Is my ECU all right?
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Is my ECU all right?
I bought my '03 WRX used, with 15,000 miles on it. I've found a lot of very small things wrong with it, all related to what looks like a rushed and careless removal of custom audio equipment, and possible tinkering with the ECU (Engine Control Unit) under the front passenger’s feet.
My biggest concern is that when I bought the car, the large metal shield over the ECU was completely unattached. Looks like the previous owner was messing with it.
As background information...
Under the steering column and above the control pedals are four wire adapter modules that are just hanging. Two of the four adapters are green and fit together, one adapter is black, and one adapter is white. I went to the dealer and looked at a new WRX, and found the exact same thing. Someone on i-Club told me that the green adapters are for an ECU self test. Someone else on i-Club told me that when they connected the green adapters, their car refused to start and the CEL (Check Engine Light) was lit on the dash. They unplugged the green adapters and all was well once again.
My current questions are these:
1. Being that the previous owner has toyed with the ECU, how do I know if my ECU is working properly and up to factory specifications?
2. Is there any way I can use the green wire adapters and the ECU self test (as described above) to help me make this determination?
Thanks! I appreciate all of the help that i-Club members have given me! You’ve all made my introduction into the performance-car world a lot more pleasant!
DannyB
My biggest concern is that when I bought the car, the large metal shield over the ECU was completely unattached. Looks like the previous owner was messing with it.
As background information...
Under the steering column and above the control pedals are four wire adapter modules that are just hanging. Two of the four adapters are green and fit together, one adapter is black, and one adapter is white. I went to the dealer and looked at a new WRX, and found the exact same thing. Someone on i-Club told me that the green adapters are for an ECU self test. Someone else on i-Club told me that when they connected the green adapters, their car refused to start and the CEL (Check Engine Light) was lit on the dash. They unplugged the green adapters and all was well once again.
My current questions are these:
1. Being that the previous owner has toyed with the ECU, how do I know if my ECU is working properly and up to factory specifications?
2. Is there any way I can use the green wire adapters and the ECU self test (as described above) to help me make this determination?
Thanks! I appreciate all of the help that i-Club members have given me! You’ve all made my introduction into the performance-car world a lot more pleasant!
DannyB
Any ideas on this?
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 568
From: busy writing log of best roads in CA.
Car Info: 2002 WRX Sedan
Here is some info I found in MRT's WRX book, but note, this applies to the up-to 2001 Impreza WRX (not US spec), but your color scheme sounds alike.
"The procedure to reset the engine ECU is as follows:
1. With the engine switched off and the gear selector in park (A/T cars) connect both the green and black connectors.
2. Switch ignition on and ensure that the check engine light is illuminated. (If not you have a problem and should seek professional advice.) For A/T cars shift the gear lever **** into neutral and then back to park.
3. Start the engine and then proceed to drive the car for at least one minute keeping road speed above 11km/h.
4. If the engine is not up to operating temperature, stop and warm engine above 2,000 rpm.
5. At this point the check engine light should start to flash the all-clear signal (half second flashes). If the check engine light flashes a sequence other than all clear, there is a fault present in the system, and it should be professionally checked for necessary repairs."
Please be clear, this is from an author in Australia, describing the technique for ECU reset for the previous generation Impreza, but it may apply to the 2002 & later, I don't know.
I would imagine that if your ECU was in trouble, you'd have CEL problems, and weird stuff going on with driveability, and the cooling fan cycling on and off (or maybe never coming on), or the car would be waaaay down on power.
Good luck,
"The procedure to reset the engine ECU is as follows:
1. With the engine switched off and the gear selector in park (A/T cars) connect both the green and black connectors.
2. Switch ignition on and ensure that the check engine light is illuminated. (If not you have a problem and should seek professional advice.) For A/T cars shift the gear lever **** into neutral and then back to park.
3. Start the engine and then proceed to drive the car for at least one minute keeping road speed above 11km/h.
4. If the engine is not up to operating temperature, stop and warm engine above 2,000 rpm.
5. At this point the check engine light should start to flash the all-clear signal (half second flashes). If the check engine light flashes a sequence other than all clear, there is a fault present in the system, and it should be professionally checked for necessary repairs."
Please be clear, this is from an author in Australia, describing the technique for ECU reset for the previous generation Impreza, but it may apply to the 2002 & later, I don't know.
I would imagine that if your ECU was in trouble, you'd have CEL problems, and weird stuff going on with driveability, and the cooling fan cycling on and off (or maybe never coming on), or the car would be waaaay down on power.
Good luck,
Last edited by jimr; Jun 13, 2003 at 10:05 PM.
VIP Member
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,568
From: Rockland County...NY
Car Info: want a WRX
http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...=293448&page=4
scroll down to tips and tricks...he tells you how to reset the ecu
scroll down to tips and tricks...he tells you how to reset the ecu
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 139
From: VA
Car Info: MY 02 WRB WRX Wagon
The car either had a Unicip or a UTEC. I'd go back to the dealer and *****. I've modified the hell out of my car and wouldn't want to be its next owner. I plan to keep mine for a few years, though.
Modified cars are driven hard. Who knows what the previous owner did to or with the car?
X
Modified cars are driven hard. Who knows what the previous owner did to or with the car?
X
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