Orange Warning Light Just Came On...

[pmacFTO]

I had the car serviced last week and today I have an orange warning light on (above the temp gauge) I called Hypertech to ask if I could drive it home ok (had the kids in the car) but they just said to bring it in for diagnostics...is there anything I can check for before I take it to them? I assume thats the engine warning light? I drove in to Edinburgh no problems this morning then when I got in the car to come home the light was on and has not gone off since.

The service was just an oil change (and some new uprated droplinks ) - changed from 10w60 to another grade as advised by Duncan - the car has not been feeling very smooth and sometimes hesitant (very slightly) if you hold the revs steady or put the foot down. Are there any pipes I can check that may not be plugged in properly or erm...anything?? lol btw - I am not attributing this to the service! Just giving the background to what has been done recently. Duncan also mentioned the diff seal was leaking but I wouldn't imagine the engine light would warn of that getting too low! He also said coolant was low but temp on the car is sitting well below half way point and oil pressure and temp seem normal going by the aftermarket gauges.

It's a MY03 WRX with a few mods and Andy F remap if that's relevant.

EDIT: Just looked thru the manual and saw it mentions emissions - the cats are removed and the CEL fix was applied in the past if that has any bearing too!

Edited August 2, 2008 by pmacFTO

[thewelsho]

Could be anything mate, really. If its hesitating when revving, might be the MAF or O2 sensor, then again, hesitancy in the revs could be ignition retardation caused by knocking, but I'd imagine that this would only happen at really high revs. May also be a coilpack, possibly plugs!

I'm really not the best person to be advising you TBH, but if you could at least eliminate the sensors by placing known good ones in - perhaps borrow them from a fellow Scooby driver. The MAF is the easiest to change but the O2 one is a big more difficult given its location. If you don't have to wait long for the diagnostics, probably be better just holding off.

Hope it goes well, mind post up what was wrong.

Edited August 2, 2008 by TheWelsho

[pmacFTO]

What interface does the WRX have for diagnostics? My m8 has an OBD2 device but he has not got the software for the scoob - is there anything we can download?

And...anyone know what Hypertech or Extreme charge forthe diagnostic? I need some work done anyway so may as well get it all done at once...thank god I just got paid for a nice big freelance office networking job! lol

[scouk]

What interface does the WRX have for diagnostics? My m8 has an OBD2 device but he has not got the software for the scoob - is there anything we can download?

And...anyone know what Hypertech or Extreme charge forthe diagnostic? I need some work done anyway so may as well get it all done at once...thank god I just got paid for a nice big freelance office networking job! lol

Hi mate... Depends what sort of ODB2 device it is... I use a tactrix cable with software called ECU Explorer... It may or may not work:

http://code.google.com/p/ecuexplorer/downloads/list

BTW - for a quick ECU code check, I'd hope they would do it for nout especially so close after the service.. It only takes a few sconds to plug in the device and read a code..

[st3ph3n]

It's OBD2 it uses. I guess if he has standard diagnostic software it can pick it up.

If you're "lucky" it'll be one of the standard "consumables" like the MAF

Edit: Beaten by Al by a few seconds!

[pmacFTO]

Cheers all

[pmacFTO]

Sod's Law eh....started it up today and no light lol - are they prone to false readings sometimes?

[scouk]

Depends on the error.. Some dissapear if the fault no longer exists.. others stay on for several days/restarts whereas others are permanent.. The code will be stored on the ECU as a "history" code so you can still at least find out what it was...

[p1ggm]

is it not 3 restarts to clear the light? but it stays in the ecu

so they will still be able to read the code

[pmacFTO]

ok - I did read somewhere that 3 starts can switch off the light....NASIOC I think.

I'll get it checked then - better safe than sorry!

Edited August 3, 2008 by pmacFTO

[thewelsho]

ok - I did read somewhere that 3 starts can switch off the light....NASIOC I think.

I'll get it checked then - better safe than sorry!

If the light is out, the fault has gone. As stated previously, the ECU will store whatever issue you had and can be read on the monitor and cleared at the same time. That will let you know what the issue is, so you should still get it checked. Of course, it may still come back

[MilestoneMike]

Hi I've got software that will read the code if your mate has obd2 PC device. I have got the software for my ELM327 device, that I could get to you. They are pretty small applications. I used mine to read my code. It took about 5 mins to install software onto laptop and less than than a couple of minutes to read my code and clear it from the history. Let me know if you want it.

[pmacFTO]

aye Mike - that would be great. Can you send it to my GMail? pmacFTO "a_t" gmail.com if you don't mind

The car is smelling pretty strong of petrol today (and last night) - even my workmate noticed it when we went to get lunch today....

[MilestoneMike]

Sorry for the delay I've been away for a day with my work and just remembered I've sent software to your email. If you can't get it to work let me know and I'll try and help you out. Failing that if you can get the car to Dunfermline or thereabouts I'll do it for you.

Best of luck.

Mike.

[pmacFTO]

Cheers for all the info and thanks to Mike for the s/w

Turns out it was just my lambda sensor So just need to find a replacement.

[thewelsho]

Cheers for all the info and thanks to Mike for the s/w

Turns out it was just my lambda sensor So just need to find a replacement.

Yeah, the stong smell of petrol would have been an indication of that I guess.

[pmacFTO]

Yeah, the stong smell of petrol would have been an indication of that I guess.

Possibly, but apparently in safe mode the ECU throws extra petrol into the mix just in case so it would smell strongly anyway.

I just had a look at the sensor and noticed that the bracket which holds it on to the manifold is hanging loose so it may even just be a broken wire which would be a nice cheap fix hopefully!

[thewelsho]

Possibly, but apparently in safe mode the ECU throws extra petrol into the mix just in case so it would smell strongly anyway.

I just had a look at the sensor and noticed that the bracket which holds it on to the manifold is hanging loose so it may even just be a broken wire which would be a nice cheap fix hopefully!

Hope so!