Aem water injection issues.

[the4x4pig]

I just bought this turbo charged 06 solstice. The turbo and all the goodys including the AEM w/i kit were installed professionally by Performance Autowerks in Illinois. I live in Washington state.

On the drive home I realized that the water controller (progressive AEM) was turning on the water at 1psi. I wanted it to turn on at 4-5 psi. I turned the little switch slightly to the right and then the injection did not work at all. I turn it all the way back to the left and it turns on the water injection and floods my intercooler with water with just the key on, no boost. I disconnect the water line to the jet so I can play with it without hydro locking my motor. Turn the dial all the way to the left and the green light turns on and the pump pumps. I have to move it all the way to 6 psi before it will turn off the pump. It then will not work at all under boost.

The weird thing is that this is all I touched. Did not mess with the wiring or anything. AEM tech guy says that the controller sounds bad and wants me to send it to them to test. I just dont see how it went bad by me turning the dial. Anybody have this happen to them?

[madmods]

You got a bad controller. It should function depending on boost. I would leave it at starting at 3 lbs of boost.

[sky888]

Originally Posted by the4x4pig I just bought this turbo charged 06 solstice. The turbo and all the goodys including the AEM w/i kit were installed professionally by Performance Autowerks in Illinois. I live in Washington state. On the drive home I realized that the water controller (progressive AEM) was turning on the water at 1psi. I wanted it to turn on at 4-5 psi. I turned the little switch slightly to the right and then the injection did not work at all. I turn it all the way back to the left and it turns on the water injection and floods my intercooler with water with just the key on, no boost. I disconnect the water line to the jet so I can play with it without hydro locking my motor. Turn the dial all the way to the left and the green light turns on and the pump pumps. I have to move it all the way to 6 psi before it will turn off the pump. It then will not work at all under boost. The weird thing is that this is all I touched. Did not mess with the wiring or anything. AEM tech guy says that the controller sounds bad and wants me to send it to them to test. I just dont see how it went bad by me turning the dial. Anybody have this happen to them?

make sure that the controller is away from heat. Most of these controllers hate heat.......and starts to crap out due to heat.


My AEM controller....starts spraying at 10 psi....and progressively spray til I get into full boost.

my controller is still good....but early this year, my pump started not working....and AEM replaced it with a new one.

anyways, AEM is a good company and will fix/replace your controller when you send it to them...as long as you have receipt when your purchase that item.

good luck.

[the4x4pig]

I do not have the receipt, only a receipt that Werks gave me from when it was installed. The prev owner supplied the kit. AEM wants $35 to test it and $95 to replace it if bad. If they do not warranty it I will probably use someone elses controller.

[sky888]

have you press on the "test" button..and see if it works?

does the controller or your LED light flash green on its own? or doesn the controller's error led light on?

these kits are sometimes very finicky. One time I had the low fluid sensor not on the proper spot...........i think it was upside down....and that made the whole kit not working at all. The kit thinks that I ran out of water/meth. It's AEM's way to protect your engine.

anyways, you can diagnose your kit and see, what else is not working properly.

but just in case, you can borrow somebody else's controller...and hook it up to your car.....and see if thats the problem.

good luck

[the4x4pig]

The test button worked properly. Ran for about 6 sec while ramping up the pressure. Green light turns on when it is pumping.

The weird thing is this controller worked for the 1st 2000 miles I drove the car. I then turned the dial a little clockwise and now it has gone haywire. If I turn it to the left it turns the pump on at anything less than the 6psi mark (under no boost). Dial turned to 6psi and above it just does not work. It already flooded my motor out once. I really don't want to risk hydro locking my motor. The aem tech guy had me go through some diagnostics but it appeared that I knew more about the unit than he did.

I wish I could get a hold of the prev owner of the car to get a receipt for the unit.
If AEM will warranty the unit I will give it another try but if they do not I might go with Snow performance.

[sky888]

Originally Posted by the4x4pig The test button worked properly. Ran for about 6 sec while ramping up the pressure. Green light turns on when it is pumping. The weird thing is this controller worked for the 1st 2000 miles I drove the car. I then turned the dial a little clockwise and now it has gone haywire. If I turn it to the left it turns the pump on at anything less than the 6psi mark (under no boost). Dial turned to 6psi and above it just does not work. It already flooded my motor out once. I really don't want to risk hydro locking my motor. The aem tech guy had me go through some diagnostics but it appeared that I knew more about the unit than he did. I wish I could get a hold of the prev owner of the car to get a receipt for the unit. If AEM will warranty the unit I will give it another try but if they do not I might go with Snow performance.

Just pay for a new $95 progressive controller from AEM. That's the cheapest route.

if you go w/ Snow, Devil's own, or other name brands.........you'll pay lots of money for a progressive controller.

but if those other brands will sell you a cheaper controller..go for them.

good luck..

[the4x4pig]

Actually it is $35 for them to test it and $95 for a replacement which is $130 plus shipping. For $167 delivered I can get this (ebay).

Snow Performance 60090 - Snow Performance Variable Boost Controllers

Cheap is not really a factor. Though I am not made of money I have built enough hotrods to realize the importance of quality and reliability. For me I would rather pay a little more and get a product that I feel is well made.

I understand that you are sponsored by AEM and you are happy with their product. I also appreciate your help on the matter. We will see what AEM has to say about it tomorrow.

[sky888]

Originally Posted by the4x4pig Actually it is $35 for them to test it and $95 for a replacement which is $130 plus shipping. For $167 delivered I can get this (ebay). .

do you have to have them test it?


I was wondering if you can just go ahead and have them replace it for just $95. No more testing involved..so you save money.

good luck.

[turbochargedsol]

I guess you get what you pay for. My AEM system failed and I just upgraded to Snow Performance. It seems like a much higher quality kit.

[the4x4pig]

Originally Posted by turbochargedsol I guess you get what you pay for. My AEM system failed and I just upgraded to Snow Performance. It seems like a much higher quality kit.

All I have seen is pictures of the Snow set up but I have to agree. I will talk to AEM tomorrow and see what they say. I am not against running it, I just don't want to have these issues again.

[the4x4pig]

Well they said that the controller is too old based on the serial number. They want $35 to test it and $95 for a replacement. They said the testing fee is mandatory even if I do not want it tested, so $130 is the price before shipping. I am going to try the Snow performance controller out.