Discussion
CarlFrederickson said:
Flash code 23 is up on my 95 WRX Wagon. Sometimes it wont start until the diagnostic plugs are connected?
Generally they are very reliable on that age of car. But even with the MAF unplugged, the car should still start.As for starting only with the diagnostic plugs connected....havent a notion.
Sadly, if a new one is required, they are also very expensive.
The car has been reliable until I parked it for several months now it is playing up. Disconnecting the MAF makes no difference to the running! The butterfly sensor and the one to the right of it both alter the running. The one on the right stops the car from hunting when disconnected! I have cleaned around the butterfly with carb cleaner made no difference. I've heard some people mention cleaning the MAF sensor with same but others have said leave well alone cleaning with any kind of solvent will damage it?
CarlFrederickson said:
The car has been reliable until I parked it for several months now it is playing up. Disconnecting the MAF makes no difference to the running! The butterfly sensor and the one to the right of it both alter the running. The one on the right stops the car from hunting when disconnected! I have cleaned around the butterfly with carb cleaner made no difference. I've heard some people mention cleaning the MAF sensor with same but others have said leave well alone cleaning with any kind of solvent will damage it?
There is no such thing as a butterfly sensor. I assume you mean Throttle Position switch. Dont tamper with this or you can mess things up.The other 3 pin plug to the right, is the idle speed control valve.
If you have been tampering and unplugging things with the igition turned on, that will generate all sorts of fault codes.
Disconnect the battery for 10 mins and start again to clear any codes currently stored.
And make sure the battery is in good condition. Modern cars dont like knackered batteries.
CarlFrederickson said:
Thanx I'll have another fiddle tmrw. Do you know if its ok to drive with the diagnostic plugs connected? It wont start unless they are!The connectors under the steering column ??
The car should run with them unplugged.....assuming you have the correct connectors
If the MAF sensor is an hotwire type as per Cossie Escort the oil mist from the block breather contaminate the wire & gives false readings particularly bad on turbo cars so cleaning the wire with carb cleaner usually fixes the problem. Just had it on a friends TVR & it worked a treat
Ian
Ian
330p4 said:
If the MAF sensor is an hotwire type as per Cossie Escort the oil mist from the block breather contaminate the wire & gives false readings particularly bad on turbo cars so cleaning the wire with carb cleaner usually fixes the problem. Just had it on a friends TVR & it worked a treat
Ian
It is a hotwire, and the breather system does not have any contents pass through the MAF.Ian
But the MAF on his model is very reliable, and not prone to problems.
His mention of wiring issues sounds very strange though, if it is how he describes.
Thanx guys the advice is well appreciated
Yes the black and green plugs near the steering column that give the flash codes when connected. The car would fire but wouldn't run so I connected the plugs to see wot codes came up. Got 23 which I believe is MAF sensor circuit. Then I tried to start the car and it runs but hunts.
So now it will only run with the plugs connected
!!!!??????
Yes the black and green plugs near the steering column that give the flash codes when connected. The car would fire but wouldn't run so I connected the plugs to see wot codes came up. Got 23 which I believe is MAF sensor circuit. Then I tried to start the car and it runs but hunts. So now it will only run with the plugs connected!!!!??????
Have you ever had the MAF sensor apart? Well I thought while I've got it off I'd have a look inside! Mmmmmm very interesting copper bendy thing and 4 soldered contacts that break off if you try n take the thing apart
I think I'll invest in another one. I'll have the plugs out while I'm waiting for the new MAF sensor n give em a clean. Difficult t get at en they. not found a socket to go in there yet but I'll keep trying. Time fer tea n a bicuit I think. I'm doing this outside and its not very pleasant today.CarlFrederickson said:
Have you ever had the MAF sensor apart? Well I thought while I've got it off I'd have a look inside! Mmmmmm very interesting copper bendy thing and 4 soldered contacts that break off if you try n take the thing apart I think I'll invest in another one. I'll have the plugs out while I'm waiting for the new MAF sensor n give em a clean. Difficult t get at en they. not found a socket to go in there yet but I'll keep trying. Time fer tea n a bicuit I think. I'm doing this outside and its not very pleasant today.And depending on the type of MAF....you could be talking £300 for a new one.
