomorrow.

Your wasting time without checking the code. Codes don't just clear themselves that fast. It can take 40 warm up cycles sometimes.

 

[mmakam2]

@mmakam2 , is gray @ AFD sending you another commander unit? he hasnt replied to my recent emails, so i am still waiting. not happy with the lag in response. was getting fast responses before purchasing it.

Yes they are sending a replacement. Try calling them.

Also backfiring is not much information for them to go on. If you want help you'll need to provide some data. whether it's codes or results of logs or if it's missing.

 

[mmakam2]

Im going to drive it around a but more today and see if it clears....I rechecked all connections and reconnected the box, everything is in proper conditions. Gonna see if the code clears and if not I'll refuel with 91 and see if that solves it. If it does I'll be requesting a new commander and go from there. I'll post the code diags tomorrow.

if you don't have a scanner drive to a autozone or oriellys and have them scan it.

 

[rag11]

if you don't have a scanner drive to a autozone or oriellys and have them scan it.

My bluetooth one that's been sitting around 3 yrs isnt working right so I ordered one that gets here tomorrow. Since the code popped on the freeway I'm guessing its just an emissions issue. I'm just gonna fill up with 91. I know it's nothing serious or catastrophic. I'll read it tomorrow.

 

[mmakam2]

@mmakam2 , is gray @ AFD sending you another commander unit? he hasnt replied to my recent emails, so i am still waiting. not happy with the lag in response. was getting fast responses before purchasing it.

I also suggest disconnecting the commander to see if anything changes in how it runs. If nothing changes, then we know the proflex is not doing anything. You will most likely also throw a code after disconnecting it, so be ready to clear it. Any auto parts store should be able to clear it for you.

 

[mmakam2]

My bluetooth one that's been sitting around 3 yrs isnt working right so I ordered one that gets here tomorrow. Since the code popped on the freeway I'm guessing its just an emissions issue. I'm just gonna fill up with 91. I know it's nothing serious or catastrophic. I'll read it tomorrow.

That makes no difference where it came on, my light came on while cruising, almost certainly your light has nothing to do with emissions. Not sure where you are even getting that theory from.

But its your car, you can do what you want.

 

[rag11]

That makes no difference where it came on, my light came on while cruising, almost certainly your light has nothing to do with emissions. Not sure where you are even getting that theory from.

But its your car, you can do what you want.

Well the systems that are causing the light are all emissions related systems.....there's no knocking, no unusual vibrations, no weird sounds, no backfiring, no performance loss that I can detect, so it's almost surely part of the emissions side of the house (O2, Cats etc). My guess is it's a faulty AFD system, it's too much with 65% ethanol, so Im going to dilute it down to around 30 with 91 and check it tomorrow. Unless you can think of something catastrophic that will happen in that scenario that I'm not thinking of? I've driven the car 13k miles in 9 months and this pops a half a tank after installation of the system so it's obviously just the fuel and not some other random engine problem. That's my opinion anyway.

 

[mmakam2]

If you consider O2 emissions control, then i guess yea its emissions, your probably running lean.

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