Engine Hesitation

mrmcderm · 01-06-2003, 10:26 PM

I'm getting a weird engine hesitation around 5k-5.5k rpms in all gears in my '03 wrx wagon and was wondering if it was always there and is normal, or if I should be concerned. The only engine mod I have done is to pull the silencer.

I'm running 93oct from various vendors in central illinois, so maybe it's winter gas causing the ecu to pull timing?

I don't have an OBDII connector, or an auxillary ecu so I haven't been able to pull any codes to see if i'm det'ing or not, but I am not hearing anything.

I suppose 5250rpms is about the top of the stock torque curve, but torque isn't droping off smoothly, it feels like the car just stops accelerating until I shift again.

Anyone else have this kind of hesitation? Is this normal?

tia,
m

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mrmcderm · 01-07-2003, 03:21 PM

bump

Nutter · 01-07-2003, 04:06 PM

I get this from time to time on my 03, but when I Drive-It-Like-I-Stole-It it clears up ! But then I only have 2k miles on the car so I have been easy on it until a few weeks ago.

Nothing to worry about unless you start throughing codes/lighting CE lights.

mrmcderm · 01-09-2003, 03:05 PM

I'm not getting a CEL, but I still don't think it is normal which is why I asked about it. Any one else experience this or have any insights?

robtmc · 01-09-2003, 03:24 PM

This post may or may not be applicable. I don't get a hesitation, but my 02 with 91 octane sure feels flat up there at WOT. I started a thread to see if anyone knew if 91 would cause timing to be pulled, but no resolution yet......

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...hreadid=282589

SubbyRS · 01-09-2003, 07:03 PM

does it hesitate beyond 5500rpm? in other words is it a flat spot as opposed to running out of puff....

mrmcderm · 01-10-2003, 12:10 AM

It really feels it instantly stops pulling...I can let the rpms build up through 6k, but I don't bother...there is a noticible drop in torque at around 5250 and I don't think it was there before. I'm going to try resetting my ECU and see what that does for me.

swan · 01-10-2003, 01:37 AM

Does it feel as if the engine totally cuts out? Could be the ECU detecting overboost and cutting fuel?

mrmcderm · 01-13-2003, 12:55 PM

No, it is definately not cutting fuel...I know what that feels like, and it wouldn't be from overboost...the only thing aftermarket on the car is the boost gauge and it has never gone above 15psi.

Not really sure what the problem is, I suppose I'll just have to get the OBDII kit and software and see if it's pulling timing.

Bardiel · 01-13-2003, 08:28 PM

Yeah, this also happened to me. I did the grounding mod and it took care of that. Apparently, some of the the WRX models that came out wasn't grounded good enough. So, I bought some 8 gauge wires and ground it in 5 different places in the engine bay and the hesitation is gone....at least I don't feel it anymore.

Bardiel

01-06-2003, 10:26 PM	#1
mrmcderm Scooby Newbie Member#: 25294 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Downers Vehicle: 2003 LR Infiniti G35 WRB WRX Wagon (Sold)	Engine Hesitation I'm getting a weird engine hesitation around 5k-5.5k rpms in all gears in my '03 wrx wagon and was wondering if it was always there and is normal, or if I should be concerned. The only engine mod I have done is to pull the silencer. I'm running 93oct from various vendors in central illinois, so maybe it's winter gas causing the ecu to pull timing? I don't have an OBDII connector, or an auxillary ecu so I haven't been able to pull any codes to see if i'm det'ing or not, but I am not hearing anything. I suppose 5250rpms is about the top of the stock torque curve, but torque isn't droping off smoothly, it feels like the car just stops accelerating until I shift again. Anyone else have this kind of hesitation? Is this normal? tia, m * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

01-13-2003, 08:28 PM	#10
Bardiel Scooby Newbie Member#: 11435 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: NY, PA Vehicle: 2002 Sleeper Impreza Blackie:)	Yup same thing happen to me Yeah, this also happened to me. I did the grounding mod and it took care of that. Apparently, some of the the WRX models that came out wasn't grounded good enough. So, I bought some 8 gauge wires and ground it in 5 different places in the engine bay and the hesitation is gone....at least I don't feel it anymore. Bardiel

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01-07-2003, 03:21 PM	#2
mrmcderm Scooby Newbie Member#: 25294 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Downers Vehicle: 2003 LR Infiniti G35 WRB WRX Wagon (Sold)	bump

01-07-2003, 04:06 PM	#3
Nutter Scooby Specialist Member#: 7185 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: LITH, IL Vehicle: 2005 C55 AMG Brilliant Silver Metallic	I get this from time to time on my 03, but when I Drive-It-Like-I-Stole-It it clears up ! But then I only have 2k miles on the car so I have been easy on it until a few weeks ago. Nothing to worry about unless you start throughing codes/lighting CE lights.

01-09-2003, 03:05 PM	#4
mrmcderm Scooby Newbie Member#: 25294 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Downers Vehicle: 2003 LR Infiniti G35 WRB WRX Wagon (Sold)	I'm not getting a CEL, but I still don't think it is normal which is why I asked about it. Any one else experience this or have any insights?

01-09-2003, 03:24 PM	#5
robtmc Scooby Newbie Member#: 23659 Join Date: Aug 2002 Chapter/Region: HIIC Location: Kailua Kona HI Vehicle: 2002 WRX Sport Wagon Platinum Silver	This post may or may not be applicable. I don't get a hesitation, but my 02 with 91 octane sure feels flat up there at WOT. I started a thread to see if anyone knew if 91 would cause timing to be pulled, but no resolution yet...... http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...hreadid=282589

01-09-2003, 07:03 PM	#6
SubbyRS Scooby Newbie Member#: 17193 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Brisbane, Australia Vehicle: 1991 Legacy RS White	does it hesitate beyond 5500rpm? in other words is it a flat spot as opposed to running out of puff....

01-10-2003, 12:10 AM	#7
mrmcderm Scooby Newbie Member#: 25294 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Downers Vehicle: 2003 LR Infiniti G35 WRB WRX Wagon (Sold)	It really feels it instantly stops pulling...I can let the rpms build up through 6k, but I don't bother...there is a noticible drop in torque at around 5250 and I don't think it was there before. I'm going to try resetting my ECU and see what that does for me.

01-10-2003, 01:37 AM	#8
swan Scooby Newbie Member#: 31621 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Jhb, SA Vehicle: 2002 WRX white	Does it feel as if the engine totally cuts out? Could be the ECU detecting overboost and cutting fuel?

01-13-2003, 12:55 PM	#9
mrmcderm Scooby Newbie Member#: 25294 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Downers Vehicle: 2003 LR Infiniti G35 WRB WRX Wagon (Sold)	No, it is definately not cutting fuel...I know what that feels like, and it wouldn't be from overboost...the only thing aftermarket on the car is the boost gauge and it has never gone above 15psi. Not really sure what the problem is, I suppose I'll just have to get the OBDII kit and software and see if it's pulling timing.