Engine Check Light
16 November 2009, 07:30 PM
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Engine Check Light
Hi,
Well took a nice trip to wales this weekend (pembrokeshire).
The journey there was done in quite a storm and the car really came into its own, handled brilliant, it never skipped a beat.
However, come sunday and the journey back, i got a bit of nasty smell in the car and about 45miles into the journey the engine check light came on (red light).
I pulled over as soon as i could (after a further 2miles). I called the AA and he came out. He checked the car over and couldn't really find anything. We checked the oil as i had it recently changed i didn't expect anyting wrong but it seemed to have used about ltr and a half of oil since being serviced on Thursday. We drove a further 5 miles to the garage, teh check light had gone off in the interim. Filled up the oil and decided to turn back as was late.
The check light came back on and it seemed to be running quite rough on the journey back. Seemed just to be a bit spluttery and may be a misfire.
I got it into the local car dealers and they had a look over it this mornig and gave her the all clear to head home. They advised that the code was 32 - 02 sensor but having tested it they advised it was fine and had good voltage.
Travelling back through swansea/cardiff the check light came back on and despite remaining on for a further 250 miles the car has got us home. The car seemed to boost quite early and there was quite a high pitched whistle to the boost, but cruised fine. It wasn't till slowing down to traffic speed that it seemed a bit lurchy and rough again.
I'm stumped - anyone got an idea? I'm going to try and get her into scoobyworld or scoobyclinic or someone local ish to b'ham that know their stuff but i'd like some idea of what to expect when its looked at?
sorry for the length of the post.
Well took a nice trip to wales this weekend (pembrokeshire).
The journey there was done in quite a storm and the car really came into its own, handled brilliant, it never skipped a beat.
However, come sunday and the journey back, i got a bit of nasty smell in the car and about 45miles into the journey the engine check light came on (red light).
I pulled over as soon as i could (after a further 2miles). I called the AA and he came out. He checked the car over and couldn't really find anything. We checked the oil as i had it recently changed i didn't expect anyting wrong but it seemed to have used about ltr and a half of oil since being serviced on Thursday. We drove a further 5 miles to the garage, teh check light had gone off in the interim. Filled up the oil and decided to turn back as was late.
The check light came back on and it seemed to be running quite rough on the journey back. Seemed just to be a bit spluttery and may be a misfire.
I got it into the local car dealers and they had a look over it this mornig and gave her the all clear to head home. They advised that the code was 32 - 02 sensor but having tested it they advised it was fine and had good voltage.
Travelling back through swansea/cardiff the check light came back on and despite remaining on for a further 250 miles the car has got us home. The car seemed to boost quite early and there was quite a high pitched whistle to the boost, but cruised fine. It wasn't till slowing down to traffic speed that it seemed a bit lurchy and rough again.
I'm stumped - anyone got an idea? I'm going to try and get her into scoobyworld or scoobyclinic or someone local ish to b'ham that know their stuff but i'd like some idea of what to expect when its looked at?
sorry for the length of the post.
16 November 2009, 07:38 PM
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First things first, what are you driving? Model year and type is rather significant and it's quicker for you to tell us than expect us to guess. Beyond that, no answers at this point but hopefully some questions that will help smoke one out.
Has the oil consumption continued, and can you characterise the "nasty smell"? Burning oil? Petrol? Britney Spears' perfume? Cow sh*t?
Also, seeing as this is all proximal to a service, was this done at the random garage down the road or someone who genuinely knows how to work on an Impreza?
Has the oil consumption continued, and can you characterise the "nasty smell"? Burning oil? Petrol? Britney Spears' perfume? Cow sh*t?
Also, seeing as this is all proximal to a service, was this done at the random garage down the road or someone who genuinely knows how to work on an Impreza?
16 November 2009, 11:16 PM
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First things first, what are you driving? Model year and type is rather significant and it's quicker for you to tell us than expect us to guess. Beyond that, no answers at this point but hopefully some questions that will help smoke one out.
Has the oil consumption continued, and can you characterise the "nasty smell"? Burning oil? Petrol? Britney Spears' perfume? Cow sh*t?
Also, seeing as this is all proximal to a service, was this done at the random garage down the road or someone who genuinely knows how to work on an Impreza?
