I'd be surprised if it has anything to do with visibility from the cabin. From a techie standpoint, its more likely the red and green blink in conjunction with activity on associated circuitry. Just a guess, but perhaps red to indicate turbo boost circuit activity and green for fuel pressure activity at the common rail(?).

I'm anticipating arrival of one of these new design units myself. Looks like Seamus will soon get to compare notes with similarly equipped owner.

//greg//

 

I apparently need to work on my sarcasm…

I know they aren't meant to be seen by the driver, that was kind of my point

I'd guess that they'll be helpful to them when trying to troubleshoot issues.

 

Does this mean that there are now only 5 available maps?

 

Looks like it, but it sounds like they are the higher maps anyway (0 and 6-9). 6 is the lowest I've gone and have no interest in trying 1-5 so I wouldn't consider this loss of functionality.

 

Yeah. The way Jason explained it, it's pretty much a complete redesign; new circuit board and front cover, and - given there are now four fasteners - perhaps even the whole housing.

Old version: 10 position rotary Map Select switch, and simple rheostat output Power Adjust of the map selected (somewhere between 50% to 100%) .

New version: Map Select is now five pairs of pins that equate to the "old" Maps 5 through 9. You select the map desired by placing a pin jumper over the pair associated with the desired Map. Power Adjust feature has been moved to the old 10 position rotary switch, yielding more positive control than the old infinitely variable rheostat.

//greg//

 

I'll have it installed on Friday and will post my experience. Starting out middle jumper and 8 on the power switch.

 

So the new box with a 14 CD behaves a little differently. I started by trying to replicate the settings others had been using, middle map 8 on the boost boost control. Certainly faster, but much more injector noise overcoming the higher rail pressure. At WOT in sport mode when warm the engine cuts power, flashes the glow-plug light, and this morning went into limp mode going up a hill. Turning off and restarting reset limp mode. So I backed off one map (worried about injector longevity), and dialed boost back to 7. Sounds much happier now, and no limp mode or other errors. All in all a worthwhile increase in usable power for not much cost.

 

Seamus, now that there is a second generation box - I'm going to start another thread. Owners of first generation box can continue here, second generation can start fresh. That way pins/settings/terminology et cetera won't get co-mingled.

//greg//

 

Update from my annual FL trip.
I left it on map 7 for the trip (no roof box this time) and got 31.4mpg with a speed average around 80.

Also made a trip to Tampa (30ish miles) and back for a 31.9 including being stuck in the mess that is 275 and other short trips around town.

Unfortunately this morning was not so good. It was cool (for FL) at 70 degrees with some moderate humidity after storms all day yesterday (drove it around during the storms yesterday) and it wouldn't start today when I tried. The starter (and battery) were obviously working, but the engine wouldn't turn over and sounded like it wasn't getting gas. The glow plug light was also blinking.

Even though I hadn't read about no-start issues from other BSP users that had issues with the Gen 1 units, I suspected the BSP might be the culprit. Unfortunately even though I meant to bring it, I left my Durametric at home. After a couple of attempts to start it I pulled the BSP out and sure enough it started right up and made a 60+ mile round trip to Orlando with no issues.

After Greg's reports about the Gen 2 improvements I contacted them about upgrading and they offered a 50% discount on the new unit, but suggested that since I wasn't having issues they wouldn't recommend bothering (which I agreed with). So I'll reach out to them again after I get home and see what they have to say now, but for now it will stay out.

Bummer, but it's been fun

 

The fact that you get the GP icon suggests you may actually have issues. That icon is an indicator of a minor fault code (the check engine icon being a major code). I bet if you pull the code(s) you'll find it related to the turbo boost sensor. Once I isolated my Gen1 box from the boost sensor (reconnected OE plugs), faults stopped occurring.

//greg//

 

That could be, but this seemed like a lack of fuel issue more than anything else so I suspect a fuel rail related issue. We'll see.

 

Glad you like it, but we're trying to keep this thread relative to Gen1 BlueSpark boxes. Because of the physical differences between Gen1 and Gen2, I started a new topic. You're invited to share your Gen2 experiences here.

//greg//

 

I expect this will be my last review of the unit since I'll move to the Gen 2 box if I continue to go this route for a tune.

From DC to Central FL I got an MFD average of 31.1mpg with the BSP set to 7 and its adjuster tweaked into the 90ish range. This was a full tank at a known 40 Cetane and a partial tank of an unknown rating (Sunoco).

Due to the no start issue I pulled the unit an the return trip was entirely stock and the reported average by the MFD was 27.4. This was using both a full tank (Sunoco) and partial (BP) with unknown Cetane ratings.

Both trips were under as near identical conditions and speeds as possible.

So even with the known issues with the Gen 1 box, it obviously still offers some significant improvements.

 

I travel to Nashville quite often, a mixed driving trip of approximately 110 miles to the bottom of the Nashville exit ramp. Best I ever did with the Gen1 box was 35.5 mpg. First trip with the Gen2 box returned 37.8 mpg. Plus the Gen2 box delivers additional hp and torque. The advertised claim is 305hp/515 torque. And I can feel the extra kick. But only a dyno will determine whether that's a completely honest set of numbers.

//greg//

 

Gnat

Do you have any plans of putting your CD back on the dyno with the North American Map?
I suspect you will see higher numbers with the proper map.