94protolx

hey proto lovers...

I need help ~ BAD

I pulled out the cable to my air flow meter and it got messed up..I pulled off the plastic cover to get the wires hooked back up but now, the car is running extremly rich,and my check engine light is on and it is not really driveable, I mean it runs, but not like it did-- before it ran perfect no problems I was told that I shorted out my meter but I dont know about that one...I can get a refurb for 100 bucks but I Dont want to till I know thats it...has anyone else had any probs with this...I know you proto lovers got some kind of info that can help me....

beachnut

$100? Geez ... I've got one I'll sell you - how's $20 sound?

94protolx

well its sounds great but its not the money that I am really worried about a buddy of mine might give his from his rx7 but I am just curious is this could have triggerd/shorted something in the meter!!!

Maz94Protege

Ive heard the RX7 VAF's dont always run right on the protege. I thought they were the same, just the RX7's was bigger.... hmm....

But did u pull a wire from the VAF harness that clips onto the VAF or did u take the VAF apart for somereason and broke a wire inside of it?

94protolx

no i was putting on a cone filter, and like a dumass I unscrewed the to lil screws and the wires came undone, but I have found a diagram and placed evrything the way it should be....but it is still running like dookie...im not sure if it got shorted, needsd to be adjusted...I have disconnected the battery to see if that did anything and no it didnt...so I am not sure what else to do

protejay

some guy on the miataforum did the same thing. he re-soldered the connections and got it running fine again....
i'd just use it as a good oppurtunity to swap in the rx7 vaf. no really good reason to try and fix the stock meter.

94protolx

I know but basically I just wanted to know if there is any ajuststemnts that could be made.....to fix it back to normal, the thing is that I would have to drive to get the one from the rx7 and I cant drive my pro now

protejay

i dunno if this will work - since it sounds like other things are causing the problem - but you could *try* adjusting the 'wheel' inside the vaf a few clicks to change the fuel mixture. that's basically what you do to tune the rx7 vaf. be careful though as adjusting it too much may lean it out more than you need - resulting in pinging and maybe MAJOR engine damage.
if you try it i'd mark where its set right now and just go one tooth at a time....
check out the 'rx7 vaf' how-to on www.automediazone.com/pro for specifics on doing this.

Maz94Protege

I have a VAF meter for sale. Tested and works good. Used to be on my car.

94protolx

ok I have fixed it finally...I went to a car yard and pulled it from a desrtroyed 92 pro lx....cleaned it up and put in on, and it fires right up opened it up on the highway to clean it out hit about 115 before i slowed down, thanks for everyones help....btw got it for about 35 bucks


Sean

protejay

was it beige?... Jesse's car...??

i couldn't resist - the way he described it made me think of the former STS Pro...

bty glad your car is runnin again.

94protolx

naw this one was maroon and in virgina....

DarkApathy

Yo, I did the same exact bonehead move when installing my conic intake filter. Unscrewed the damn thing. I got a Rx7 VAF on mine now, but whenever you're working on cars, it's always a good idea to unhook the negative battery wire. Especially when working with the AIR FLOW METER. Unhooking it and then replacing it back will reset everything, even ur clock. But that should work, if not, then you most likely ruined your VAF. Start looking for a new one or a replacement. Hope this helps.

DarkApathy

WHOOPS...didnt read every post...im glad ur car works again. The 87 Rx7 VAF i got was put in after many mods to my stock intake. In fact, i wish i never changed a damn thing to my pro. If i ever want to make my Pro to the way it was, i need a new HBOX, modified that, a new tube from the HBOX to the TB, a new Pro VAF ($200 from the dealership), and a new hose from the engine to the HBOX, shortened that too. The Rx7 VAF is longer, so you gotta make space by shortening everything else. A real pain to make everything fit just right. I dont think I knew what I was getting into, but now i know. My pro runs fine now, but i had to go through alot of ****. I seriously wish a company would make a legit COLD AIR INTAKE for pros. That would consider the limited space we got, as well as conversions on all the hoses and hook ups. I really think the first gen pros intake has to be the most complex thing ever. So many different parts just to get air into the TB. Oh well....im loyal to pros...my next car will definately be another Protege.

marc93lx

Hmm...you wouldn't happen to know WHICH junk yard in okc its in would you? Im only about 35 min. from the city.