Ford EA Falcon CPI Idle controller

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magnetvox
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Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 12:52 am
Location: Canberra Australia

Ford EA Falcon CPI Idle controller

Post by magnetvox »

Hi gents,

I'm building a megasquirt to control a Ford EA Falcon CPI throttle body (which I'm bolting up to a weber manifold on an old Hillman). Just keen to explore Fuel injection and this is a relatively simply and inexpensive way to go.

My question is:
How does the 4 wire Idle control work on the EA Falcon CPI/CFI? Is it a stepper motor or a solenoid? Has anyone controlled these through megasquirt II (PCB 3), and if so can you tell me how, or at least point me in the right direction?

regards.
long283
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Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:01 pm
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: Ford EA Falcon CPI Idle controller

Post by long283 »

Have a look to see if you can find the idle-air motor, looks a bit like this GM one
Image
(The idle air motor moves the pintle in and out in small steps)
or if you have an idle air solenoid
Image

If it's got 4-wires it should be an idle air motor wire it up as per this link. (don't forget the internal jumpers to connect the IAM outputs)
http://www.megamanual.com/ms2/IAC.htm

If it's a solenoid that would mean doing the modificationfor a PWM idle valve and wiring it up as per the manual. See link below.
http://www.megamanual.com/ms2/IAC.htm#fidle
magnetvox
MegaSquirt Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 12:52 am
Location: Canberra Australia

Re: Ford EA Falcon CPI Idle controller

Post by magnetvox »

I did some more testing and a little research. Those throttle bodies use a dc motor (not stepper or solenoid) which winds in or out depending on polarity. It opens or closes the throttle constantly to adjust idle on EA falcons. No good with MS II from what I can work out.
long283
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Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2006 6:01 pm
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: Ford EA Falcon CPI Idle controller

Post by long283 »

There are a few options then:

1. Can you blank off the idle air an run without it - If the car is only for weekend use you might be able to put up with using a bit of accelerator untill the engine warms up.

2. Adapt a stepper motor or solenoid type idle air control to your manifold/throttlebody - Then use the existing code & mods.

3. Use 1 channel of the stepper motor control (such as 1A, 1B) to control your DC motor - This would require modifying the code a bit to get this to work. Not rcomended for beginners. Have a search of http://www.msruns.com/index.php to see if anyone else has done something similar.
Or ask the question on http://www.msextra.com/forums/viewforum ... 439fe817f7, http://www.msextra.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=4 or http://www.msextra.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=101 to see if anyone there is willing to code it.


My vote would be for modifying your manifold/throttle body to use another idle air motor/solenoid. I'm currently using a GM stepper type idle air motor in a Holley 4-barrel throttle body but the Ford solenoid might be easy if it has hose connections. Just put it inline between a vacuum port and the air-filter.
wagon
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Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2005 4:10 am
Location: Toowoomba, QLD, Australia

Re: Ford EA Falcon CPI Idle controller

Post by wagon »

Those EA CFI idle motors were never the best IMO. I seem to remember them having a pot for feedback of the motor position... A dog, woof. Many old EA Falcons idled badly.

If you want, I can try and dig up some information and fax it to you.
1984 Ford Falcon 250ci inline 6 MS'd of course!

Now improved the way Ford should have built it with a 4speed automatic.

Also with 3.45 LSD for added goodness.

If you are hitting your head up against a wall it always feels better when you stop.
magnetvox
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Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 12:52 am
Location: Canberra Australia

Re: Ford EA Falcon CPI Idle controller

Post by magnetvox »

Thanks guys. All good info.
StephieO
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Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2012 3:31 am

Ford EA Falcon CPI Idle controller

Post by StephieO »

Im currently toying with the idea of ripping out my v6 and fitting the engine and gearbox from a Ford Falcon XR6.
4.0 inline6 they very strong motors but none of the places here in Cape town have motors available. Wanted to know can this work?
wagon
Helpful Squirter
Posts: 92
Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2005 4:10 am
Location: Toowoomba, QLD, Australia

Re: Ford EA Falcon CPI Idle controller

Post by wagon »

It's certainly doable. Is there room?
1984 Ford Falcon 250ci inline 6 MS'd of course!

Now improved the way Ford should have built it with a 4speed automatic.

Also with 3.45 LSD for added goodness.

If you are hitting your head up against a wall it always feels better when you stop.
Stag76
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Posts: 12
Joined: Tue May 09, 2006 4:56 pm
Location: Toowoomba Qld australia

Re: Ford EA Falcon CPI Idle controller

Post by Stag76 »

The Bosch idle valve found on a Hyundai Excel is a good option. The Ford Valve bolts to a plate, while the Bosch has hose fittings.

Image
wagon
Helpful Squirter
Posts: 92
Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2005 4:10 am
Location: Toowoomba, QLD, Australia

Re: Ford EA Falcon CPI Idle controller

Post by wagon »

C'mon, mate, you just wanted to show off that pretty manifold you made. :)

PS. You should come for a drive up the hill soon!
1984 Ford Falcon 250ci inline 6 MS'd of course!

Now improved the way Ford should have built it with a 4speed automatic.

Also with 3.45 LSD for added goodness.

If you are hitting your head up against a wall it always feels better when you stop.
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