Phantom check engine light..

[ahrexwagon]

Righteo, so this weekend I did to the 02' RX wags;

Plugs, leads, valve cover gaskets and all seals, filters and oil, new motor for the front windscreen washer jet, new pads and rotors on the front, just pads on rear, new rubber, new globes.

Now during all this work I did disconnect the battery (kinda impossible to get the lhs valve cover off without taking the battery and washer bottle out)

This would obviously reset the ECU so the computer could learn the changes. I did fill up with 98 as usual and on the way back from testing te brakes and new rubber I noticed the check engine light coming on every now and then. I have had this checked back a few months ago BY SUBARU who actually ran a full diagnostic and it came back with nothing out of the ordinary... There has been no noticeable loss in power or anything that I could feel (bar the pull to the left which the wheel alignment solved)

However just today I drove to drop the miss to the station and on the way back it felt as if the car was struggling through the rpm when the light was on then it would turn off and the car seemed to be fine..

I have heard these engines are very sensitive to bad fuel but I've never experienced anything bad from the usual pump..

I am thinking it's either; fuel which could indicate clogged injectors? Or the throttle body...both of which seem to be operating fine..

Any thoughts or similar experiences?

[RX25SE]

The wife's MY02 has a ramdom CEL on.

On her's its the knock sensor, which is a common problem. Never causes any driveablity issues, just the light appears every now and then and has done for ages.

[BillyCorgi]

For Gen 3 without OBD.....
There are two connectors under the driver's side dash.
One is for TEST MODE CONNECTOR (Green in colour) the other is READ MEMORY CONNECTOR (Black).
They will be presently unplugged.

Warm the engine up.
Turn the Engine OFF
Connect the READ MEMORY CONNECTOR (Black)
Turn the ignition to ON.

The MIL will flash you the Diagnostic Trouble Code.
OK is repeated ON for 0.5 sec OFF for 0.5 sec.
DTC is Long Pulse for Tens and short Pulse for ones.
Example Long - Long - Long -Short- off- Long - Long - Long -Short, repeated is DTC number 31.

[ahrexwagon]

I have noticed today that when the CEL comes on the acceleration seems to struggle from 2.5-3k onwards...but when it's off the pick up through the rpm is smooth and no lagging or jerky acceleration?

Troubleshooting tips?

[BillyCorgi]

Tip.....check the Diagnostic Trouble Code

For Gen 3 without OBD.....
There are two connectors under the driver's side dash.
One is for TEST MODE CONNECTOR (Green in colour) the other is READ MEMORY CONNECTOR (Black).
They will be presently unplugged.

Warm the engine up.
Turn the Engine OFF
Connect the READ MEMORY CONNECTOR (Black)
Turn the ignition to ON.

The MIL will flash you the Diagnostic Trouble Code.
OK is repeated ON for 0.5 sec OFF for 0.5 sec.
DTC is Long Pulse for Tens and short Pulse for ones.
Example Long - Long - Long -Short- off- Long - Long - Long -Short, repeated is DTC number 31.

Remember to disconnect the connectors when finished.

Post the code on the forum and I will look at the FSM and tell you what the code is for?
Cheers!

[RX25SE]

Tip.....check the Diagnostic Trouble Code

Yep.