Does anyone know what would cause my 96 WRX to briefly die under heavy acceleration (4500-5000rpm).

The problem is intermittent but worrying as it usually happens whilst overtaking.

The car recovers quickly but can repeatedly die on one overtaking move.

 

At that rpm it could be overboost causing fuel cut off.

Also read the recent posting from DYNT in Miscellaneous on diagnosing problems - if the ECU has seen it it will be in memory which you should be able to access (I know you can on 98 and 99 cars).

Cheers,

David

 

Howdy

I'm afraid you will have to wait until the next "lesson" for codes for the 96 year of car.... lol

Those codes relate to 99/00 cars...

J.

 

Hi John

How serious is the "die"? Can you describe it better? Is it violent?

Ben

 

Does your rev limiter drop to 0 as well? as this may well indicate an electical problem.

 

If the cut off is violent it is probably your waste gate solenoid being fouled. This can happen if the car has been overfilled with oil or just filled to the max.
See the SIDC FAQ

 

This could indicate problems with your ignition system. How many miles has the car done? The ignition coilpacks (one onver each plug) on your car can degrade over time, so you should look at these and check the spark plugs for condition and gapping.

Do you run an oiled air filter element or cone? If so, you may have a problem with your hot-wire mass air flow meter.

Moray

 

John.......If this happens only in second gear it is well known about. Something about the ECU raining back the engine to stop snapping of the drive train. I had this problem on a UK MY98, and now on a UK MY99. It alway seems to happen when overtaking. Apparently nothing can be done to resolve.

Steve

 

Not the spark plugs then?

 

The drop-off varies in severity. Sometimes it can just be a momentary judder, but occasionally the revs drop to zero which can be a bit of a head jerker. It also tends to worry the people you are overtaking.

It does not happen everytime I accelerate hard. Could it be the AFM?

 

What I neglected to say is that the car was serviced 3 or 4 weeks ago and has had new plugs, filters and oil.

 

Oh by the way, this problem has only started occurring after the last service. This may not be connected.

 

John,

read Trouble Code in Miscellaneous and email Firefox to see if he has the diagnostic codes for a 96 car, I am sure he will have!

If it is the AFM, which it sounds like it could be, you can diagnose this yourself.

I had similar problems recently, and it was a problem with the AFM circuit, although not the AFM itself. DYNT also advised me it could be an air leak with one of the hoses so check these out.

Cheers,

David

 

John J,

If it started after a service and oil change, check the oil hesn't been overfilled. It may be something to do with oil getting into the turbo control piping, (maybe that's just 97 cars?), check the SIDC FAQ.]

I don't suppose you recently filled up at a different petrol station?

Moray

 

The car has done 33,000 miles (20,000 by me since May this year).
I have checked the oil level and it is up to the second hole on the dipstick which should be fine as far as I know.
All the hoses look secure, although there are an awful lot of them under the bonnet!!

I will see if the self-diagnostic test reveals anything tomorrow.

Mant thanks for all your helpful suggestions.
I will keep you posted.

 

I checked the self-diagnostic by connecting up the Black leads under the steering column but all I got registering on the 'check engine' lights was a steady blinking which would seem to indicate that the ECU isn't upset about anything.

Does anybody know exactly where the T shaped supply hose for the Waste Gate Solenoid is located?

 

I have the same problem with my EVO at the minute. When I get to 3500-5000rpm in 1st 2nd and 3rd I lose all power. It is very violent as it feels like the car is trying to chuck me through the windscreen. Is it trying to tell me something? Fourth and fith will keep going however. If I fill up with fuel I can get between 20-25 miles out of the tank before the problem starts up again. Anyone got any ideas?

Liam

 

Liam,

the answer is obvious - I'm surprised I am the first to reply - BUY A SCOOBY!

David