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Old 15 November 2010, 11:12 PM
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K1985
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Default First gear boost problems

Had the WRX a week now and already getting Subaru paranoia....some things probably not justified but some definitely are:

When I got the car (94 / 95 my WRX import with RCM 3" straight through exhaust, forge VTA DV, Polar piggyback ECU) the idle was wonky. I checked the stored codes and got CTS, so I replaced the sensor and then reset the ECU.

Ever since the ECU reset, I've had a problem with the boost in first gear.
Prior to the ECU, 1st gear boost was completely different to that of other gears, in that it came in smooth until a sudden punch in the back feeling at around 4500 rpm (guess), whereas all other gears were a more linear climb.

Now, since the ECU reset, if I try to accelerate through first, when I get to 4.5k or 5k rpm, it's as if the turbo stops for a second, as if it's died, then a bit of a backfire as it kicks back in for about 500 rpm upto say 6k (RPMS are rough estimates)

I'm mega worried about this, particularly with the undiagnosed rattle from the turbo area, which I haven't figured out if it's the turbo or the heatshield. This, coupled with the fact that I seem to have either a dodgy MAF or IACV, is making it hard for me to pinpoint the issue.

Anyone got any clues? Pleeeeaaassseee!!!!

Last edited by K1985; 15 November 2010 at 11:38 PM. Reason: Didn't read right, see post 2 and 3 lol
Old 15 November 2010, 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by K1985
so I replaced and reset the ECU.
Did you replace the ECU, or replace the faulty part?
Old 15 November 2010, 11:37 PM
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Sorry mate, replaced the faulty CTS and reset the ECU to clear the fault code
Old 16 November 2010, 07:42 AM
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Checked it this morning for clarification purposes. Seems to happen at 4k, and then sort of stutters and goes to 5k. All other gears boost fine.

Any ideas?
Old 16 November 2010, 08:29 AM
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OK, so after a lot of reading it seems to be overboosting, but only since I did the ECU reset. It may be worth noting that I had taken some pipes off to replace the CTS prior to this occurring so I'm wondering if I have a leak somewhere, but surely this should affect the boost in every gear?

No matter how I drive it, first is a problem. It won't let me climb through the range gently or foot to the floor.

Anyone tell me if the boost solenoid could be to blame for this - and is it possible that this could rattle (have a rattle around the turbo area ) If so, where is / what is it?

Cheers

Last edited by K1985; 16 November 2010 at 08:30 AM.
Old 16 November 2010, 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by K1985
When I got the car (94 / 95 my WRX import with RCM 3" straight through exhaust, forge VTA DV, Polar piggyback ECU) the idle was wonky. I checked the stored codes and got CTS, so I replaced the sensor and then reset the ECU.

Try either refitting a standard DV or remove and blank off the Forge DV to see if it cures it.

What exactly is a 'Polar piggyback ECU'?



Originally Posted by K1985
Ever since the ECU reset, I've had a problem with the boost in first gear.
Prior to the ECU, 1st gear boost was completely different to that of other gears, in that it came in smooth until a sudden punch in the back feeling at around 4500 rpm (guess), whereas all other gears were a more linear climb.

Now, since the ECU reset, if I try to accelerate through first, when I get to 4.5k or 5k rpm, it's as if the turbo stops for a second, as if it's died, then a bit of a backfire as it kicks back in for about 500 rpm upto say 6k (RPMS are rough estimates)

OK, so after a lot of reading it seems to be overboosting, but only since I did the ECU reset. It may be worth noting that I had taken some pipes off to replace the CTS prior to this occurring so I'm wondering if I have a leak somewhere, but surely this should affect the boost in every gear?

Can't see it overboosting in 1st @4-5k.

What does your boost gauge say, when the cut occures?

How much fuel have you got in the tank??



Originally Posted by K1985
No matter how I drive it, first is a problem. It won't let me climb through the range gently or foot to the floor.
So most possibly not overboost.


Originally Posted by K1985
Anyone tell me if the boost solenoid could be to blame for this - and is it possible that this could rattle (have a rattle around the turbo area ) If so, where is / what is it?
You need to get that diagnosed asap.
Old 16 November 2010, 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by b13bat
Try either refitting a standard DV or remove and blank off the Forge DV to see if it cures it.

Will do...is it just a case of sticking a bung in the pipe in place of the DV?

What exactly is a 'Polar piggyback ECU'?

See here https://www.scoobynet.com/general-te...ance-chip.html




Can't see it overboosting in 1st @4-5k.

Agreed, I thought it strange, but couldn't understand what else it could be

What does your boost gauge say, when the cut occures?

No boost gauge yet, only had the car for 9 days so not had time to research and buy

How much fuel have you got in the tank??

