Help needed ASAP! CEL flashing/no clue why

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Feb 8, 2004 | 07:15 PM

superfly

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Help needed ASAP! CEL flashing/no clue why

I have a 2002 WRX. I just swapped out the turbo for a VF39. The car ran fine before I did that, although it did have a slight ticking to it. We put the turbo on and I installed my APS intake that was previously installed. (it is the the older version, not the new ones that are stamped with a number) I had it on the car before winter started, but took it off. At first the intake makes the car idle a little rough but the car learns itself out of it, so that wasn't a problem.

This is my problem:
We installed the new turbo and intake. I let the car run and idle for 20-25 minutes and then I took it out to see how it drove. It was fine at first, but the pedal felt a little empty, if that makes sense. After that, the car started shaking a little and the CEL started flashing in about .5 second on .5 second off intervals. The car was idling very rough when we got back. I put the stock air box back on and then turned the car back on. The CEL was still flashing and the car was idling a little better. I then pulled the neg terminal on the battery and pumped the brake to drain the excess power. After a few minutes I reconnected it and started the car and the CEL was still flashing at the same rate.

What could be causing this? I looked under the dash above the pedals for the black and green plugs. All I found was 2 green plugs, 1 black, and 1 white. When I connected the 2 green plugs the CEL flashed faster than before, but it was still a steady flash.

Any help would be appreciated, and the sooner the better. I will probably leave the car at my buddies house, and go to AutoZone tomorrow and have them put their scan tool into it.

If you want to reply to this you can, or you can e-mail me at nvoils@indy.net

Thanks to anyone that can help,
Nick

Feb 9, 2004 | 08:55 AM

Rizzo

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From: Indianapolis

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Wow, people here are really helpful.

Feb 17, 2004 | 06:04 PM

(==ImPrEzAWR==)

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Check all your waste gate hoses seems like your hoses is tied up and your car is my quess throwing and exhasut gas temp high code. This happen to me personally.

Feb 17, 2004 | 09:15 PM

Rizzo

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All of the wastegate hoses are fine. I bought an OBD-II scanner and put it on and it says that there is a misfire.

Feb 17, 2004 | 09:20 PM

mexicanpizza

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From: ...a craphole in No.County San Diego

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Keep the greens DISconnected. They are a diagnostic plug that should be disconnected when the dealer gives you the car.

I would bet it's a misfire in one or more cylinders.

edit: I was right!

I would guess that the combination of the intake and big turbo is not sitting well with your ECU. What other mods do you have supporting that turbo?

Feb 18, 2004 | 04:54 AM

Rizzo

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From: Indianapolis

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The greens are disconnected. They have been disconnected.

Yes, you are correct, it is a misfire in one or more cylinders.

After the problem occurred I took the turbo and intake off. So the car is back to stock in those areas. I did not put anything in with the turbo (injectors, fuel pump, etc) because I thought that the VF39 was only slightly larger and did not require them.