Kpro Issue

[Drunken Yak inc]

KPro Serial # 10477
ECU Part # 37820-PNF-A12
ECU Serial # 214291-4211
KManager Ver. 3.2.4
KPro was purchased in a Jackson Racing Supercharger-Race package, through ShowStoppers USA in January 2012.
Car: 2004 Honda Civic Si
Mods that could affect ECU: None that I'm aware of.
KPro was installed by me in February of 2012, with approximately 5,000 miles since installation.

The problem with my unit is that the KPro will stop working intermittently. When this happens, the check engine light comes on, the car enters limp home mode and none of the KPro's diagnostic lights are on. This issue has happened three times in the last week, each time has been after parking the car after a 20-30 minute casual drive, and each time the problem has gone away after the battery has been disconnected for a period of time. During the problem, an OBDII code scanner reads no error codes despite the check engine light being on, and Kmanager cannot connect to the Kpro. A day prior to the first error, I had connected the laptop to datalog and had no issues. The first time it happened, I assumed it was the result of leaving the USB plugged into the top of the KPro. However, the Kpro or USB cord wasn't touched and the car worked flawlessly up until I parked for a few hours. The car will run great for a few days between episodes. I also want to note that when I went to remove the ECU from the car, the ECU was warm to the touch. I used an infrared temp gun about three minutes after shutting off the vehicle and the surface temp was still in the 120's

When KPro is non-functional, the car and all of her systems still function properly, except for the 4,000rpm limit.

Thanks for your help,

Brian

[Spunkster]

It sounds like you may be getting a daughter board communication error due to low batter voltage when cranking. THe other possibility is that you have a intermittent short of faulty ground. It coudl even be a faulty main relay.

[Drunken Yak inc]

Thanks for the quick response, I'll start with a new battery and a main relay and see if that solves it.

[Drunken Yak inc]

Okay, so far I've:
1. Re-checked my grounds, also took the opportunity to clean the tabs and bolts with a wire brush just for good measure.
2. Replaced the battery with an Exide FP-AGM51R battery.
3. Replaced both PGM-FI Relays.

And nothings helped. I did a little test a few minutes ago, which involved driving the car for about 6 miles or so. When I arrived at the turn around point, I checked for the diagnostic lights while the car was running to discover that neither the red light or green light was on, yet the car was running perfectly and there was no check engine light. I drove home, pulled in the garage and checked the Kpro again. Still no diagnostics lights. I shut off the car, waited about five seconds and started the car again. the unreadable check engine light instantly came on and the car was in limp home mode.

I've also noticed a few things:
1. I don't need to pull the battery or fuse for the Kpro to work again, I normally just let the car sit in the garage for an hour or so and then everything will work fine. However, if I just remove the power cable for literally just a second or two and reconnect it the problem goes away. The unreadable check engine light will still be on, but the car will run normally
2. Parking the car outside during the day seems to cause the KPro to have this issue also, but not always. Could be dependent on the Temperature/Sun exposure? Earlier today, I had the car sit outside for about 40 minutes while idling, yet that didn't cause the issue to arise.
3. One time while I was having an issue, I ran the A/C (fan on full, set to the footwell setting) for about twenty minutes, turned off the car and immediately turned it back on - The KPro diagnostic lights were on and the car was running normally.

Any other suggestions?

[Spunkster]

Take the lid off the ECU and make sure that the K-Pro board is secure and that it has no loose or broken pins. Remove the 2 screws holding the K-Pro in to check this.

[Drunken Yak inc]

Take the lid off the ECU and make sure that the K-PRo board is secure and that it has not loose or broken pins. Remove the 2 screws holding the K-Pro in to check this.

Just finished, board was secure, pins are all straight and accounted for, solder joints look good and none of the circuit strips are damaged.

[Spunkster]

Can you try this in a different vehicle?

[Drunken Yak inc]

Can you try this in a different vehicle?

Unfortunately no, I don't know anyone local that has the same car, or even an RSX.

[Spunkster]

You may want to try the forums and see if there is someone local you can meet up with to try your ECU in their vehicle. This will help you determine if it is the ECU or the vehcle and save you a lot if headaches and costs.

[Drunken Yak inc]

You may want to try the forums and see if there is someone local you can meet up with to try your ECU in their vehicle. This will help you determine if it is the ECU or the vehcle and save you a lot if headaches and costs.

I've been on the EP forums for a few years. There was one member who was local, he has since relocated. The biggest issue with finding someone to allow me to test my ECU, is that the failure isn't instantaneous. It could take 5 minutes for it to go wrong, or it could take 3 days. Which means I would have to give a stranger my ECU and trust that they would bring it back... That's not something I'm comfortable with.

I've already spent just about $300 and about 10-15 hours of my time trying to solve this issue. I'm not trying to be rude, but at this point I don't care if I have to spend more money to have you guys test/repair it.

[Spunkster]

Send an email to support <at> hondata.com with the following and I will issue an RMA and give you further
instructions (include a link to this thread):

Name:
Address:
Phone:
Email:
Serial#:
Description of Problem:

[Drunken Yak inc]

Email sent.

Thanks for your help.

[kmvguy83]

was this issue ever addressed?

I'm actually having a same issue....

please help