3/4 tank Tesco 99






You need to get that diagnosed asap.

Will be going to enginetuner soon to get the car looked over, it's just having the time, will just have to drive off boost til then. Doesn't sound like it's from the turbo, just in that area, IYSWIM.

Would cleaning the boost solenoid help (possibly?)

Will be cleaning my MAF today to see if it clears up the wonky idle a bit, if so I'll buy a new one.


Cheers mate, you seem genuinely helpful on here.
Old 16 November 2010, 12:31 PM
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Originally Posted by b13bat
What exactly is a 'Polar piggyback ECU'?
Think he means the Polar Performance Chip that Scott.t did a few years back... Pretty much what Major Sarcasm is selling now.
Old 16 November 2010, 01:12 PM
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Just sprayed electrical contact cleaner on my maf, so hopefully that'll help a bit.

While I was there I checked all I'd undone on Saturday and found the hose under the intercooler which goes into the turbo was in place but jubilee clip wasn't tightened. Duh.

At work so not got chance to go try it out but could this have been the cause? Bearing in mind the problem only began when I changed the sensor?
Old 16 November 2010, 02:37 PM
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Originally Posted by K1985
Would cleaning the boost solenoid help (possibly?)
It will not hurt, but i doubt it will solve your issues.

Originally Posted by K1985
Will be cleaning my MAF today to see if it clears up the wonky idle a bit, if so I'll buy a new one.

Originally Posted by K1985
Cheers mate, you seem genuinely helpful on here.
Thankyou very much. I try.

Originally Posted by Jamz_
Think he means the Polar Performance Chip that Scott.t did a few years back... Pretty much what Major Sarcasm is selling now.
Yeah, i thought so. But i hate assuming.

Originally Posted by K1985
Just sprayed electrical contact cleaner on my maf, so hopefully that'll help a bit.



Originally Posted by K1985
While I was there I checked all I'd undone on Saturday and found the hose under the intercooler which goes into the turbo was in place but jubilee clip wasn't tightened. Duh.
Duh, indeed. Again, it will not of been helping your cause.

Originally Posted by K1985
...could this have been the cause? Bearing in mind the problem only began when I changed the sensor?
I don't know. But i'm sure you'll tell us either way later this afternoon.
Old 16 November 2010, 03:38 PM
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Hold on to your hats then batman, be back at 5:30 with more tales of Impreza woe!
Old 16 November 2010, 03:51 PM
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Defo try blocking your DV off and also check your sparks.
Old 16 November 2010, 06:14 PM
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Haha!!!

Was due to the pipe not being tightened. What a retard! Still a slight little kick in the back in first mid boost but it's a good kick not a naughty one! (I hope)


My MAF cleaning has helped a little, hasn't tried to cut out once on the way home lol. It has dropped down to very low revs a couple times, but think this is pointing towards IACV now as after changing the CTS and cleaning the MAF the symptoms have got less and less severe.

IACV cleaning it is then!

As for the rattle - it's louder if I lay on the floor on the drivers side of the car than it is if I look at the the turbo from the top with the bonnet up. It sounds sort of like something rattling inside the exhaust. More investigation is required I think.


Cheers for you help guys!!!

Last edited by K1985; 16 November 2010 at 06:15 PM.
Old 16 November 2010, 06:41 PM
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Good.

Decatted RCM 3", not alot to rattle about inside that.

Get underneath it and have a bang around the on the exhaust. My money is still on the uppipe.
Old 16 November 2010, 06:54 PM
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cheers mate!
Old 17 November 2010, 08:13 AM
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All is now good with the boosting by the seems of things.

Still don't understand the whole IAM coutning thing, is there a info page anywhere?


This morning driving to work in the seriosuly bad rain on dual carriageway my CEL came on, checked the code and it is code 32. Intrigued by this as I have a decat. Someone said on another site it could be that something got wet and it's nothing to worry about, but I'd trust it more from someone more knowledgable here lol

Any clues?
Old 17 November 2010, 08:57 AM
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Code 32 is the O2 sensor, or Lambda Sensor.
Old 17 November 2010, 09:09 AM
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Originally Posted by musso2010
Code 32 is the O2 sensor, or Lambda Sensor.

Have a decat so no lambda?
Old 17 November 2010, 09:31 AM
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Originally Posted by K1985
Have a decat so no lambda?
There will be a Lambda in the headers somewhere. IIRC there are two sensors.
Old 17 November 2010, 09:36 AM
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Originally Posted by musso2010
There will be a Lambda in the headers somewhere. IIRC there are two sensors.
Ok cool ta. This'll be fun. The engine light came on for about 3 minutes then went out. I'll clear the codes and monitor the situation for a bit I reckon.
Old 17 November 2010, 10:46 AM
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Originally Posted by musso2010
There will be a Lambda in the headers somewhere. IIRC there are two sensors.

