'Check Engine' light
 

Hi,

I've been to look at a fresh import impreza 94 M WRX (240 bhp model) and during a test drive, the 'check engine' light came on for a few seconds under acceleration then went off and didn't return for the rest of the drive.

Then while idling the header tank started leaking and steaming (common problem i believe).

The car was mint so i put a deposit down providing the problems are fixed and i can be convinced the car is ok.

Could the two problems be related? How do i check engine fault codes? and how can i make sure it isn't going to cost me a fortune?

Cheers

Thanks for that,

If the engine check light comes on does that mean there will be a fault code produced? Or are the systems unrelated? Do you have any idea what the problem could be?

If CEL comes on then the ECU will store the code for the specific fault(s.) There may be a few (my old one read 3 at one point!!!) Once you have followed the procedures outlined in the above link, you will know the faults.Post them on here and someone will no doubt be able to suggest what is wrong. Good luck!!!

Turned out to be:

24 Idle air control solenoid

31 Throttle position sensor

The car drives and idles fine so i'm not sure what happened. Does anyone know how this can happen?

Tried to reset the ECU (with it idling rather than driving it) and it gave:

32 Oxygen sensor

33 Vehicle speed sensor 2

I assume these codes came up cos i was supposed to drive the car when resetting the ECU so it thought the vehicle speed sensor was faulty?

Also these faults seem to be occurring one number after another, wierd.

I'm pretty sure that the ecu should be reset with the ignition on but the car not running.

Ben

No, you are supposed to drive the car genty so the ecu relearns itself. (will probably drive awful)The cel will then flash to let you know it has been reset. Then you stop the car and disconnect the connectors

With those many codes coming up I'd suspect that some work has been done on the car recently.
Although the codes could have been removed with a reset, you have to ask the seller why they were there in the first place.
Get the seller to detail exactly what work needs doing, what work has been done and when it is finished, to get it inspected.
Even though the leaking header tank is common, to not repair it while trying to sell the car wouldn't give me confidence.

Nick

I have a code on my car but im not sure how to tell what it wrong?

the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT flashes as once,twice quicly 3 times...so its 1,2,123..any ideas? i have already replaced the MAF with the mrs's car:luxhello: hehe

ECU CODE BREAKER!
 

the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT flashes as once,twice quicly 3 times...so its 1,2,123..any ideas? i have already replaced the MAF with the mrs's car:luxhello: hehe[/QUOTE]


thats code number 23. Just check that number with the list as detailed above (the freeserve link) think thats the MAF sensor, check you've fitted it right.
saying that they do 'go' quite alot and they aint cheap 100 notes second hand!

Thanks for that swift, problem is that i have "borrowed" the MAF of the other car and same running problem:(
It boosts well, runs well on idle but when i give it gas the revs drop back down and the car almost stalls out

any ideas?