AEM Wideband Failsafe Gauge 304900 User Manual

							AEM Performance Electronics 
2205 126th Street Unit A, Hawthorne, CA. 90250 
Phone: (310) 484-2322 Fax: (310) 484-0152 
http://www.aemelectronics.com 
Instruction Part Number: 10-4900 Rev B 
 2012 AEM Performance Electronics 
       
Instruction Manual 
P/N 30-4900 Wideband Failsafe Gauge 
 
   
Wideband Failsafe Gauge Parts List 
 
This product is legal in California for racing vehi cles only and should never be used on public highwa ys. 
 
WARNING: 

 ! 
This installation is not for the electronic novice  or the PC illiterate! 
Use this system with EXTREME caution! If you are no t well versed 
in electronics and vehicle instrumentation or are not PC literate, 
please do not attempt the installation. Refer the i nstallation to an 
AEM trained tuning shop. A list of AEM trained tuni ng shops is 
available at 
www.aemelectronics.com/dealer_locator.php or by 
calling 800-423-0046. You should also visit the AEM  Performance 
Electronics Forum at http://www.aemelectronics.com.  
  
NOTE: AEM holds no responsibility for any engine da mage that 
results from the misuse of this product!
 
Qty  Description  Qty  Description 
1  Wideband Failsafe Gauge  1  Faceplate, Lambda Black  
1  UEGO Sensor  1  Faceplate, Vacuum Black 
1  UEGO Harness  1  Harness, Input / Output 
1  Install Kit w/ Bung  1  Rubber Band  
1  Power Harness  1  Wideband Failsafe Instructions 
1  USB Cable  1  Gauge Box 
1  Faceplate, AFR White  1  Boost Hose Adapter 
1  Faceplate, Boost Black  1  Vacuum Hose, 7/64” ID x  36” L 
1  Faceplate, Boost White  1  Silver Bezel   
						

							Page 3 
GETTING STARTED 
  
THIS PRODUCT DOES NOT INCLUDE SOFTWARE IN THE PACKA GING. PLEASE DOWNLOAD 
AND INSTALL THE WIDEBAND FAILSAFE CONFIGURATION SOF TWARE FROM THE AEM 
WEBSITE AT: 
www.aemelectronics.com/downloads 
  
Alternatively, register on the AEM Electronics Foru ms at 
http://forum.aempower.com/forum/index.php  
Click on the All Software & Firmware Downloads  forum. Click on the AEM W ideband Failsafe Software 
link to reach the download page.  The most recent s oftware revision will be posted here as well as the link 
above.  Note that you can subscribe to this thread  to be notified when software updates are released.  All 
current software releases will include a set of rev ision notes describing feature changes or additions  since 
the last update.   
 
Software Installation Instructions 
  
Follow the Installation Instructions as outlined in  the forum post described above.  After the softwar e 
installation is complete, click on the AEM W ideband  Failsafe icon (shown below) to launch the 
application. 
 
  
Connect the USB cable to the PC.  The Wideband Fail safe will turn ON with ignition key-on power.  
Alternatively, the Wideband Failsafe can be bench-p rogrammed outside of the vehicle without powering it 
by connecting just the USB cable. However, the UEGO  sensor, MAP sensor, analog outputs, and CAN 
outputs will not function.     
Firmware Updates 
  
To update the firmware, download the firmware file,  if available, from 
www.aemelectronics.com/downloads. While connected to the gauge with the USB cable,  open the 
AEM W ideband Failsafe Software. Go to the Tools drop down menu and select  Update Firmware  and 
follow the on-screen instructions.   
 
 
    
						

							Page 4 
Overview 
  
AEM W ideband Failsafe is an advanced safety device that allows the end user to closely monitor the 
performance of their engine.  As a tuning tool, thi s device provides the ability to accurately monitor  AFR, 
while actively protecting the engine by constantly  recording AFR curves and activating a user-defined 
failsafe strategy if it runs dangerously lean or ex cessively rich. 
   
The Wideband FAILSAFE Gauge is a UEGO (Universal Ex haust Gas Oxygen) controller with an internal 
boost sensor, an internal data logger and a full co lor Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display. It  
includes technology to activate a failsafe strategy  in the event AFR falls outside of a user-defined 
operating window. If the AFR falls outside of the s et operating window, the Wideband FAILSAFE Gauge 
triggers a user defined output function that can sa ve an engine from catastrophic damage. 
  
     
Installation Diagram 
 
      
						

							Page 5 
  
Installation 
 
1.  Disconnect the negative battery cable.   
2.  Temporarily install gauge without bracket into d esired mounting location.  Gauge mounts into a 2-1/ 16” 
(52MM) hole.  The supplied rubber band can be used  as a spacer around the gauge if it fits loosely in 
mounting hole. 
 
