karllap

Hi,
I have got my first impreza turbo which is a 2001 wrx. The problem is I don't think its pulling properly. It seemed pretty fast when I test drove it but not breathtaking but I just put that down to over expectations.
Anyway now I've had chance to drive it properly it definately isn't pulling as it should. Its a bit sluggish then the turbo kicks in at about 3k, it then starts to pull but not as I think it should do, its also bit hesitant like a misfire or something and when it gets to about 4 1/2-5k revs it really stutters.

I've been searching on here and I'm finding threads about the cel, I haven't any lights coming on the dash but I can't see a cel light when I turn the electrics on either.

1st, any body any ideas what could be wrong with the car, ie basic checks before I get it booked in?

2nd, where is the cel, what does it look like and should it come when I turn the ignition on.

Sorry for the long thread.

johnnyroper

the cel should come on when you first turn ignition on,once engine is running if all is ok it should go off within a few seconds it is an orange engine shaped light directly above the temp gauge on my 2004 blobeye,i take it yours is a bugeye so i would think it is the same as mine.
if it does not work i would suspect it has been removed to hide a fault,best to get it plugged in to a diagnostic machine and see what is going on before some damage is caused if that is the case

funkyspider

Im sure my CEL comes on in the first ignition position on MY01 bugeye. Its an orange engine shaped light.

Could be coil pack, leads, plugs (quite common for these symptoms as a weaker spark shows itself under load), MAF (more unusual on a newage) or one of the many sensors. I wouldnt drive it hard for now in case the CEL bulb isnt working and you have a fault registering. ECU diagnostic will tell you if there's any faults logged.

Has it had any mods?
Does it make any difference what fuel you run it on.

Where abouts are you, try a local club to see if anyone has OBD diagnostics (5min job to check fault codes logged by ecu) before taking it to a dealer, alternatively Im sure you will get a recomendation for a specialist in your area.

funkyspider

SNAP !

Midlife......

iTrader: (2)

Welcome to bugeye ownership

Where are you ?

Shaun

karllap

Thanks for the help, I live near Warrington in the North West, is there any place close that people could recommend?

I have a standard obd cable that I used to reset the error codes on my golf useing a free piece of VAG software. Is there any kind of software out there that I could use on the impreza or is it a totally different setup.

Still loving the car by the way, even at half speed.

Oh, and its totally standard at the minute apart from morette head lights. Hoping to get a panel filter, decat centre and back box soon though.

c_maguire

If you have the right cable you can use ecuExplorer ( stick that in Yahoo or Google ) which is a free download for fault finding, resetting ecu or reading error codes.
Kevin

funkyspider

Subaru is a standard OBD-II which you will find on the drivers side above the footwell (just around where your knees are). Im not sure if it differs from VW but I'm sure you will find the answer in Google.

I suppose you can choose a cpl of local clubs for warrington
LADS :: Index
Subaru Club of SMACS, South Manchester And Cheshire Scooby's

I'm from Accrington area (in LADS) and have cable/software which I could lend you if you get really stuck.

karllap

Cheers for all the help.
after a bity of investigation it appears that I have been conned. After taking the dash out to check the cel light I have found that the sneaky little bar steward has covered it with black insulation tape . Give him his due though he has done a very neat job of it.

I've been on to him about it and he said that it must have been like that when he got it and he's never noticed.

Anyway the cel is now shining brightly which funnily enough I'm happy about cos at least I now know there is defo something wrong with the car.

I shall follow your advice and check out on tyhe LAds index to see if there is any one close who can check it out.

Thanks for the very kind offer funkyspider but I'm a bit worried of driving it to far now.

funkyspider

Have you checked if your VW OBD-II cable will connect to the subaru port. If you know what make the connector is then someone will probably know. You can use ecuExplorer (free software) to read the codes or if that doesn't work I can lend you a copy of Digimoto.

I'd be interested to know what fault code has been logged if they taped the CEL up to hide it rather than just fixing it.

johnnyroper

the lengths some people will go to in order to hide a fault,conning w@nkers
hope it does not turn out to be expensive to put right

karllap

It turns out that the cel light was a red herring, the local garage reset it for me as he said it was on old code and since then it hasn't come back on.

However the car still isn't running right. I have changed the plugs, coil packs and have cleaned the maf using carb cleaner but it still seems the same.

Any body got any more ideas or if not anybody recomend a garage that I can take it to for them to have a look?

Thanks

funkyspider

Depends which way you want to travel.

I use CotComp Cotcomp Home which is towards lancaster (the right side for you). I've found Steve Cotton provides very good service, very knowlegable and always offers good advise. Wouldn't hesitate to take mine to him for any diagnostics.

Give him a ring I'm sure he'll be happy to have a chat.