Has the oil consumption continued, and can you characterise the "nasty smell"? Burning oil? Petrol? Britney Spears' perfume? Cow sh*t?
Also, seeing as this is all proximal to a service, was this done at the random garage down the road or someone who genuinely knows how to work on an Impreza?
smell is kind of rich like almost burnt petrol or plastic
the service was by a very good mechanic but he's not a specialist in subaru's no. i've had him work on many cars of mine some high performance too and never a problem before, so would trust his work.
16 November 2009, 11:33 PM
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Trusting the bloke is fair enough - but there are areas where these cars need specific attention and techniques - so worth you making sure he knows.
What's the latest with the oil level, has it stabilised after the initial apparent drop, or is it still using?
Seeing as it's a classic first thing for you to do is to look up the function of the under-dash black and green plugs and the light flash sequencing, if you don't already know. Then do the black plugs to check and note any current errors, then both of them to reset the ECU and keep a very close eye on the CEL from that point.
If you're lucky it may have been some sort of transient that sorted itself out, if not, first time the CEL comes back on, stop the car immediately and do the black plugs.
Need to get a good handle on that oil issue as well. Take it you've had a good peek round the engine (or the floor beneath it) and eliminated the possibility of a leak?
What's the latest with the oil level, has it stabilised after the initial apparent drop, or is it still using?
Seeing as it's a classic first thing for you to do is to look up the function of the under-dash black and green plugs and the light flash sequencing, if you don't already know. Then do the black plugs to check and note any current errors, then both of them to reset the ECU and keep a very close eye on the CEL from that point.
If you're lucky it may have been some sort of transient that sorted itself out, if not, first time the CEL comes back on, stop the car immediately and do the black plugs.
Need to get a good handle on that oil issue as well. Take it you've had a good peek round the engine (or the floor beneath it) and eliminated the possibility of a leak?
17 November 2009, 03:37 PM
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yeah, the sump is fully intact as is the slam panel underneath, there don't appear to be any leaks and everything looks extremely clean and leak free. That makes me slightly worried over where a ltr of oil can just dissappear too? 
Anyway, i'll check the level when i get home tonight see if its stabilised or used any since we topped it up on Sunday night.
I've checked the faults - it returns code 32 which i believe is this
A/F Sensor #1 System if my reading of it is correct.
Now thats the 02 sensor on the downpipe isn't it? What can cause this CEL - has anyone had this fault before and if so what happened? If she is eating oil and the smell i'm getting is unburnt fuel i assume that in combination with this CEL code it can't be great news. d'oh.
Anyway, i'll check the level when i get home tonight see if its stabilised or used any since we topped it up on Sunday night.
I've checked the faults - it returns code 32 which i believe is this
A/F Sensor #1 System if my reading of it is correct.
Now thats the 02 sensor on the downpipe isn't it? What can cause this CEL - has anyone had this fault before and if so what happened? If she is eating oil and the smell i'm getting is unburnt fuel i assume that in combination with this CEL code it can't be great news. d'oh.
17 November 2009, 04:07 PM
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yeah, the sump is fully intact as is the slam panel underneath, there don't appear to be any leaks and everything looks extremely clean and leak free. That makes me slightly worried over where a ltr of oil can just dissappear too?
Anyway, i'll check the level when i get home tonight see if its stabilised or used any since we topped it up on Sunday night.
I've checked the faults - it returns code 32 which i believe is this
A/F Sensor #1 System if my reading of it is correct.
Now thats the 02 sensor on the downpipe isn't it? What can cause this CEL - has anyone had this fault before and if so what happened? If she is eating oil and the smell i'm getting is unburnt fuel i assume that in combination with this CEL code it can't be great news. d'oh.
Anyway, i'll check the level when i get home tonight see if its stabilised or used any since we topped it up on Sunday night.
I've checked the faults - it returns code 32 which i believe is this
A/F Sensor #1 System if my reading of it is correct.
Now thats the 02 sensor on the downpipe isn't it? What can cause this CEL - has anyone had this fault before and if so what happened? If she is eating oil and the smell i'm getting is unburnt fuel i assume that in combination with this CEL code it can't be great news. d'oh.
just trolling the site for similar issues - thinking about it and in combination of what others have said about 02 sensors on theirs, i have a couple more symptoms
1) Idle - last week although it settles at roughly 750rpm, when the car starts she starts very high 1750 and stays there for some time, till warm. When driving, and in particular, motorway driving or extended periods of 55mph plus, when coming to a halt the idle will drop to almost 200rpm before "seeking" out a higher level, this happens for first two/three stops then it just evens out and stays there.