3.  Locate a suitable place in the exhaust system to  install the included oxygen sensor weld bung. On non-
turbocharged engines, mount the oxygen sensor in th e exhaust system at least 18 inches downstream 
from the exhaust port. On turbocharged engines the  oxygen sensor must be installed after the 
turbocharger, ideally 18” downstream from the turbo charger exhaust housing. NOTE: If the sensor is 
mounted before the turbocharger the pressure differ ential will affect the accuracy of the unit. For 
accurate readings, the sensor must be mounted upstr eam of the catalytic converters and/or auxiliary air 
pumps. To prevent collection of liquids between the  sensor housing and sensor element during the cold 
start phase, the installation angle should be incli ned at least 10° from horizontal with the electrica l 
connection upwards, see image below.  
             
4.  Next, the UEGO sensor 8-pin wiring harness shoul d be routed to the oxygen sensor bung.  
 
 
Pin Color Description 
1  N/C  N/C 
2  White  Heat - 
3  Orange  VM 
4  Green  IA 
5  Red  IP 
6  Black  UN 
7  N/C  N/C 
8  Brown  12V 
          
						

							Page 6 
 
5.  Next the main 16-pin connector will be manually  wired into the vehicle. 
 
 
 
Pin Color Description 
1  Black  Ground; connect to good chassis ground or d irectly to battery negative () terminal 
2  Red  Ignition power; connect to a fused key on +12 V power source 
3  Black USB - Dedicated 
4  N/C  Reserved 
5  Red USB - Dedicated 
6  Green USB - Dedicated 
7  Blue  *OPTIONAL* Ground output; connect to an exte rnal auxiliary device (1.5A max current) 
8  White USB - Dedicated 
9  Green  *OPTIONAL* Engine Speed Input; connect to a  square wave trigger 
10  Gray  *OPTIONAL* Gauge backlighting; connect to instrument lighting dimmer wire 
11  N/C Reserved 
12  N/C** *OPTIONAL* AEMnet - 
13  N/C** *OPTIONAL* AEMnet + 
14  Brown  *OPTIONAL* Analog ground for AFR and MAP;  connect to sensor ground of data logger or EMS 
15  White  *OPTIONAL* 0-5V analog output for AFR; con nect to + analog input of data logger or EMS 
16  Yellow  *OPTIONAL* 0-5V analog output for MAP; co nnect + analog input of data logger or EMS 
 NOTES:   ·  Pins 14/15 are differential analog outputs. The br own wire should be connected to an analog 
ground input for best results.  If the EMS, logger  or similar device does not have an analog ground 
input, the brown wire should be connected to a sens or ground.  If no sensor ground is available, the 
brown wire should be connected to a power ground.   The brown wire must be connected in order to 
obtain correct AFR and MAP readings from the analog  output(s). 
·   ** Pins 12/13 are un-populated as delivered.  Plea se order the optional 30-3439 wiring harness to 
connect the WBFS gauge to other AEMnet products. 
·   The WBFS gauge is able to receive RPM CAN data inp ut from an AEM ECUs such as the Series-2. 
 
6.  Connect all cables and wiring harnesses to gauge .  Fully install gauge into hole using mounting bracket 
and nuts.     
						

							Page 7 
7.  Install USB cable so the PC end of the cable is easily accessible and route the gauge end of cable to 
the gauge mounting location.  USB cable is meant to  be permanently installed to gauge and left in 
vehicle.  Stow PC end of cable in location such as  glove box or center console, etc. 
Wideband Failsafe Configuration 
 
In this tab, the AFR monitoring and alarm output fu nctionality of the W ideband Failsafe can be configu red.   
 
 
   
 
Air to Fuel Ratio vs. Pressure 
Description 
Displays  AFR  vs.  Pressure  data  points.  AFR  points  w ill  be  populated  live  whenever  the  PC  is  connected to  the 
Wideband  Failsafe  and  the  UEGO  sensor  is  registerin g  an  input.  The  current  AFR  and  Pressure  values  are  shown 
live  on  the  right  side  of  the  graph.    The  graph  are a  is  where  the  high  and  low  AFR  limit  lines  are  est ablished. 
Configure the pressure scale and AFR scale before s etting the boundary lines as they will reset each time a different 
scale is selected. 
Graph 
Button Description 
Auto Set Limits   Automatically sets the upper and lower AFR lines ba
sed on an average of the collected AFR 
data points   
Reset Limits  Resets the upper AFR limit line to max imum and the lower AFR limit line to minimum 
Clear Graph  Clears all the displayed AFR data points from the g
raph; does not clear stored AFR data from 
logger   
						

