1996 WRX running problem.
 

Hi I am new to this Forum and to owning an Impreza. I bought a 1996 WRX which i beleive is an import, off a friend of the family who used to use it as a drive to work car before falling ill.

It has been off the road just shy of a year. It has just short of 60,000 miles on the clock.

When i first got it it ran lumpy when cold but seemed to be ok once warming up. But this seems to just be getting worse, and now it really smells like its over fueling it it pops and bangs from the exhaust like its igniting the unbur fuel.

It also seems to struggle if i try to rev it, and really holds back when out for a drive.

It has a frount mount cooler fitted and a 3inch decat down pipe.

A few suggestions have been made to me, such as the spark plugs and coolant sensor... but wonder if anyone would have any ideas before i just start replacing loads of parts in hope of finding the problem.

Thanks

Has it been mapped since the fmic etc were fitted?

If not then get it sorted asap.

Someone with more knowledge on this will be along to help you shortly im sure.

No it has not been mapped.. but is running the same with/without the front mount.

Ive been offered a Z4 ECU? Does anyone know what that means? And if it will help the car out atall?

is the check engine light showing up? if it comes on have a look at the ecu section of scoobypedia and follow the steps from there to locate the problem but it is sounding like a maf problem

What dump valve do you have fitted?

Im not sure about the DV, i can take a pic and upload it?

There is no lights stay on when the engine is running.... but im not sure if it even comes on atall? is it supposed to light up with ignition? then go off?

Your poor running could be many things, one to start with would be that your dv could be sticking/leaking allowing excess air into the manifold under idle low rev conditions. Worth a look and is very common. Your check engine light should come on with ignition lights then go out when engine is started so long as no failts are present, you can do a fault code check using the 2 black connectors under the drivers side of the dash, do a search for reading ecu fault codes.

Cheers Iain

Cheers Iain

I would get another green label maf, check all vac and boost pipes, don't forget the ones that attach the pipes to the fmic behind the bumper stones and other road debris can split them, and the smallest of holes will affect the running

get the front mount off for a start if not been mapped as will soon go bang big time.i have z4 ecu on mine and runs 270 ish with decat system,walbro and induction.
when mine played up like yours it was 2 of the coil packs breaking up.

Ok thanks for the replys. So would getting a Z4 ecu save me having to get it mapped?

no.you cant run a front mount on a standard ecu it has to be mapped as will run lean and will go bang big time.get an apexi or simtec ecu and get it mapped otherwise get standard top mount intercooler and the z4 ecu.

Hmmm. Does running lean mean not enough fuel? Cause its def too much fuel. It stinks and exhaust is poppin.

Also i don't see a check light with ignition. What does this mean?

A 1996 wrx should have a Z4 fitted as std,pull up yor passenger footwell carpet and undo the 4 x 10mm bolts and see what ecu is fitted.A Z4 is designed to run with a td05 and small slanty intercooler,not a large fmic. Also do your sunvisors have japanese writing on them or english ?.
As Iain says start with a basic diagnostic by connecting your 2 black wires under the steering coloumn and start from there imho.

Thanks. Im guna put the standard cooler back on tomoro. What about the 3inch decat down pipe? Will that cause any issues? should i put that back to standard aswell?

The decat is one of the 1st mods a lot of Scoob owners make as it allows the turbo to expel the exhaust gases easier and create more power. It should not cause you no running issues , so you will be fine leaving that on. It might be worth getting the car on a dyno for a check to confirm its running ok afterwards imho.

Hey all. Just thought i would update you all. It got so bad that she wouldnt start atall. Turns out 3 of the coils were persished. Set of new coils and plugs and she started up no bother atall. Idle was up and down so i cleaned out the idle valve and she now idles spot on :)

Thanks for all the help and suggestions