2) I did fit an aftermarket induction kit a few months ago but removed it after two weeks of driving as the car dropped into limp home mode afew times, I refitted the factory intake and replaced the filter using an aftermarket panel filter instead and replaced the MAF and it seemed fine - i've read that the MAF may be causing the 02 sensor to die though is that true?
Just thought id add these to the list incase anyone spots it and thinks "ahh i know whats causing that ...."
17 November 2009, 04:43 PM
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If the oil level hasn't dropped any further since you refilled it, the likeliest assumption, in the absence of any other evidence, is that it wasn't properly filled during the change. Well over a litre could "disappear" for example, simply by fitting a dry filter, filling the sump with new oil to the top mark on the dipstick, and then sending it out without any further checking.
That would be a totally slipshod and unacceptable way of doing it, but it would explain your experience - if the oil level is now constant. Is this a possible explanation - or did you do the last change yourself (or see it being done) and thus know it was carried out correctly?
Error 32 is the O2 sensor on the downpipe. The slightly perverse thing is that when these start to go, they most often don't cause the CEL to light up, so in some ways it's surprising that you have the error.
A failing MAF sensor won't directly kill an O2 sensor.
Re. the idle issues, 1700rpm or so is normal on a stone cold engine within a second or two of start - but should then begin to drop almost immediately, down to under 1500 within 5 seconds and continuing down. If it stays over the 1700 mark for "a while" then something doesn't seem to be right.
The "engine almost stalling before seeking a higher idle speed" is one of the characteristics of a failing airflow sensor, but there are other causes (failing O2 sensor can, annoyingly, cause it too). If you could measure or datalog the MAF output you'd know for sure. If you can't, trying another sensor is probably the way forward.
If you have the old MAF you took out of the induction kit it might even be worth temporarily swapping that in and noting any changes in the engine's behaviour. Don't drive the car hard on it, just see if there's any alteration in the idle/cutting out etc. If things do noticeably alter, order a new sensor.
What make is the aftermarket panel filter btw? Not an oily/gunky one? Also, the unusual idle behaviour you've noticed in the last week. Did this all start after the service, or at some other point you can identify, or did it start kindof gradually and get worse?
That would be a totally slipshod and unacceptable way of doing it, but it would explain your experience - if the oil level is now constant. Is this a possible explanation - or did you do the last change yourself (or see it being done) and thus know it was carried out correctly?
Error 32 is the O2 sensor on the downpipe. The slightly perverse thing is that when these start to go, they most often don't cause the CEL to light up, so in some ways it's surprising that you have the error.
A failing MAF sensor won't directly kill an O2 sensor.
Re. the idle issues, 1700rpm or so is normal on a stone cold engine within a second or two of start - but should then begin to drop almost immediately, down to under 1500 within 5 seconds and continuing down. If it stays over the 1700 mark for "a while" then something doesn't seem to be right.
The "engine almost stalling before seeking a higher idle speed" is one of the characteristics of a failing airflow sensor, but there are other causes (failing O2 sensor can, annoyingly, cause it too). If you could measure or datalog the MAF output you'd know for sure. If you can't, trying another sensor is probably the way forward.
If you have the old MAF you took out of the induction kit it might even be worth temporarily swapping that in and noting any changes in the engine's behaviour. Don't drive the car hard on it, just see if there's any alteration in the idle/cutting out etc. If things do noticeably alter, order a new sensor.
What make is the aftermarket panel filter btw? Not an oily/gunky one? Also, the unusual idle behaviour you've noticed in the last week. Did this all start after the service, or at some other point you can identify, or did it start kindof gradually and get worse?
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17 November 2009, 04:58 PM
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If the oil level hasn't dropped any further since you refilled it, the likeliest assumption, in the absence of any other evidence, is that it wasn't properly filled during the change. Well over a litre could "disappear" for example, simply by fitting a dry filter, filling the sump with new oil to the top mark on the dipstick, and then sending it out without any further checking.
