Car Trouble 2003 WRX Fuel Related?
11-04-2003, 11:52 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Car Trouble 2003 WRX Fuel Related?
Let me start off by saying, I'm not much of a car buff. But I do understand the basics.
While driving to work today, I was having acceleration problems, and as I took a turn, I began to accelerate, and pressing the gas was not working correctly. I came to a stop, let the car sit for a bit. Then tried to get moving again. At this point the engine shutoff.
I turned the car off. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. Turned it back on, let it sit at idle for a bit. I was able to go through first gear, and a bit through second, when the same problem began again. I let of the gas then continued.
It seems like I can stay at very low speed, but when I attempt to accelerate anymore than a certain amount, the engine wants to shut off.
I checked the airfilter, and reset the computer (by disconnecting the battery). The problem presists. I should mention the check engine light began to flash a bit into this. It's flashing yellow.
Any ideas, or help would be appreciated. Seems like its fuel injection related.
While driving to work today, I was having acceleration problems, and as I took a turn, I began to accelerate, and pressing the gas was not working correctly. I came to a stop, let the car sit for a bit. Then tried to get moving again. At this point the engine shutoff.
I turned the car off. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. Turned it back on, let it sit at idle for a bit. I was able to go through first gear, and a bit through second, when the same problem began again. I let of the gas then continued.
It seems like I can stay at very low speed, but when I attempt to accelerate anymore than a certain amount, the engine wants to shut off.
I checked the airfilter, and reset the computer (by disconnecting the battery). The problem presists. I should mention the check engine light began to flash a bit into this. It's flashing yellow.
Any ideas, or help would be appreciated. Seems like its fuel injection related.
11-05-2003, 04:52 AM
#2
Registered User
Join Date: May 2003
Location: From A Subie Dealer Near You
Posts: 23
Car Info: The Dealer Specialist
Huh? 2003 WRX? Doesn't it have warranty?
Why don't you just take it into the dealer, and have the vehicle checked out?
Or do you have it heavily modified, were it won't be covered by the factory warranty?
You have what is referred to as a hot code, since the engine light is flashing. It could be either a cam, or crank shaft sensor.
Why don't you just take it into the dealer, and have the vehicle checked out?
Or do you have it heavily modified, were it won't be covered by the factory warranty?
You have what is referred to as a hot code, since the engine light is flashing. It could be either a cam, or crank shaft sensor.
Last edited by Spo172; 11-05-2003 at 05:11 AM.
11-05-2003, 07:12 AM
#3
VIP Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,646
Car Info: 02 WRX WRB
The CEL will always be yellow whether it's flashing or on steadily. If it's flashing it indicates a misfire being detected in real-time. It's not good to continue driving with this condition as the catalytic converters can overheat and be damaged by a continuous misfire.
You may have an ignition problem with one or more coilpacks or spark plugs, or perhaps a fuel delivery problem.
Definitely get the car to a dealer ASAP and have it checked before this gets worse.
You may have an ignition problem with one or more coilpacks or spark plugs, or perhaps a fuel delivery problem.
Definitely get the car to a dealer ASAP and have it checked before this gets worse.
11-05-2003, 06:32 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
After some messing around with it, it really seemed it was sensor related. I was able to get it to a mechanc friend who pulled the CEL code and a sensor was reporting a fire in the downpipe.
About 6 months ago I had a up/dp installed (sorry I forgot to mention). I've had the CEL of ever since, but I knew it was from the up/dp.
My mechanic put a resistor on it, and said the car is running fine now.
My question would be, why did it take this long for this sensor to start doing this?
About 6 months ago I had a up/dp installed (sorry I forgot to mention). I've had the CEL of ever since, but I knew it was from the up/dp.
My mechanic put a resistor on it, and said the car is running fine now.
My question would be, why did it take this long for this sensor to start doing this?
11-05-2003, 06:58 PM
#5
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,646
Car Info: 02 WRX WRB
Ok, now that you've provided the additional information it's obvious what happened. Either your EGT sensor or the wiring for it went bad and apparently shorted, causing the ECU to set the code for exhaust fire and go into a failsafe mode where the car runs really bad.
Since you had the uppipe and downpipe (presumably catless) done at the same time the resulting CEL could have been from either one, depending on what else was done with the install. If the new uppipe had the mount for the original EGT probe and it was reinstalled, there would have been no CEL from that as long as the probe was still good. In this case the EGT probe would have continued to work for a while and finally failed causing the problem you just had. This isn't unusual when the OE probe is reinstalled in a catless uppipe as they don't seem to last very long when exposed to the full exhaust stream.
You would also be getting a CEL from the catless downpipe, unless a "fix" had been installed to prevent it.
Since you had the uppipe and downpipe (presumably catless) done at the same time the resulting CEL could have been from either one, depending on what else was done with the install. If the new uppipe had the mount for the original EGT probe and it was reinstalled, there would have been no CEL from that as long as the probe was still good. In this case the EGT probe would have continued to work for a while and finally failed causing the problem you just had. This isn't unusual when the OE probe is reinstalled in a catless uppipe as they don't seem to last very long when exposed to the full exhaust stream.
You would also be getting a CEL from the catless downpipe, unless a "fix" had been installed to prevent it.
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