Lambda sensor fault?
#1
Lambda sensor fault?
Got a bit of a weird one with my 2002 wrx, its done it twice now, after a spirited drive the management light comes on, goes into limp mode then cuts out, if left to cool down for a couple of mins all is fine again!
The first time it did it I opened the bonnet and the turbo was glowing bright orange so would indicate overfuelling?
I can only assume that the turbo would have been a similar colour/heat today when it happened.
I plugged into it and got trouble code P1544 which points to lambda sensor. Is it reasonable to assume that a faulty lambda could cause the above fault/s? Just want to be sure before I pay £110 for a new one!
Only mods on the car are: Fully decatted + magnex catback and a blitz dump valve.
Any help really appreciated!
Thanks
Martin
The first time it did it I opened the bonnet and the turbo was glowing bright orange so would indicate overfuelling?
I can only assume that the turbo would have been a similar colour/heat today when it happened.
I plugged into it and got trouble code P1544 which points to lambda sensor. Is it reasonable to assume that a faulty lambda could cause the above fault/s? Just want to be sure before I pay £110 for a new one!
Only mods on the car are: Fully decatted + magnex catback and a blitz dump valve.
Any help really appreciated!
Thanks
Martin
#2
Blimey. The exhaust housing shouldn't get remotely that hot on a standard(ish) WRX. Overfuelling alone shouldn't cause it - unless it's overfuelling grossly enough to be chucking enormous quantities of unburnt mixture down the exhaust manifold.
Your Blitz dumpvalve is probably causing some lift-off overfuel but it's difficult to imagine enough of it to cause the turbo to get that hot.
I'd suggest that you need to have the car looked at to find out what's causing that level of turbo/manifold heating. Given what you're saying the lambda error could be caused simply by the sensor overheating.
If you want to try a process of elimination, get rid of the dumpvalve and put the standard one back on. As above though what you're reporting sounds way out of the normal envelope - I'd be wanting to know exactly what was going on.
Your Blitz dumpvalve is probably causing some lift-off overfuel but it's difficult to imagine enough of it to cause the turbo to get that hot.
I'd suggest that you need to have the car looked at to find out what's causing that level of turbo/manifold heating. Given what you're saying the lambda error could be caused simply by the sensor overheating.
If you want to try a process of elimination, get rid of the dumpvalve and put the standard one back on. As above though what you're reporting sounds way out of the normal envelope - I'd be wanting to know exactly what was going on.
#3
Thanks for the reply. Am I right in thinking that if it were overfuelling that badly that it would be popping and banging alot on overrun> Because it doesn't seem to. When it did it the other day it was left to warm up, driven hard for about 3 miles tops and the turbo was glowing after that short trip!
#5
When it did it the other day it was left to warm up, driven hard for about 3 miles tops and the turbo was glowing after that short trip!
There are the knock-on consequences of overfuelling - possible bore-wash being the main one. On standard management the lambda sensor doesn't actually do anything once the engine's on boost so the main downside's the poor fuel economy.
#6
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Adding fuel (over fuelling) is used to cool the exhaust gas temperatures, it won't increase them! Water cooling of the centre core won't affect turbine housing temperature! (If this were a brain surgery forum I'm sure some of these people would still comment!)
P1544 is manufacturer specific, I have it down as "High exhaust temperature detected" not an Oxygen sensor fault at all......
I would suspect you have a misfire under load, plugs/coils first perhaps?
Simon
P1544 is manufacturer specific, I have it down as "High exhaust temperature detected" not an Oxygen sensor fault at all......
I would suspect you have a misfire under load, plugs/coils first perhaps?
Simon
#7
Water cooling of the centre core won't affect turbine housing temperature!
P1544 is manufacturer specific, I have it down as "High exhaust temperature detected" not an Oxygen sensor fault at all......
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#8
Thanks for the replies. With regards to the cat question I have a straight through 3" downpipe so there are no cats left in the exhaust system atall.
When you say get it looked at, what should we be looking at? Fuelling? timing? etc?
Cheers
Martin
When you say get it looked at, what should we be looking at? Fuelling? timing? etc?
Cheers
Martin
#9
When you say get it looked at, what should we be looking at? Fuelling? timing? etc?
Talking of which, are you sure it's still running a standard ECU, and do you have a boost gauge fitted?
#10
This is the up pipe that I fitted:
SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STi DE CAT DOWNPIPE EXHAUST DECAT on eBay (end time 06-Apr-10 20:56:09 BST)
The car is definitely still running a standard ecu and I do not have a boost guage fitted so no way of telling what it's boosting at!
As I'm sure you can tell I'm new to imprezas but do the ecu's require a reset after any alterations as my uncles skyline required resets as it had a 'self learn' intergrated with the ecu.
SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STi DE CAT DOWNPIPE EXHAUST DECAT on eBay (end time 06-Apr-10 20:56:09 BST)
The car is definitely still running a standard ecu and I do not have a boost guage fitted so no way of telling what it's boosting at!
As I'm sure you can tell I'm new to imprezas but do the ecu's require a reset after any alterations as my uncles skyline required resets as it had a 'self learn' intergrated with the ecu.
#11
This is the up pipe that I fitted:
SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STi DE CAT DOWNPIPE EXHAUST DECAT on eBay (end time 06-Apr-10 20:56:09 BST)
SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STi DE CAT DOWNPIPE EXHAUST DECAT on eBay (end time 06-Apr-10 20:56:09 BST)
As I'm sure you can tell I'm new to imprezas but do the ecu's require a reset after any alterations as my uncles skyline required resets as it had a 'self learn' intergrated with the ecu.
#12
my freind has a simular problem with a beetle. he has poor mpg, over fuelling and the exhaust glows red if he tries to use it.
he has tried all sorts including a new exhaust, new plugs, leads and a temp sensor.
he now suspects lambda sensor.
he has tried all sorts including a new exhaust, new plugs, leads and a temp sensor.
he now suspects lambda sensor.
#16
JGM...i think you are correct! spoke to him at work today and the bloke who looked at it this weekend said the same. he is putting a timing strobe on it wednesday. suspect broken tooth, slipped etc
#17
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odds on passenger side pulleys are 1/2 a tooth out whoever fitted the last cam belt was happy to do this as they move when you release the tensioner . its easy to stop just gently clamp pulleys with rubber jawed mole grips then release tensioner . mine was like this when bought it missed under load and never ran right . a ex subaru wrc engineer i met at a rr day listened to the car running and told me what was wrong , got home remover covers and he was right fitted new belt as above ( didnt have proper pulley clamp) and has been spot on ever since hope this helps
#18
Uk300
I have same code p1544 and p1301 when engine light comes on it won't let me rev car but if I keep trying to rev it clear,s and I can rev up and drive again last time it did it and it cleared up I drove car for 80 miles without problem to next time I started and same problem again :-( I replaced sensor only 2000 miles ago any ideas plz
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