CEL's Boooooo

Heh I get three of them this morning. 0301,0303,0304. The fun codes.

I was accelerating at a mediocre speed in 3rd gear when the light came on. I didn't hear or feal anything differently when accelerating. I wouldn't have noticed the light if I woudn't have been watching the speed limit(45mph zone).

First CEL. Pulled into the nearest gas station plugged in the AP and read the codes, reset the ECU and went driving after some deliberation on what to do. I felt it was blip as 3 misfiring pistons I would have felt something. Atleast I think I would have.

No more CEL's for the rest of the 29 mile journey to work. Even gunned it good a few times to see if I could throw another CEL. Nothing.

Sure scared me good at first. Kinda baffles me now.

 

Yeah. I had just turned on to Diffley from Thomas Lake Rd. Made it just up the hill when the CEL hit and turned into the CVS there by 35E.

I had let the car warm up a tad. It was half way or more to normal running temp by the time it had happened.

Think that had something to do with it?

 

are you almost due or overdue for a tuneup?

 

I'm not sure how old the plugs are. But, I just replaced the timig belt 2k miles ago. So timing is on. Not quite sure what all else is done in a tune up.

BTW running Stage 1 91oct. Everything is stock as far as the engine goes.

 

Misfire codes will happen occasionally, I've gotten them a couple times soon after a cold start (like what bikerboy is suggesting) and just getting up to speed at a normal rate...the CEL would turn on without me feeling a hesitation or anything. Scanned the codes, reset ECU, drove normally for months afterward.

 

Got another one. Cylinders 1 and 3 this time. Again, the car was warming up. The temp had just reached normal running temp on the thermostat. Again, accelerating at a normal rate in 3rd gear. Again, didn't feel any hesitation or hear any knocks.

The car runs just as good as ever. I guess next time I'll have to bring it in and see what happens. Bad gas? I dunno. I have no constant knocking? Bad spark plugs? Just a sensitive ECU throwing off false codes?

 

Didn't you just install that AP? Wondering if it would be a good idea to revert back to stock and monitor it? Find out what others think....

also check those plugs...

just my two cents...good luck man!!!!!

 

What model year is the car? There was a Subaru ECU reflash for certain 2002's because they kept throwing spurious misfire codes.

 

Yeah, its an 02. Just installed the AP. Not getting much help on NASIOC.

I'm going to change the plugs next weekend.

How much is the subaru reflash cost to have done???

 

How do you like the AP dizmal, I plan on getting one in the future, not sure when. grumble grumble damn wedding grumble

 

I really like it. It made my powerband alot smoother and my turbo seems to spool up after 2500rpm now instead of 28-3000. Its just constant power instead of the lag and then vrooooom!

Doesn't seem to be as 'fun' as it was when the powerband kicked in before the AP. But, it is faster on the butt dyno. Plus, when you throw in that DP you will really love it!

Anther plus is it scans and can delete CEL's. Everyone states its not a real ODBII reader. But, I dunno how off it could be?

Oh, the economy mode is a nice feature to have for long trips. I'd buy it again knowing what I know now.

 

Well you should buy it again and give your second one to me. lol cool, I am deffinetly going to get one, just a matter of time. Probably my next performance mod.

 

Yeah, and if you ever have to park it outside for whatever reason and leave it. You can just throw on the theft mode. Someone could still break into it. But atleast they aren't driving it anywhere to do some real chop-shop damage and gut out your UP/DP and that stuff.

Just some cool features that won't get much use at all. But its nice to know that when the time comes. You have the capability. Better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it.

 

Why are you asking about a subaru relfash? If you have problems with your AP Cobb will help. Try them first, they are good. With AP you can revert back to the stock map at anytime so you shouldn't need help. It's on your main map list menu screen. However, I'd like to ask how many miles are on your car?

I'd just replace plugs asap. If you need help there's a tutorial on clubwrx.net with pics...very good

 

I'm asking about because:

And this isn't the first time I was told about '02 WRX's having sensitive ECU's and SOA offering a reflash for it.

I know I can revert back to stock. But then I just wasted $600. What am I supposed to do when I install TBE and want to go stage 2?

Cobb AP doesn't help with a sensitive ECU. All it allows me to do it reset the ECU untill the next CEL pops up.

Oh and the mileage is 116k

 

wow, 116K? I can tell you that my 04 started running like crap, and it seemed like it happened overnight. I ended up changing plugs and the problem went away. It felt like a weak ignition, but I did't throw any cels. I changed the plugs and cleaned everything to do with the coil packs and all my problems went away immediately.

If you need help let me know, I can change your plugs with/for ya.

I assume you didn't have this issue before the AP. remember you're now pushing more air/fuel through, and any ignition that isn't up to the task will definitely show it's weakness.

 

Yeah, well I just picked up the car last December. I put on 4k mile in the last month already and I didn't have any problems. But really, it wasn't long enough to say.

I had the cobb installed for about 10 days before the first CEL's and a week later for the second.

I'm going to change out the plugs next weekend when I go to Mike's and install my prodrive springs. I will take a look at the coil packs and make sure they are clean.

Thanks for the advice.