							Page 8 
       
 
Logger 
Button Description 
Log Percentage  Displays current amount of data recorded 
Download Log Downloads all the collected AFR data that is stored
 in the logger; will prompt to save log to disk; 
log files saved as .daq for direct viewing in AEMda ta program    
Clear Log   Clears all stored AFR data from the logg er   
RPM 
Parameter Description 
RPM  Displays the current engine speed dictated by t he Pulses Per Revolution option. 
Option Description 
Pulses Per  
Revolution  Using the RPM parameter, select the number of pulse
s per revolution to properly calibrate the 
engine speed input. 
Alarm Configuration 
Option Description 
Alarm Delay   Period of time that measured AFR can be outside the
 upper and lower AFR limit lines before an 
alarm condition is triggered; 100-1000 milliseconds  
Alarm Reset Period of time AFR must be within the acceptable ra
nge before the alarm will automatically 
reset and turn OFF; 1-10 seconds 
Disable Auto Reset  Select to require power cycle to  reset alarm; overrides the automatic alarm reset period. 
GND Output  Select to turn the ground output ON or turn the gro
und output OFF when an alarm is triggered; 
1.5 amps max 
Alarm Status 
Parameter Description 
Status Indicator  Color indicates status; green is s ystem ready, red is alarm triggered 
Source Indicates the source of the alarm condition; possib
le alarm conditions are high AFR, low AFR, 
auxiliary input, and alarm test 
Alarm Press  Pressure when alarm was triggered; Unit s determined by Pressure Scale selection 
Alarm AFR  AFR when alarm was triggered; Units deter mined by AFR Scale selection 
Option Description 
Alarm Test  Simulates the alarm to test output configuration; test duration set by Alarm Delay value  
						

							Page 9 
Gauge Configuration 
  
In this tab, the gauge lighting and display features can be configured. 
 
 
       
Display Option 
Option Description 
Center 
Display  Center display reading configuration; use to select
 either pressure (InHg / PSIg or Bar) or O2 sensor 
(AFR or Lambda) 
Installed 
Faceplate  Faceplate configuration; use to match 24 outer LEDs
 to faceplate with either Pressure (InHg / PSIg 
or Bar) or O2 sensor (AFR or Lambda) [See Appendix  II – Changing Faceplate / Bezel]  
Alarm Flash 
Option Description 
Flash Speed  Select speed of flashing while alarm is  triggered; flash slow or fast 
Dimmer Max Brightness 
Option Description 
Dimmer Max 
Brightness  Select whether +12V or ground indicates maximum bac
klighting brightness 
Bar-Graph LED Color 
Option Description 
RED LED (1)  Can be disabled; use slider to configure multiple LEDs. Reference gauge display at bottom right. 
ORG LED (2)  Can be disabled; use slider to configur e multiple LEDs. Reference gauge display at bottom right. 
GRN LED (3)  Cannot be disabled; use slider to confi gure multiple LEDs. Reference gauge display at bottom right. 
ORG LED (4)  Can be disabled; use slider to configur e multiple LEDs. Reference gauge display at bottom right. 
RED LED (5)  Can be disabled; use slider to configur e multiple LEDs. Reference gauge display at bottom right.  
						

							Page 10 
Wideband Failsafe Tuning 
  
The following is a basic guideline strategy for configuring the Wideband Failsafe for the first time.  The 
ideal time to configure the Wideband Failsafe is wh ile the vehicle is being dyno tuned.  Ensure your 
engine is fully functional mechanically before star ting to configure the Wideband Failsafe!    
 
1.  In the W ideband Failsafe Configuration tab, clic k Clear Graph and Reset Limits to zero all settings. 
 
2.  If a boosted pressure scale is selected, there w ill be a pink triangular cursor on the left side of the 
graph when the engine is in high vacuum, as shown b elow. The upper and lower limits for this high 
vacuum area will use the lowest pressure (furthest  left) breakpoint for alarm triggering. 
 
 
                             
						

							Page 11 
3.  Run the engine as you would normally drive the vehicle then complete a series of long sweeping high 
load 3rd and 4th gear pulls going from low to high RPM each time to  populate the graph with AFR data.  
Avoid making quick hard pulls as this may skew the  AFR data points. Repeat this procedure until a 
baseline AFR curve is established. Note: You may no tice that a few random AFR data points are 
plotted well outside of the normal AFR curve. This  is caused by dynamic tip-in wall wetting in transient 
pressure situations. This is normal behavior and fa lse triggers can be ignored in the configuration 
setup process below.