Plugs are very easy to change, no special tools required. Just some basic sockets and short extensions.
Well curiosity got the better of me
There were 4 screws just itchin t be undone and I had the thing in bits in no time. Turns out probably was a good idea cos the copper thingy inside was all beaten up where people bin leaning on it. A nice new one is on its way and not too bad at £85+vat. I should really learn where to stop but do like a tinker. I got the plugs out after a struggle and they were a bit black and sooty but look like they firin ok. Gave the vacuum pipes a clean through with the carb cleaner and the battery is on charge in the kitchen. So everything that looks like it could do with a clean has bin cleaned and lookin fwd t puttin it all back tmrw. Watch this space for the result
There were 4 screws just itchin t be undone and I had the thing in bits in no time. Turns out probably was a good idea cos the copper thingy inside was all beaten up where people bin leaning on it. A nice new one is on its way and not too bad at £85+vat. I should really learn where to stop but do like a tinker. I got the plugs out after a struggle and they were a bit black and sooty but look like they firin ok. Gave the vacuum pipes a clean through with the carb cleaner and the battery is on charge in the kitchen. So everything that looks like it could do with a clean has bin cleaned and lookin fwd t puttin it all back tmrw. Watch this space for the resultCarlFrederickson said:
Fitted replacement MAF sensor and new spark plugs. Plugs were wet and no spark so assume there is petrol getting through. Good spark at plug now crank sensor has been cleaned. Engine tries to start but will not pick up!!!??? Any ideas please?
Cleaning crank sensor wont do anything.If the plugs are wet, replace them. Or you can try drying them out with a blowtorch or something.
Yes the car was parked 4 12 months outside but like a good Scoob it fired up when asked and was driven with no problem s to the MOT centre. When I went to pick the car up from the MOT centre it would not start, battery was flattened by cranking then eventually jump started. Has been a problem since.Would the jump starting have damaged the ECU?
Would the jump starting have damaged the ECU?CarlFrederickson said:
Yes the car was parked 4 12 months outside but like a good Scoob it fired up when asked and was driven with no problem s to the MOT centre. When I went to pick the car up from the MOT centre it would not start, battery was flattened by cranking then eventually jump started. Has been a problem since.Would the jump starting have damaged the ECU?
Possible, but never seen it happen on a Subaru. Then again, no idea how they jumped it. Ive seen people put leads on the wrong way and blow the crap out of things before.Would the jump starting have damaged the ECU?Although if the battery itself is dead, often modern cars simply do not like this regardless of jump leads. Ensure the battery is fit to be used.
Got there in the end
New MAF sensor fitted, Battery charged and re fitted, plugs changed, crank sensor cleaned and she now starts and runs with no codes flashed up
Thank you all for your help and advice
. I think this was one of those frustrating times when there was more than one fault. Changing one part would not fix the problem. I was sure the MAF sensor was faulty but changing it appeared to make no difference. Throw a crank sensor covered in sludge, a flat battery and dodgy plugs in to the mix and its no wonder I was scratching my head for a few days.
The car is now drivable but misfires now and then so I am going to change the plug coils to try and solve this. Thanx once again off to the Bournemouth rally with it this weekend. 
New MAF sensor fitted, Battery charged and re fitted, plugs changed, crank sensor cleaned and she now starts and runs with no codes flashed upThank you all for your help and advice. I think this was one of those frustrating times when there was more than one fault. Changing one part would not fix the problem. I was sure the MAF sensor was faulty but changing it appeared to make no difference. Throw a crank sensor covered in sludge, a flat battery and dodgy plugs in to the mix and its no wonder I was scratching my head for a few days. The car is now drivable but misfires now and then so I am going to change the plug coils to try and solve this. Thanx once again off to the Bournemouth rally with it this weekend. Gassing Station | Engines & Drivetrain | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff