What is going on wit my car (CEL)?

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May 17, 2004 | 09:59 AM

mike626

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From: Rosemead

Car Info: 2003 WRX

What is going on wit my car?

I have a CEL (stays on, not blinking) and my car is stock other than a DIY grounding kit. I warm up the car but RPM does not drop below 1 and while turning on the engine, the RPM needle bogs up and down a couple of times before settling. When i drive, there is engine hesitation. What's going on??????

May 17, 2004 | 10:23 AM

ish

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From: Oakland, CA

Car Info: 2009 wrx & 2000 4runner

get the code pulled. it could be a hundred different things. the code will tell you what the problem is

May 17, 2004 | 10:36 AM

meilers

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From: Phoenix, AZ

Car Info: Subaru Impreza WRX 2002

Take off the grounding kit first. It is definitely possible to improperly ground a car engine.

May 17, 2004 | 10:56 AM

ish

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From: Oakland, CA

Car Info: 2009 wrx & 2000 4runner

Quote:

Originally Posted by meilers

Take off the grounding kit first. It is definitely possible to improperly ground a car engine.

that probably has nothing to do with it. CEL's are only related to the vehicle emissions system. pull the code first before doing anything

May 17, 2004 | 03:31 PM

Superdave17

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I have a slightly different problem, my engine hesitates or bogs down when I start it up after I let it warm up for a minute, I give it some gas and after a couple of seconds it goes away. Running too rich?? It's all stock no mods yet just wondering if I should take it in??

May 17, 2004 | 03:56 PM

MidNite Runner

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From: Landenberg, PA

Car Info: 2002 RS

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrx ish

that probably has nothing to do with it. CEL's are only related to the vehicle emissions system. pull the code first before doing anything

Are you sure CEL's are only with emission? If you don't have your gas cap on it comes on (not an emission part), if you blow a fuse the CEL comes on (not an emission part), and etc. So if your car is not properly grounded it is possible for the light to come on, along with a hundred non emission stuff

May 17, 2004 | 04:43 PM

Kean

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Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 261

From: So. Ca., CA USA

Car Info: 03 WRX / 08 Forester

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidNite Runner

If you don't have your gas cap on it comes on (not an emission part)

.......actually, it is considered a part of the emissions system.

May 17, 2004 | 09:13 PM

mike626

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From: Rosemead

Car Info: 2003 WRX

Damn, i dont have a scanner and the local AUTOZONEs dont offer that service of pulling codes anymore. Guess i got no choice but to bring my car to the nearest dealer. U guys think Monrovia Subaru is gonna give me crap about my DIY grounding kit?

May 20, 2004 | 01:09 PM

mike626

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From: Rosemead

Car Info: 2003 WRX

Ok, i brought my car into Sierra subaru yesterday morning. Called them back later in the afternoon and they said they were unable to recreate the problem (unusual idle, rpm needle never drops below 1, CEL). They recommended leaving my car there overnight and they will try it again tomorrow (today). I called them again today and they said they still were not able to recreate all the problems i've told them about. WTF is going on? These problems were going on for me two days straight and when the car gets to the dealer they just disappear? They said they will have the tech have a closer look at my car again and to call again later. WHAT IS GOING ON!?!?!??!