That would be a totally slipshod and unacceptable way of doing it, but it would explain your experience - if the oil level is now constant. Is this a possible explanation - or did you do the last change yourself (or see it being done) and thus know it was carried out correctly?
Error 32 is the O2 sensor on the downpipe. The slightly perverse thing is that when these start to go, they most often don't cause the CEL to light up, so in some ways it's surprising that you have the error.
A failing MAF sensor won't directly kill an O2 sensor.
Re. the idle issues, 1700rpm or so is normal on a stone cold engine within a second or two of start - but should then begin to drop almost immediately, down to under 1500 within 5 seconds and continuing down. If it stays over the 1700 mark for "a while" then something doesn't seem to be right.
The "engine almost stalling before seeking a higher idle speed" is one of the characteristics of a failing airflow sensor, but there are other causes (failing O2 sensor can, annoyingly, cause it too). If you could measure or datalog the MAF output you'd know for sure. If you can't, trying another sensor is probably the way forward.
If you have the old MAF you took out of the induction kit it might even be worth temporarily swapping that in and noting any changes in the engine's behaviour. Don't drive the car hard on it, just see if there's any alteration in the idle/cutting out etc. If things do noticeably alter, order a new sensor.
What make is the aftermarket panel filter btw? Not an oily/gunky one? Also, the unusual idle behaviour you've noticed in the last week. Did this all start after the service, or at some other point you can identify, or did it start kindof gradually and get worse?
That would be a totally slipshod and unacceptable way of doing it, but it would explain your experience - if the oil level is now constant. Is this a possible explanation - or did you do the last change yourself (or see it being done) and thus know it was carried out correctly?
Error 32 is the O2 sensor on the downpipe. The slightly perverse thing is that when these start to go, they most often don't cause the CEL to light up, so in some ways it's surprising that you have the error.
A failing MAF sensor won't directly kill an O2 sensor.
Re. the idle issues, 1700rpm or so is normal on a stone cold engine within a second or two of start - but should then begin to drop almost immediately, down to under 1500 within 5 seconds and continuing down. If it stays over the 1700 mark for "a while" then something doesn't seem to be right.
The "engine almost stalling before seeking a higher idle speed" is one of the characteristics of a failing airflow sensor, but there are other causes (failing O2 sensor can, annoyingly, cause it too). If you could measure or datalog the MAF output you'd know for sure. If you can't, trying another sensor is probably the way forward.
If you have the old MAF you took out of the induction kit it might even be worth temporarily swapping that in and noting any changes in the engine's behaviour. Don't drive the car hard on it, just see if there's any alteration in the idle/cutting out etc. If things do noticeably alter, order a new sensor.
What make is the aftermarket panel filter btw? Not an oily/gunky one? Also, the unusual idle behaviour you've noticed in the last week. Did this all start after the service, or at some other point you can identify, or did it start kindof gradually and get worse?
The oil i'll need to check when i get in from work, but i reckon you may be right in the assumption that it was down to the way the car was serviced, unfortunately i wasn't present when it was carried out. Like i say the mechanic is a good mechanic, i did mention the procedures of doing a change on the impreza as i knew it wasn't as simple as doing your bogstandard fiesta, unfortunately, it may appear although he agreed he didn't actually have a clue. That's more than a little unfortunate and i'm hoping not a costly mistake to have made on my part.
In terms of the idle - 1700 it starts out and does drop nigh on immediately to 1500 thats right. But the idle does definitely nearly die. I had left the service a little longer than i would have liked about 1000 miles longer, but i have noticed these symptoms begin over the last may be 4 weeks or so (service was last week) so figured changing the oil, filters, plugs and leads would perhaps be a good place to start as i just felt she was running a little rougher than when i bought her. That said i've put a lot of miles on her since my purchase in July - 8k approx.
The filter i am now using is an " afterburner" paper foam filter from scoobyworld - doesn't use oil as specifically developed not too due to the fragile MAF's on the classics. So i don't think it could be the filter.
Unfortunately i don't have the facility to datalog the MAF else i would follow your advice - i think from here on in i will book her in with a "local" ish subaru specialist - arden subaru, they are in Warwickshire which is closest to me (sutton coldfield) and have been recommended.
Thanks for your help mate - it's been appreciated. I'll post up as soon as i've heard whats happening after i get it into the garage.
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