cel flashing-totally weird and different

KillerRabbit · 03-04-2008, 06:21 PM

Hi guys im new to Subaru, just bought me a 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX, it is indeed a 5 speed and it drives great.

The current mods are:
UTEC
upgraded top mount intercooler
greddy type-rs bov
up-pipe
down-pipe
TBE
drop in K&N filter

i was driving the car up to Little Rock (i live in Conway, Arkansas) to go to the street races to hang out with some friends.

i was following some people to the races and all of sudden i felt like I lost a lot of power, then my check engine light started flashing at me. now it hesitates and loses power around 4500-5000 and on. while this is going on the cel is flashing, but when i let off it stops and when i get on it again it comes back on.

the engine sounds sick, almost as if its a light knocking noise-which leads me to think that it is misfiring, but there is no code being stored.

what do you guys think, anyone have any ideas?
let me know

Thanks, Aaron

jdowrx · 03-04-2008, 09:11 PM

when the check engine light is flashing, it is an indication of a misfire. the same thing is happening to my car. i got it scanned and it showed a misfire in cylinder 2 and 3

KillerRabbit · 03-05-2008, 12:12 AM

thing is about that, i dont know if this is the same for you also, my engine light does not stay on and nothing is stored in memory or other data(pending codes). it just flashes so there is no way for me to check what cylinder or anything else.

come on guys, i need to get this resolved.
give me some more information-keep the replies coming

Vew · 03-05-2008, 12:48 AM

UTEC uses CEL as a indicator for knocking. It flashes when your car knocks. Your car is knocking very badly. When it flashes. STOP ACCELERATING. I can't stress enough how dangerous this is to your engine. Is your car tuned?

Longshot · 03-05-2008, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vew

UTEC uses CEL as a indicator for knocking. It flashes when your car knocks. Your car is knocking very badly. When it flashes. STOP ACCELERATING. I can't stress enough how dangerous this is to your engine. Is your car tuned?

Absolutely correct, you don't have any type of engine management do you?

KillerRabbit · 03-05-2008, 02:42 PM

how can i fix this problem, and is my engine pretty much done?
did i spin a bearing? or what ?
how is the engine sensing knock?

one thing i am puzzled i have 3 step colder spark plugs.
could that cause it?

Longshot · 03-05-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longshot

you don't have any type of engine management do you?

So do you? Are you running a catless DP?

newtothegame · 03-05-2008, 04:14 PM

He is using UTEC as his EM. But I dont really know anything about that stuff, yet.

Longshot · 03-05-2008, 07:20 PM

Yeah that was pretty stupid of me, I meant is it protuned, or just a base map on there? My bad

KillerRabbit · 03-05-2008, 08:03 PM

it is on the utec pretuned stage 3 or base map
yes i do have a catless downpipe
i was informed by the previous owner that he put 3 step colder iridium ngk plugs
ngk 9s
i just bought ngks 8 and royal purple oil

dumdum · 03-06-2008, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillerRabbit

it is on the utec pretuned stage 3 or base map
yes i do have a catless downpipe
i was informed by the previous owner that he put 3 step colder iridium ngk plugs
ngk 9s
i just bought ngks 8 and royal purple oil

That's flat out retarded.You only need to at the most step down 1 heat range for your mods.I bet your plugs are fouled.Pull a plug and get the part #.Also pulling a plug will allow you to see if they are fouled.Fouled plugs = misfire.

KillerRabbit · 03-06-2008, 02:41 PM

well im going to try and take a plug out and check it
as far goes as that is there anything else it could be.

little different than the post but, what do you think about royal purple in the motor?
will it work out nice?

how can a boost gauge help me?

Longshot · 03-06-2008, 03:18 PM

I use RP in mine. Just do a search and you'll find a bazillion threads on oil.

Vew · 03-06-2008, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillerRabbit

it is on the utec pretuned stage 3 or base map

I can tell you that's your problem right there. A basemap is not for running your car. A basemap is a starting point for your tune so you don't start from scratch. You need to have it tuned by someone that knows what they're doing. I also advise you change your plugs to stock heat range. At most, 1 step colder, but you're not anywhere near needing that yet.

KillerRabbit · 03-12-2008, 10:41 AM

alright guys, here is some bad news
took out the plugs and they are stock bkr6eix replacement iridium plugs
it still flashes after replacement

help me out