Fantom

Started my 93 WRX coming home from work yesterday, and the electric fan came on instantly along with the Check Engine light, despite it being sub zero temperatures. I ignored it and drove 17 miles home anyway. The car drove fine, no difference at all.
When I got home the electric fan was still running however, and the check engine light still lit.
Then I drove to my girlfriends (25 miles) and the same happened.
However on the way home from gf's, the car had a real problem starting, had to do it about 4 times until I could get the throttle to have an effect. Then I kept it running at 2k for a bit and then it was fine. Still electric fan and check engine light though. This morning it was even harder to start, obviously the auto choke is not working, due to temp sensor being fcuked?
Question is, how do I fix it? need a new thermostat? or are there some things I can check?
Prompt responses required pleeeeease

Fantom

26 views an no replies

spender

I'm no expert but if you connect the connectors together under the dash and and turn the ignition key round one notch ( don't start engine) the CEL light will flash in a sequence and give you a code to tell you what sensor is playing up.

Could be temp sensor, crank position sensor.........

I'm sure a search through General Tech or Drivetrain will produce loads of info.

swan

Can only suggest you get it to your nearest dealer so they can tell you wich error code is being generated.

Fantom

no dealer business as its an import
might have to visit scoobysport but I bet you they are busy

Pete Croney

Hi Fantom

We are busy, but if you come over we will plug it into the Select Monitor straight away and see what is wrong.

My bet is that its your water temperature sensor.

Fantom

Thanks Pete, when can I pop over? sometime tomorrow?

Fantom

however, i should mention that the standard water temp gauge reads as normal just like it always has

Pete Croney

We are solid tomorrow, but will find time to do a quick diagnostic.

It will be next week before we can put any faults rights.

Fantom

shall I ring in the morning and find the best time, or just turn up?
Thanks for this

Pete Croney

Come over at about 1pm

oz555

I had the same problem with my 94. Did an an ecu check and it flashed code 23,engine coolant temp sensor. Have sprayed and cleaned connector with WD40, problem seems to have dissapeared.

ronniebiggs

I had a post up a few days ago, for the same problem. The fault coder is 21 and your problem is the engine coolant temperature sensor. Bit of a bummer to fit but ive done it. Dont have a clue why the fan comes on!! Mine did the same. The only reason I can think is that the car thinks its too warm due to the faulty sensor and therefore puts the fans on to cool it down!!!

You certainly dont need to take it to get the fault code read. You can do it yourself and it wont cost a penny. As the other guys have said, connect the connectors under the dash and flash the code out. But it will definatly be 21.

Hope this helps

Ps. dont worry if more than 1 code comes out. It can be generated by another fault, and may not need changing. Mine flashed 45 out as well. But it didnt need changing.

Fantom

not quite sure about your description connecting the connecters under the dash, but its ok, Scoobysport got the fault code and then reset the ecu. It was fine after that. They said the problem is likely to come back but they have the part in stock so I've left it at the moment and I'll sort it if it happens again however its perfect now
Thanks for the replies guys