My 02 wrx didn't want to run this morning. It sounded like it had dropped a cylinder then the CEL started to blink. When I gave it some gas it would get up and run but not smoothly. It would idel but struggeling at best. I have a turbo timer, CIA, UP/DOWN pipes.

First: whats the deal with the blinking CEL?

When I give it gas it sounds like it's struggeling to get air or feul, it boggs then catches up and revs.

Any ideas?

Oh yeah. My last drive was from L.A. to S.D. and everthing ran great about 200+ miles. It's been raining heavily since I returned from L.A. could this be vapor lock?

 

The flashing CEL is indicating a misfire.
If you drove in the rain with the CAI it's possible you sucked up some water. CAI's are known for causing problems on WRX's and aren't recommended for this and other reasons.
Check your air filter for water, also remove the MAF sensor and examine it, if it's contaminated try cleaning it and see if that helps.

 

Yeah, blinking CEL on a relatively stock car (no engine management) means misfire. Check the plugs too, if checking the CAI doesn't help.

You can try and get the code pulled, too, just to be sure.

 

I vote water.

How many miles do you have and did you get gas anywhere in between? Have you changed the fuel filter?

 

I read about the problems with the cia's in the water so I removed the low part for the winter and run it like a short ram, so I don't think it's water. I haven't changed the feul filter in some time so I will do that. I will also check my sensors to make sure they are clean. Thanks ya'll

 

CAI lol it is a turbo car look at where that "cold" air is going. hack that think to a short ram.

 

if you just recharged the filter the oil can coat the sensor and mess up readings. be very careful not to break sensor if you clean it.(a little BrakeClean go a long way )