How to install the Single Value AST Smart ECO VCM Modules
The unit should be installed into a cold engine so you do not trip a P0128 or P0118 code and get a check engine light.
STEP 1: FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE ENGINE BAY
Locate your current ECT1 plug, normally located here. This photo is from a 2008 Honda Accord.
Locate your current ECT1 plug, normally located here. This photo is from a 2008 Honda Accord.
STEP 2: REMOVE EXISTING PLUG
The plug has a locking mechanism on one side, push in with your thumb to unlock it, then carefully slide it up to remove the female plug from the ECT1 sensor. Make sure your engine is cold before performing this step.
The plug has a locking mechanism on one side, push in with your thumb to unlock it, then carefully slide it up to remove the female plug from the ECT1 sensor. Make sure your engine is cold before performing this step.
STEP 2: (CONTINUED)
In the photo below, you can see the female plug fully removed from the ECT1 sensor.
In the photo below, you can see the female plug fully removed from the ECT1 sensor.
GENERAL NOTES:
Your AST Smart ECO VCM module may look different than below, but they all require a similar installation procedure.
The female plug [red circle] will plug into the white connector in your engine.
The male plug [blue circle] will plug into the existing female plug you just removed from ECT1 in the previous step.
The thermal switch [green circle] will sense the engine temperature and engage the Smart ECO VCM module.
Your AST Smart ECO VCM module may look different than below, but they all require a similar installation procedure.
The female plug [red circle] will plug into the white connector in your engine.
The male plug [blue circle] will plug into the existing female plug you just removed from ECT1 in the previous step.
The thermal switch [green circle] will sense the engine temperature and engage the Smart ECO VCM module.
THERMAL SWITCH NOTES:
The thermal switch senses the heat from the engine and will engage the AST Smart ECO VCM module when it has reached approximately 120F. Their are two suggested places to mount the thermal switch.
The first suggested location is tied to the coolant pipe, as shown in the first photo below.
The second suggested location is tucked behind the engine to the left of the ECT1 plug. as shown in the second photo below.
In colder climates it is suggested to tie the thermal switch to the pipe so it senses the heat from the engine faster.
The thermal switch senses the heat from the engine and will engage the AST Smart ECO VCM module when it has reached approximately 120F. Their are two suggested places to mount the thermal switch.
The first suggested location is tied to the coolant pipe, as shown in the first photo below.
The second suggested location is tucked behind the engine to the left of the ECT1 plug. as shown in the second photo below.
In colder climates it is suggested to tie the thermal switch to the pipe so it senses the heat from the engine faster.
Suggested Location #1, Mounted to the engine coolant pipe
Suggested Location #2, Behind the engine and to the left of the ECT1 plug
STEP 4: PLUG FEMALE CONNECTOR IN
Plug the one end of the AST Smart ECO module into the white connector on the engine.
You should hear it click into place when it is fully inserted.
Plug the one end of the AST Smart ECO module into the white connector on the engine.
You should hear it click into place when it is fully inserted.
STEP 5: SECURE THERMAL SWITCH TO COOLANT PIPE [OR TUCK BEHIND ENGINE, NOT SHOWN]
Their are two suggested positions for the thermal switch, secured to the coolant pipe or tucked behind the engine.
If you live in a predominantly cold area, it is suggested you secure the thermal switch to the coolant pipe.
If you live in a predominantly warm area, you can just tuck the switch behind the engine. However if you are finding ECO is taking a long time to turn off, you can also secure it to the coolant pipe.
The photos below shows the switch secured to the coolant pipe using the included zip ties [photo #1] or the insulating compression band [photo #2]. The insulating compression bands started shipping with units after 2/20/20.
The zip tie should be snug to hold it in place, but not pulled extremely tight - you do not want to damage the components inside the thermal switch.
The insulating compression band will adjust itself automatically to secure the switch.
Their are two suggested positions for the thermal switch, secured to the coolant pipe or tucked behind the engine.
If you live in a predominantly cold area, it is suggested you secure the thermal switch to the coolant pipe.
If you live in a predominantly warm area, you can just tuck the switch behind the engine. However if you are finding ECO is taking a long time to turn off, you can also secure it to the coolant pipe.
The photos below shows the switch secured to the coolant pipe using the included zip ties [photo #1] or the insulating compression band [photo #2]. The insulating compression bands started shipping with units after 2/20/20.
The zip tie should be snug to hold it in place, but not pulled extremely tight - you do not want to damage the components inside the thermal switch.
The insulating compression band will adjust itself automatically to secure the switch.
Photo #1: Secured using the nylon zip tie
Photo #2: Secured using the insulating compression band
STEP 6: PLUG MALE CONNECTOR IN
Plug the other side of the AST Smart ECO VCM module into the plug you removed from the engine.
You should hear it click into place when it is fully inserted.
Plug the other side of the AST Smart ECO VCM module into the plug you removed from the engine.
You should hear it click into place when it is fully inserted.
STEP 7: SECURE ANY LOOSE WIRES AND ENJOY YOUR NEW ENGINE
Some vehicles may have more slack wires than others - secure any loose wires and try to prevent anything from touching the engine that is not insulated.
This completes the installation of the unit.
Some vehicles may have more slack wires than others - secure any loose wires and try to prevent anything from touching the engine that is not insulated.
This completes the installation of the unit.
RECORDED DATA FROM A TYPICAL DRIVE:
The graph below shows a typical unit in operation, reflecting data I collected from my ODB2 scanner and smartphone.
The engine temperature was approximately 63F when first started. This was also the air temperature outside.
I backed down my driveway and left the car to idle for approximately 1 minute, as I had to run back into the house to grab a couple of things for the road :) [I almost forgot my coffee!]
I then proceeded to leave my development and drive on some 25, 35 and 40 mph roads.
The engine temperature slowly increased until about 172F.
At that point, their was enough heat to transfer over to the AST Smart ECO VCM modules thermal switch and activate the unit.
The ECT1 reported engine temperature dropped by approximately 20 degrees to 152F.
While the engine temperature was being reported below 167F, the ECO mode was disabled.
Their was a small window from 5 minutes to 6:40 where the ECO mode was engaging, however the delayed activation of the AST Smart ECO VCM module is what sets it apart from the competitors - it automatically activates when the engine has warmed up, helping to prevent P0118 and P0128 check engine lights that other, "always on" units experience.
The graph below shows a typical unit in operation, reflecting data I collected from my ODB2 scanner and smartphone.
The engine temperature was approximately 63F when first started. This was also the air temperature outside.
I backed down my driveway and left the car to idle for approximately 1 minute, as I had to run back into the house to grab a couple of things for the road :) [I almost forgot my coffee!]
I then proceeded to leave my development and drive on some 25, 35 and 40 mph roads.
The engine temperature slowly increased until about 172F.
At that point, their was enough heat to transfer over to the AST Smart ECO VCM modules thermal switch and activate the unit.
The ECT1 reported engine temperature dropped by approximately 20 degrees to 152F.
While the engine temperature was being reported below 167F, the ECO mode was disabled.
Their was a small window from 5 minutes to 6:40 where the ECO mode was engaging, however the delayed activation of the AST Smart ECO VCM module is what sets it apart from the competitors - it automatically activates when the engine has warmed up, helping to prevent P0118 and P0128 check engine lights that other, "always on" units experience.
