2001 WRX hunting

[aberdeenelvis]

Hi all
I work away a lot, my 2001 bugeye had a flat battery for a month. I jump started it today as I have done in the past and as I removed the jump leads. The WRX engine starts to hunt from around 1300rpm to 2200rpm. Also the Engine management light is in on the dash.

I stoped the car and disconnected the battery for 10 minutes. Reconnected and started it again (no jump leads) and the same again. The hunting will sometimes settle at about 1600rpm with the EML still lit in the dash.

I have let the car warm up and it stays the same.

I do not have access to a OBD reader at the moment.

The car is standard apart from a stainless steal exhaust which removed one of the cats. This has caused no problems in the past (about 6 years)

Any help will be appreciated.

[ScoobieWRX]

I guess you're in Aberdeen. Long way away unless there is a scooby specialist near your location.

You could try a new battery for starters. When you jump started you didn't put the leads on the wrong terminals initially did you? Hopefully you didn't damage the ECU if you did.

You need to try and get the ECU reset and error codes read. It could be something and nothing or it could be something more serious. Need to read the error codes.

If your battery is that wasted it's possible it won't take a charge easily or at all and there may not be enough current from the alternator to run the engine's electrics hence why it's running so rough on idle. New battery!!

I think there is a scooby specialist in or very near to Aberdeen - Brian Downie in Kemnay (Inverrurie), Wallace Performance, Clark Motorsport. Try Brian first, i've heard lots of great recommends about this chap.

Edited by ScoobieWRX on Sunday 25th March 10:35

[aberdeenelvis]

Thanks for your reply.

The battery is only 18 months old. And the jump leads were put on correctly.

Due to the car lying long periods it is not uncommon for it to need a jump start especially if ther has been a cold spell.

I am in Aberdeen and will pop into Wallace this wek hopefully Monday,

With a bit of luck it's not a big problem.

[ScoobieWRX]

Fingers crossed it's something simple like a lambda/MAF/MAP/Crank sensor, or Alternator. Any one of those is a result

ETA: Or even simpler and at little to no cost, like a vacuum leak or intercooler pipe leak.

Good luck!!

Edited by ScoobieWRX on Sunday 25th March 13:04

[JollyGrnMonster]

Buy a cheap code reader off ebay.

Your working in the dark without knowing the error code

[kev b]

Try unplugging the MAF sensor, if this makes no difference then that's where the fault lies. I'm no expert but I have heard these cars eat MAF sensors. HTH

[ScoobieWRX]

Newage Subaru don't eat MAF sensors. Like any other car you may well go through 2 MAF or Lambda sensors through the car's lifetime but that is pretty normal for a lot of cars, not just subaru.

Edited to add: Buy the Latest VAGCOM cable off eBay for less than £8-£9 and download a copy of FreeSSM from the internet and you'll have access to all subaru error codes that myself or any other tuner or main dealer would have access to.

That really is the cheapest and best way for your average DIYer to do in-depth ECU diagnostics on a Subaru.

Edited by ScoobieWRX on Sunday 25th March 16:58

[JollyGrnMonster]

The maf unplug is a myth and proves nothing.

Starting to see a few newage failed maf but still rare especially compared to the 99/00 classics that do them regular