Tommo1980

Firstly good afternoon Scooby Net!


My names Matt and I'm new to this forum (this is my first post) and also new to Scooby's - I've actually just bought my first ever one which is a 2002 Impreza WRX Wagon.


I have been driving it now for a few days and this morning on my way to work the engine management light came on - It didn't go into limp mode and still seems to be running fine.


The car is totally standard apart from a Prodrive sportcat with Miltek backbox - I think the fule pump has also been uprated but cannot be sure - All these mods were done prior to me getting the car a few days ago and as I say the eml has only just come on.


I know this model of WRX has eml issues and it can be a whole host of things so really I need to plug it into some Diagnostics to see what it is - While I'm doing that I would also like to have it re-mapped to ensure everything is in sync and running as it should.


Please can somebody help and let me know the best place to take it? I'm based in Gloucester.


Many thanks, Matt.

BrownPantsRacing

iTrader: (6)

Welcome to Snet.

Firstly, get yourself am ODB2 fault code reader. Any should work with your age of car and read the pending and stored fault codes. Could be anything to be honest. Do you know if it was remapped after the exhaust was changed? Could be over boosting for example as a result.

Where you're based you are not a million miles away from Pole Position in Willenhall Birmingham area. Andrew Carr visits them every Thursday to do all of their mapping for their customers and he'd be my choice. Give them a bell.

If you are able to get the codes read post them up and we'll see if anyone can help.

Also, pics of the car!

Tommo1980

Thanks for your fast reply really appreciate it!!


I'll have a look now on the net for a fault code reader then come back with the codes.


Brum is not too far away but don't really want to drive it too far till I know the issue as last thing I want to do is damage it - Is there anybody closer?


I've attached some pics of the car - As I said really standard, apart from exhaust and wheels, so will be looking to improve upon it once I get this eml off


Thanks again, Matt.

BrownPantsRacing

iTrader: (6)

Looks really nice. Find out what the codes are first and that should tell you if it's ok to drive. Should be absolutely fine off boost to be honest and not under strain whatever the problem is.


Personally, I'd rather travel a little to find a Subaru Specialist like Pole Position & Andrew Carr rather than finding someone inferior who'd be guessing closer to home.

Tommo1980

Agreed!


I've just purchased a 'iLC OBD2 OBD Wireless Car Code Reader Scan Tool' from Amazon which I hope to have in the next day or so....as soon as it comes i'll plug it in and see what the crack is then go from there.


Many thanks.

BrownPantsRacing

iTrader: (6)

Nice one. Let us know what stored and pending codes it has.


The codes may clear from the ECU memory over time so you may need to drive it again to get the CEL to come back on and codes to show.

Tommo1980

I'll need to be driving it everyday as I don't have any other way of getting to work so until it arrives I'm just going to have to take the risk - I only do 40 miles per day and will not be driving it hard so fingers crossed hey??!! I've had it ticking over for 30 mins this afternoon and still running smooth so here's hoping........


Oh stop the press a colleague at work has one in his car....i'll plug in now and come back to you.....

Tommo1980

Okay it's a pending fault code of P0420....

BrownPantsRacing

iTrader: (6)

Catalytic converter efficiency below threshold.


So it's purely down to the fact the previous owner changed the exhaust and didn't have it mapped. Nowt else to worry about.


Will be ok to drive. Try and keep it off boost as much as possible until it's remapped.


The previous seller would most certainly have had the CEL on and this fault too. He should have told you this.

boggissimo

https://www.obd-codes.com/p0420
Catalytic converter not working as expected.

I don't know much about bugeye wagons, but the things where the front fog lights usually are don't look normal to me - is there an induction system rather than the standard air box?

Nice to see another wagon on board...

BrownPantsRacing

iTrader: (6)

Also I forgot, could be down to an exhaust leak somewhere in the system. Can you hear the exhaust blowing from any of the joints? Certainly worth a look.


Could be a failed CAT. Hope not.


Could be a failed lambda sensor. If it's throwing this code it's running rich which normally points to the lambda sensor in the headers (pre cat lambda) rather than the one you can see easily after the downpipe.

BrownPantsRacing

iTrader: (6)

Also, if you change the lambda sensor then only fit a genuine Denso O2 sensor.


I had an MOT failure on my last hawkeye as it wouldn't pass emissions. Subaru garage said the CAT was dead and insisted I bought a new one. I proved them wrong by changing the front lambda sensor. Passed easily after that. Worth checking this before touching the CAT in my opinion.

BrownPantsRacing

iTrader: (6)

Good spot on the CAIC intake. I hadn't looked properly and didn't notice that.


Wonder if the OP can put up an engine bay pic?

Dave Y

iTrader: (52)

You also have Thwaites at Warwick,Google is your friend.

johned

Good stuff.

Tommo1980

Goodmorning all.


Firstlyapologies for the delay in response....left my laptop at work in haste to drivethe Scooby home after removing the eml and straight to the hand car wash placeas the sun was out

Abig thanks to you all for your help, comments, guidance and advice....exactlywhat I was after I also meet up with afriend last night who is big into Scooby's and he had a good look over it - Hewas really impressed with the way it ran etc. He was expecting it to be alittle lumpy (as 109k on the clock) but was really impressed as it purrs andhas no obvious issues....so I'm more happy now than ever!!


Torespond to some of the comments: My Scooby has had a cone filter and dump valvefitted at some point hence the induction intake where the fog lights should be- When I bought the car on Tuesday night it has the original parts back on itand the guy just handed me the induction kit and dump valve. I'm not sure ofthe make and whether or not to fit prior to having it mapped?? Any adviceguys??


Idon't think there are any leaks in the exhaust system or issues with the CAT asit went straight through an MOT the day before I bought it, so have 12 monthsMOT on it. The MOT would have picked this up wouldn't it??


I'mgoing to contact Thwaites (TDR) this morning and get it booked in, it's only1.5 hours from my house so that's good They will be able tosort the P0420 issue and also remap the car….i may also get it serviced for peaceof mind - I've done some digging on this forum and apparently they are reallygood so looking forward to getting over there


OnceI'm all sorted I’ll put a post on here to let you all know the outcome


Imust admit even as a standard Scooby I’m well impressed with it, a little oldschool (which I like) but looks, sounds and drives amazing….I'm learning how todrive it now and reminds me of back in the day when I had a Pulsar GTiR &an R32 Skyline GTR….didn't realise how much I missed a good Jap 4-wheel driveturbo


Thanksagain and have a great day!!

BrownPantsRacing

iTrader: (6)

Good work. Won't go wrong with Thwaits. Only ever heard good things about them!


Glad to her you're happy.