Mosso is correct.

The cat on fire sensor is usually located in the downpipe. But has probably been removed.

You won't have to worry about monitoring the sensor, just watch your fuel gauge.

Last edited by Glowplug; 17 November 2010 at 11:01 AM.
Old 17 November 2010, 11:03 AM
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Haha ok.

Funnily enough, since the CTS change and an ecu reset, my fuel consumption has improved massively.

Last tank (sainsburys SUL 97) gave me approx 155 miles from full to quarter of a tank (3/4 of a tank!).

This tank (tesco 99) has done over 100 miles on just over a quarter of the tank. Who knows haha
Old 17 November 2010, 04:15 PM
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Originally Posted by b13bat
Mosso is correct.

The cat on fire sensor is usually located in the downpipe. But has probably been removed.

You won't have to worry about monitoring the sensor, just watch your fuel gauge.

What is the cat on fire sensor actually for? I have a decatted downpipe and i still have the sensor connected???

Matt
Old 17 November 2010, 06:58 PM
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Originally Posted by musso2010
What is the cat on fire sensor actually for?
It's proper name is a 'Exhaust Gas Tempreture' (ETG) sensor. It, if fitted will throw a light on the dash if the gases get too hot, to prevent the cats cooking.



Originally Posted by musso2010
I have a decatted downpipe and i still have the sensor connected???
If you have no cats, there for nothing to cook.
I have a decat and the sensor removed (MY93 Classic), with no issues, you should be fine on a MY95. However, on a new age you would require either a resistor to fool the ECU or it can be deleted via a tweak to the map.
Old 17 November 2010, 07:37 PM
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Originally Posted by b13bat
It's proper name is a 'Exhaust Gas Tempreture' (ETG) sensor. It, if fitted will throw a light on the dash if the gases get too hot, to prevent the cats cooking.





If you have no cats, there for nothing to cook.
I have a decat and the sensor removed (MY93 Classic), with no issues, you should be fine on a MY95. However, on a new age you would require either a resistor to fool the ECU or it can be deleted via a tweak to the map.
Thanks Bat, another great reply.

Matt
Old 17 November 2010, 10:04 PM
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From my reading, I believe I have found the location of the o2 sensor. Apparently if I look under the front bumper on the drivers side, it should be there, and I can get a pattern one for 25 quid from Hellfrauds
Old 17 November 2010, 10:18 PM
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Originally Posted by K1985
From my reading, I believe I have found the location of the o2 sensor. Apparently if I look under the front bumper on the drivers side, it should be there, and I can get a pattern one for 25 quid from Hellfrauds
Your navigation skills aren't too bad. It is located in the drivers side header (exhaust manifold). It can be seen either by sliding under the car or looking down between the OE airbox and the rocker cover.

I'm not sure how good or what brand the Halfrauds ones are, but i would/did buy one of these Bosch LS02's.
I did by a cheaper one at first but that only lasted for 100 miles.

Can you spot the difference??



Last edited by Glowplug; 17 November 2010 at 10:24 PM.
Old 17 November 2010, 10:30 PM
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[quote=b13bat;9718839] Your navigation skills aren't too bad. It is located in the drivers side header (exhaust manifold). It can be seen either by sliding under the car or looking down between the OE airbox and the rocker cover.

Now, heres a thing....when I look down here I see a heatshield. And on top of that heat shield, just happily laying there without a care in the world, is a black wire with what looks like a little metal connector (sort of like a bullet connector) on it.

hmmmmm


I'm not sure how good or what brand the Halfrauds ones are, but i would/did buy one of these Bosch LS02's.
I did by a cheaper one at first but that only lasted for 100 miles.

Can you spot the difference??


Is the top one the good one, bottom the cheapo?

Last edited by K1985; 17 November 2010 at 10:31 PM.
Old 17 November 2010, 11:11 PM
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Originally Posted by K1985
Now, heres a thing....when I look down here I see a heatshield. And on top of that heat shield, just happily laying there without a care in the world, is a black wire with what looks like a little metal connector (sort of like a bullet connector) on it.
When you buy the universal ones, they don't come with OE loom plug so you have to cut the loom and join the one black and two white wires with the (usually) supplied connectors. So, yes, could be.

Originally Posted by K1985
Is the top one the good one, bottom the cheapo?
Correct, the top one is the LS02.
As you can see, even the wiring is of better quality.

Last edited by Glowplug; 17 November 2010 at 11:13 PM.
Old 17 November 2010, 11:23 PM
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Cool, cheers for your help mate.

Will look at it more tomorrow!


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