Forgot I had the car in diagnostics mode!
17 February 2012, 12:20 AM
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Forgot I had the car in diagnostics mode!
So... I;ve slent that last week trying to diagnose my sick 1996 classic impreza WRX import.
So it's throwing a 'check engine light' so I connected the two black wires to read the codes, after playing with the electrics I connected the green wires to reset the ECU to see if that had helped. I didnt want to reset, I assumed it was because the fault wasn't fixed.
Anyway, I have a but more of a fiddle with some wires, put her back together and try to start her up... oh no, I forgot to unplug the black and green wires!!!
Now she's not turning over and I dont know if it's part of the original problem, a new problem cause by fiddling with the engine or a new problem caused by trying to start the car in diagnositcs mode!
Does anyone know if I may have messed up the ECU?
So it's throwing a 'check engine light' so I connected the two black wires to read the codes, after playing with the electrics I connected the green wires to reset the ECU to see if that had helped. I didnt want to reset, I assumed it was because the fault wasn't fixed.
Anyway, I have a but more of a fiddle with some wires, put her back together and try to start her up... oh no, I forgot to unplug the black and green wires!!!
Now she's not turning over and I dont know if it's part of the original problem, a new problem cause by fiddling with the engine or a new problem caused by trying to start the car in diagnositcs mode!
Does anyone know if I may have messed up the ECU?
17 February 2012, 12:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Jolly Green Monster.
ECU Reset and Error codes
Turn OFF the ignition
Connect Error code Connectors and Test Mode Connectors :
2 black connectors under dash, connect black to black and 2 green connectors under dash, connect green to green, they are by your left knee when sat in the drivers seat and often taped back to the loom if they haven't been used before.
Turn ON ignition but don't start the engine
Engine Check lamp comes on
Press accelerator pedal to the floor
Then return it to the half-throttle position and hold it there for two seconds
Release foot off the pedal completely
Start the engine
Check engine light error code is indicated by Pulsing lamp
If an error is detected then Check the ECU Code
If no error is detected - drive the car sensible for a couple of minutes
i.e. until warm (do not use boost or high rpm!)
When the ECU has been reset the Check Engine Light will flash
An Error Code is indicated by a flashing check engine light
of varying length of flash,
a flash of around once a second is the okay code and indicates all is well.
If an error code is detected Check the ECU Code
Turn ignition OFF and Disconnect Connectors
If there is a fault Check the Appropriate Sensor
Turn OFF the ignition
Connect Error code Connectors and Test Mode Connectors :
2 black connectors under dash, connect black to black and 2 green connectors under dash, connect green to green, they are by your left knee when sat in the drivers seat and often taped back to the loom if they haven't been used before.
Turn ON ignition but don't start the engine
Engine Check lamp comes on
Press accelerator pedal to the floor
Then return it to the half-throttle position and hold it there for two seconds
Release foot off the pedal completely
Start the engine
Check engine light error code is indicated by Pulsing lamp
If an error is detected then Check the ECU Code
If no error is detected - drive the car sensible for a couple of minutes
i.e. until warm (do not use boost or high rpm!)
When the ECU has been reset the Check Engine Light will flash
An Error Code is indicated by a flashing check engine light
of varying length of flash,
a flash of around once a second is the okay code and indicates all is well.
If an error code is detected Check the ECU Code
Turn ignition OFF and Disconnect Connectors
If there is a fault Check the Appropriate Sensor
Notice it says you can drive it with the diagnostic plugs connected.
So I`d say its something else.
17 February 2012, 12:33 AM
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That's both a relief and a bit of disapointment, because the most likely thing now is head gaskets....
On the bright side, at least you can replace head gaskets right?
Thanks for the responce though, it's a big help.
On the bright side, at least you can replace head gaskets right?
Thanks for the responce though, it's a big help.
17 February 2012, 01:16 AM
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Charge the battery, and see if that helps.
When you say won`t turn over, how do you think thats head gaskets??
As the only way an engine can stop turning over is if the engine s hydrolocked, from water in the cylinder.
If you do the head gaskets, may be cheaper to get a new engine, BUT if you repair yours do both heads and skim to same amounts, new waterpump and as its out cambelt kit and oil pump (preferably uprated).
But way before all of that see if you can get someone to have a look over it as t may be something small and stupid.
When you say won`t turn over, how do you think thats head gaskets??
As the only way an engine can stop turning over is if the engine s hydrolocked, from water in the cylinder.
If you do the head gaskets, may be cheaper to get a new engine, BUT if you repair yours do both heads and skim to same amounts, new waterpump and as its out cambelt kit and oil pump (preferably uprated).
But way before all of that see if you can get someone to have a look over it as t may be something small and stupid.
17 February 2012, 09:36 AM
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I've gone through everything, had the starter motor off twice, stripping, cleaning and testing it before it goes back on, checked every sensor with a multi meter, swaped fuel injectors round and even tried it with two fully changed betteries in parallel. I've ruled out everything small and stupid 
Now when you try and turn the crank manually with a socket wrench you need a towque wrench to do it and as you do you can hear fizzing and bubling (the sound of air bubbling through water) as you turn it veeeeeery sloooowly.
I'm going to take the spart plugs out later, once it stops raining (beautiful welsh weather) and see if any water comes out to confirm it's hydrolocked.
Right now, I'm trying to put the spare engine in the "project car" so that i have transportation for work next week, until that's out the garage I cant really work on the scooby properly.
Thanks for you help though, and the advice on the head gskets, it sounds like a good plan.
Now when you try and turn the crank manually with a socket wrench you need a towque wrench to do it and as you do you can hear fizzing and bubling (the sound of air bubbling through water) as you turn it veeeeeery sloooowly.
I'm going to take the spart plugs out later, once it stops raining (beautiful welsh weather) and see if any water comes out to confirm it's hydrolocked.
Right now, I'm trying to put the spare engine in the "project car" so that i have transportation for work next week, until that's out the garage I cant really work on the scooby properly.
Thanks for you help though, and the advice on the head gskets, it sounds like a good plan.
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