Fueltech FT550 K20 Crank No Start

Good morning, I hope I’m in the right area.

The engine I’m using is a k20z1. Bone stock.

I’m using a ktuned engine harness with with a ktuned conversion harness for the eg civic.

For the ft550, im running a carrot top harness to adapt the FT to the conversion harness.

Im getting crank but no start. Fuel pressure at 48. I did verify the injectors are getting fuel. I did verify the coils have spark. The engine started with no issues before the swap. It’ll crank and sometimes attempt to start. If it does start, it’ll last for about 4 seconds and die. According to FT my base settings are correct.

Any other recommendations for getting this car started? I purchased a hybrid racing ground kit and installed using their recommendations.

What do the spark plugs look like after a start attempt? If they are wet & fouled -- then try cleaning them with brake cleaner or install new plugs.

Do all the sensors have reasonable readings while cranking? Especially MAP and Air Temp. Has the Throttle Position been calibrated?

Have you tried opening the throttle just a bit (say two turns on the throttle stop)?

Is there a master fuel trim in the FT550 ECU? Can you try 15-20% more fuel to see if that's better.

Are you sure the injectors are what the ECU map is configured to use?

The spark plugs are black after starting attempts. Smells like fuel. They are new plugs too.

The diagnostic alert center on the Fueltech will sometimes read;

“crank trigger error: Gap detected at the wrong spot”

”Crank trigger error: Missed tooth reading”

‘Cam sync error: Noise in the signal”……………..but if it starts for a few seconds, these codes will not be present.

Sensors seem to be fine. All show green on the Fueltech.

I did not even think about the throttle body butterfly opening. It was completely shut, but I adjusted to where it’s slightly open and recalibrated the tps. Still didn’t fix the problem.

On the Fueltech ECU, I put all the stock settings for the injectors.

I did try adjusting the fuel pressure higher and lower. The car did seem to react a little better with the higher fuel pressure. But not enough to keep the car running. I pushed it to almost 75 psi.

Sometimes when cranking, the car will randomly start and the rpm’s will shoot waaay up, to where I have to shut the car off because it’s too high. But after attempting a restart, it just goes back to crank and no start.

If it revs immediately upon starting then there is too much air, so you might close the throttle a bit. But before doing that -- Perhaps the IAC is open / not setup / controlled, or you have a vacuum leak (easy to mis a hose or forget to put a plug on something that isn't used in your car.

The starting / not starting randomly is often a symptom of having the wrong trigger pattern selected. Depending upon which phase of the engine it sees first, it will try to run, vs. trying to run on the wrong phase (so the sparks are 360 degrees out), and it will never run. Sorry I don't know the details of the FuelTech -- but perhaps these clues will give you something to explore.

Might be a bit odd, but have you double checked you have the injector harness hooked up the right way? I was thinking that when it fires up, there was enough fuel remaining in the cylinders to be ignited when the EFR in the cylinder allowed, but when it didn't fire the fuel built up to give a "rich" mixture when it did?

David- The FT gives you the option to bypass the IACV and just use timing and ignition to control the idle. I do have the option of hooking up the factory IACV but I would have to add an extra input. Not a problem, but looks like most people do it through the FT timing route.

Gord- Yessir. I am positive the injector wiring is correct. But makes sense. The symptoms you explained is what I feel is happening.

Is your IACV completely closed off, or just disconnected and might be sitting at an unknown position?

Actually I have a relocation plate hooked up to it. That would make sense if it’s not electronically being used. Maybe I’ll completely block it off and give it a try. Ill keep Y’all updated.