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I recently bought a 1996 Subaru Impreza version 2 WRX STI – Jap import. Low mileage 79k and well looked after by the previous owner. Paid 5k for it.
About 2 weeks ago, the check engine light came on and off. It was intermittent. However, the car drove fine and I was boosting as usual in all gears. I contacted the previous owner who said the light did not come on before (prior to sale) and it was most likely something minor i.e. sensor. To be fair, I wasn’t too concerned as the car was driving fine. The previous owner was a mechanic who did look after the car well.
Yesterday, I had the clutch and flywheel changed at Slowboy racing. Neil's colleague Matt carried out the work. As soon as the job finished, the speedo stopped working and the car developed a problem immediately after. The engine would cut back at around 4200 rpm. I did some research on this and I hear that when the speedo stops working, the ECU is not receiving accurate information and the revs are effectively capped at around 4200 rpm, even under little load, the engine cuts back as soon as you pass 4200 rpm. This was consistent with what I was experiencing.
I returned to Slowboy racing today to try and fix the problem. Matt played around with the speedo and cable to try and fix it, but could not fix the issue. I was told a new speedo cable is needed. So agreed to return later next week to resolve the issue.
Later that day, I thought I’d try to rev the car past 4200 rpm and it was fine, I started boosting the car, hitting 6000 rpm, car was performing fantastic, no issues. Then after 1 hour or so, went back out, car boosted fine again, then as I was returning home, it started again, engine would violently cut back, lose power as it revs pass 4200 rpm.
Now I'm confused … is the underlying issue the speedo that is not working causing the engine to behave that way … or could there be another issue, if so, what could it be?
My gut tells me the speedo is the problem. I understand the check engine light was intermittent beforehand … but the car only started to behave funny after the speedo stopped working.
Thoughts please? I’m so baffled right now. Thanks!
have you tried the speed signal sensor? mine has been playing up on my hawk sti and throwing the eml light on at random intervals. ive just had a new one put in by thwites.
saying that though my speedo never stopped working nor did the car behave unusual.
The early G10 models have a mechanical speedo cable between gearbox and combimeter/speedo.
AFAIK It is in the combimeter that the mechanical signal is converted to an analog signal which is then sent to the ECU.
The cable consists of two parts
Gearbox connector
and the cable to the dash
If the check engine light fault was to do with the speed sensor signal then it finally failed after being disconnected/reconnected during the clutch change.
Last edited by Don Clark; 23 February 2020 at 08:21 PM.
The early G10 models have a mechanical speedo cable between gearbox and combimeter/speedo.
AFAIK It is in the combimeter that the mechanical signal is converted to an analog signal which is then sent to the ECU.
The cable consists of two parts
Gearbox connector
and the cable to the dash
If the check engine light fault was to do with the speed sensor signal then it finally failed after being disconnected/reconnected during the clutch change.
These images are consistent with what I see ... but can this be the cause for the engine cutting off around 4200 rpm?
And any ideas where I can buy this?
Last edited by Simon Greenwich; 23 February 2020 at 09:43 PM.
Reason: mistake
dont normally but I would have to agree you by what the posts says ,,, drove in without the problem and then comes out with the problem ,,,, id be asking them to sort it if it was mine
Thanks for all the input, really helpful. Neil has ordered the new cable for me and will be sorting it out soon. This is my first scooby, so I was frustrated when the car started to cut back, takes the fun away.
Thanks for all the input, really helpful. Neil has ordered the new cable for me and will be sorting it out soon. This is my first scooby, so I was frustrated when the car started to cut back, takes the fun away.
Pah that's nothing,you wait until your engine digests it's own bottom end then you will know all about the fun in owning a subaru
The bottom cable has probably snapped inside ( common issue )
Subaru stopped making them now, ICP increased the price of them from £49 to £79 the next day subaru announced it ( with the same stock level as before ) bit cheeky !
As long as you treat it well and regular services all should be fine. Being an old cat stuff will break. Although that sounds like it was the garages fault.
The bottom cable has probably snapped inside ( common issue )
Subaru stopped making them now, ICP increased the price of them from £49 to £79 the next day subaru announced it ( with the same stock level as before ) bit cheeky !
Yes, I have seen this now - the garage is ordering the parts and sorting it out.
Originally Posted by jaygsi
As long as you treat it well and regular services all should be fine. Being an old cat stuff will break. Although that sounds like it was the garages fault.
23 February 2020, 04:49 PM
Confusing problem, opinions please
