Hi, I'm having some problems with my 1998 uk turbo 2000, I'm quite new to impreza's so I don't know much about it all!
It started about a week ago, I went to accelerate from a roundabout in second and it felt like it cut out and juddered quite violently. Since then I have only managed to accelerate with accelerator half down otherwise it does the same. The only unaffected gear is first.
I have tried having a look under the bonnet, I cant see any obvious air leaks.
I reset the ecu today and it's just made it worse, the car is almost undriveable as it cuts out as soon as you hit any boost.
Like I say I'm new to impreza's so I don't know much about them. Any advice is appreciated, as I am well and truly stuck on this one! Thanks

 

Sounds like coil pack breaking down under load.

 

Is this majorly bad news or a fairly quick fix? Thanks

 

Is it definately a MY98 car or is it an early MY99 car? (coil pack centre or offset on the inlet manifold on top of the engine?)
Also MY99 cars have 4 pot front brakes and a nice shiny boss in the middle of the steering wheel (and slighly nicer front bumper).
Does the car also have any modifications?

Tony

 

Lambda sensor? All the learning has gone when the ECU reset is done, and it will expect to learn all over again, from the lambda which could be ****.

Only a theory.

 

It's definitely my98 coilpack is central on inlet manifold, it has the older bumper and 2pot callipers. The only mod as far as I can tell is a b.o.v but I don't know what type.

 

Fair one, that's worth a look. Thanks

 

Sounds like its hitting fuel cut to me due to overboosting. Do you have a boost gauge fitted to see what its boosting at? If not the first thing to do is run I pipe directly from the turbo to the actuator, if this cures it check/replace the boost pipes and clean out the boost control solenoid with brake cleaner.

 

No I don't have a boost gauge, so I'll have to try what you said. is there any guides for doing this or anything I could use for reference? Thanks

 

Jollygreenmonsters website has a help page which will tell you how to clean the solenoid. On your turbo there will be a pipe that comes off it then goes to the boost solenoid, if its a 2 port the pipe will have a t piece in it and will connect to the actuator. You need to run a pipe from the turbo housing onto the actuator.

 

Thanks, I'll try connecting the turbo straight to the actuator in a bit, I've had a new development now as well, it's now started to cut out just after start up on idle, I checked the fault code and it's come up as 24 (idle control system or isc valve) but I don't know if this is the problem or a separate Fault caused by the main problem?

 

No harm in cleaning the icv out but could be a seperate problem

 

wouldn't expect Lambda sensor to give problems on boost its normally at low revs and goes away when the car warms up. Like they say possible boost leak check the bov first they are known to give problems, I would def check coil pack as well they are known to give these symptons.

 

Yeah, missed the fact it was at higher revs as well.

 

I've just checked the bov for leaks and it looks ok, would coil pack explain the cutting out whilst idling as well?

 

Not normally unless its proper fooked, other option is maf try unplugging to see if car will tick over without it plugged in. Lambda will make the car idle eratically but it normally starts to choke the engine under light revs as it sends too much fuel when knackered, but rev it get the car to temp and it runs fine. When the coil pack is knackered you lose spark normally under load sometimes the missfire is so bad it gives the impression your hitting boost cut. Do you know anyone with the same car in your area who you can pinch bitts off to test saves pissing in the wind and replacing parts that might be ok.

 

It sounds like the coil pack with how it behaves under load, but I've just tried it without maf and it made no difference I can't rev it either as it just ticks over for a couple of seconds then cuts out, and If I try revving it it does nothing. Nope I'm the only person I know with a classic unfortunately

 

Could be the fuel pump, running lean , then the ECU will cut the car back to avoid damage.

 

Could be any of the above mate couldnt it,may be cheaper and quicker to get a subaru specialist to work it out with elimination process,where are you based ?

 

Sorry just looked and your in sheffield,someone will know a good place to take it on sn

 

I'm down in bury at Edmunds at the minute as I work there so I'll have to have a look, it's getting to me a bit now though because it was running fine a week ago and it's all just gone t***s up!

 

It could be something so simple mate,but after cleaning boost solenoid,checking for boost cut,cleaning icv you really need a pro if those 3 dont do the trick,good luck and keep us posted,carl.

 

Quick update, after giving the icv a clean it now holds it's idle and can be driven again (Y) still having some hesitation problems but at least I can drive it for the time being till I figure it out! Also thanks for the help everyone, it's nice to be back on a forum full of helpful people.

 

Another update, the fault seems to have rectified itself. I have started to stick religiously to tesco momentum instead of putting in any super unleaded (v-power e.t.c) and it seems to have paid off! I can now get the foot down with no hesitation or jerking. Thanks again for the help and advice everyone!