Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Could a MPGuino / SuperMID cause ECU issues if installed wrong ?

Cd · 04-20-2012, 04:17 PM

I recently fixed ( knock on wood ) an issue with my ECU on my 1993 Honda Civic DX.

I am now going to reinstall my SuperMID ( basically the same as a MPGuino ) and i had forgotten how that the wiring went.

I looked up Bens' helpful write up here :
crxMPG – Gas mileage never looked so good » SuperMID: Fuel Economy Display

on how to wire the SuperMID to the car and noticed a mention of the ECU.

My question is this :

If i somehow wire up the SuperMID wrong*, or do some bonehead move, is there a chance that i may short out my ECU ?

* meaning all the correct wires in the correct places, but with something causing a short in the wires.

BTW, My usual way of using the SuperMID has been to hit the reset button at the back of the SuperMID each trip that I take and to unplug the data cable from the SuperMID each time that i turn off the car - otherwise the SuperMID stays on and i would think it might drain on the battery.
Also, *this allows me to store the SuperMID in the glove box away from the scorching Texas heat and thieves who might think it is something that it is not.

I emailed Yoshi long ago, and he stated that i shouldn't have to unplug the SuperMID or hit the reset button each time that i use the SuperMID.

Since I had a habit of doing this anyways ( see the reasons above* ) could this have caused my ECU to develop problems ?

Should i install an inline fuse somewhere in the power line to the SuperMID or some other protective feature ?

Thanks !

04-20-2012, 04:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Cd Ultimate Fail Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Austin,Texas Posts: 3,585 Thanks: 2,872 Thanked 1,121 Times in 679 Posts	Could a MPGuino / SuperMID cause ECU issues if installed wrong ? I recently fixed ( knock on wood ) an issue with my ECU on my 1993 Honda Civic DX. I am now going to reinstall my SuperMID ( basically the same as a MPGuino ) and i had forgotten how that the wiring went. I looked up Bens' helpful write up here : crxMPG – Gas mileage never looked so good » SuperMID: Fuel Economy Display on how to wire the SuperMID to the car and noticed a mention of the ECU. My question is this : If i somehow wire up the SuperMID wrong, or do some bonehead move, is there a chance that i may short out my ECU ? meaning all the correct wires in the correct places, but with something causing a short in the wires. BTW, My usual way of using the SuperMID has been to hit the reset button at the back of the SuperMID each trip that I take and to unplug the data cable from the SuperMID each time that i turn off the car - otherwise the SuperMID stays on and i would think it might drain on the battery. Also, this allows me to store the SuperMID in the glove box away from the scorching Texas heat and thieves who might think it is something that it is not. I emailed Yoshi long ago, and he stated that i shouldn't have to unplug the SuperMID or hit the reset button each time that i use the SuperMID. Since I had a habit of doing this anyways ( see the reasons above ) could this have caused my ECU to develop problems ? Should i install an inline fuse somewhere in the power line to the SuperMID or some other protective feature ? Thanks !