First start

A first start is a trigger problem until the composite log is clean, then a fueling problem until it idles, then an idle-control problem until it stays running with the throttle shut. Do not skip the order.

Before there is fuel pressure

1. 01Firmware current, TunerStudio connected, .msq saved empty.
2. 02Engine displacement, cylinder count, firing order entered.
3. 03Injector flow (cc/min at your base pressure) and dead-time table entered. Required fuel calculated, not guessed.
4. 04Coil type = logic-level. Dwell table conservative (2.0–2.5 ms for most smart coils).
5. 05Fuel pump and ignition outputs set to the pins you actually wired.
6. 06Trigger type set to the wheel you have (36-1, 60-2, 24x LS, Nissan 360 is not supported — use a 36-1 or 12-1 disk).

Crank with fuel and spark disabled

In TunerStudio, cut fuel and spark. Crank. Open the composite logger (and the trigger logger). You want:

• RPM that is not zero and not insane (not 20 000 rpm on a 36-1).
• A stable missing-tooth gap on a toothed wheel. VR polarity is wrong if the long gap is inverted — swap VR+ / VR−.
• Cam (if sequential) occurring once per two crank revolutions, in a repeatable place.

Enable spark, then fuel

1. 01Spark only

   Enable ignition, keep fuel off. Confirm a timing light on cylinder 1 agrees with the commanded cranking timing (typically 8–12°). Adjust trigger offset until it does. This is the whole game — get offset right now.

2. 02Fuel on

   Enable the pump. Crank. If it catches and dies, add cranking fuel. If it coughs and will not fire, check injector polarity (low-side to ECU, 12 V from main relay) and coil 1 vs cylinder 1.

3. 03Idle

   Once it runs, you are in the idle and VE chapter. Do not enable boost, VVT or traction on a first start.

After it idles

• Set base timing at a known idle with the light. Then lock it and move on to VE.
• Calibrate TPS closed / WOT.
• Calibrate CLT and IAT against an independent thermometer.
• Turn on wideband and confirm AFR is a number, not 22 or 7.
• Save the msq. Copy it off the laptop.