Morning chaps

Changed the oil yesterday (03 WRX) and after starting it up the CEL light doesn't go off. I followed the recommended procedure of disconnecting the crank sensor and turning it over until the oil light went off - I assume that this has caused it?

The oil light isn't on, the oil pressure seems normal and there are no fault codes on the ECU (I have a PSI3 Ecu monitor to check these things). Haven't taken it for a run yet but the engine was running fine on the driveway after the change.

I could use the PSI3 to reset the ECU, but don't want to do than unless I know that it was me turning the engine over without the crank sensor connected.

Any ideas?

PS don't want this thread to turn into a do/don't disconnect the crank sensor when doing an oil change! David from API recommends doing it and he knows more in his little finger than I do about engines, and it only takes 2 mins.

 

anyone?

 

you might have to reset the ecu if it has stored the disconnected crank sensor havent heard of it throwing a cel light but might just have been unlucky

 

I assume that I won't lose any stored maps if I reset it? Have a PPP so don't want to lose the prodrive map (even if it is generic and I could get more with a custom map - I know, I'm saving up!)

 

thats a tricky one and i wont lie i dont know if you would lose any stored maps or not sorry.

 

not sure about the map but can guarentee the cel is for no switching(crank sensor)

 

No, it has a non-volatile memory and it doesn't delete map cel values. It just resets the IAM (Ign. Adv. Multiplier) back to the start '8' position (out of 0 - 16). Your timing will be re-optimised - hopefully to the full 16 - after a day or two of varied driving.

Reset to your heart's content lol...

 

u dont think this could be down to the plugs then joz?

 

I'm not going to say I told you so .......... but I did ......... leave those flaming connectors alone!

To help you, you may have disturbed a wire inside the connector? Or even some other wire which is in the area of this connector?

Maybe you need to reset the ECU as it has registered the disconnect as a fault? You did disconnect the right sensor, did you?

 

i agree.

 

a good few 3rd gear hard pulls usually speeds that process up.





have you checked the historic faults too on the psi3 unit as if there is any in there the cel will stay on .
if i remember right you read the ecu then press enter to check the historic codes too.

 

For sure.

 

It is a simple CEL for no switching (crank sensor). You don't need to rip out your wiring harness & renew all your connectors.

I also have a 03 WRX fitted with a PSI3 which I use to reset the ECU. It did not vape my PPP map or my more recent re-map by Pat Herborn.

 

Easy way to get the IAM up to maximum value of 16 (or 1 on 32 bit ecu cars)

- reset ecu
- start engine
- let idle for 30 seconds
- pull away and give it no more than half throttle acceleration in 4th gear between 3000 and 4000 rpm. It needs to be making some boost though so dont drive like a woos.

A few seconds of this and it will be at max.

 

I was aware of this 'trick', but was just a tad sceptical of it (although I'm not disputing it doesn't work).

 

It works.

The IAM advances based on the car operating in a cell in the map where there is prescribed ignition knock advance over a set threshold. On the 06 STi it was 8 degrees iirc. Therefore driving it in areas of the map that ask for more than this additional advance (provided it is det free) will jump the IAM up rapidly.

The WRX has a slightly lower threshold but you can see it jump up in 1/4 steps ie from 8 -> 12 -> 16 or from 0.5 -> 0.75 -> 1 in about 6 seconds.

It will then settle down into fine learning mode.

 

Of course.

Now that I am thinking of it in terms of the map cels, I now understand how it would jump to the next cell, therefore advance, etc...

 

Thats great, thanks for the advice chaps. Will reset and have a play this weekend!