WRX Check Engine Light Log

[bgsntth]

Its like deja vue all over again....

8106 miles, CEL cruising over the San Rafael bridge at 55mph in 5th.
P1443 code: Vent Valve failure
Dealer replaced failed part, seems they have these lying around. Is this a common part or problem? Strikes me as odd that they would not have to order this?

Regardless, in a year of ownership I have had more warranty repairs on my WRX than my last 4 Subaru wagons in total. I'm just glad the powertrain is completely stock and I am meticulous about preventive maintenance. I wish I listened to the little voice that said "Never buy the first allocation of the first model year". But nope, I HAD to have the first WRX off the boat. Color me an idiot.

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[T-WRX]

9000 miles.
WRX 5-speed wagon.
Liberty Auto Plaza, Libertyville, IL

CEL on for a week.

The light turned off on the way into the dealer.

Dealer says it is a code 132, cylinder misfire. They don't understand it, but say the car is safe to drive.

Dealer gave me the car back, but wants me to drop it off on Monday -- they will ship the ECU to SOA for further analysis.

They offerred a loaner car, and say that it will take 2-3 days until the ECU is returned.

Oh joy.

Edit - the light originally came on when the car was restarted warm on a very humid cold day. Sounds similar to some other stories here . . .

[MAGMORE]

Manual transmission
02 wagon.
Bone stock .
first time it came on after about 100 miles right off the lot with the tank the dealer filled.
took it in and they said it was a loose gas cap and apologized and reset it.
then it came on again about 100 miles after filling the second tank. the dealer said I had crossthreaded the cap (not likely but i gave them the BOD). they reset it .
Just came on for the third time , also about 100 miles into a fresh tank of gas.
I fill it at conoco (double hulled tankers) with 92 octane premium , as always.
Have not taken it in yet but found this thread and now I am fairly convinced I will have them reprogram the ECU . I am going to refer my dealer to this thread.
At this point htey have a chance to restore my faith . there are two other Sooby dealers in the area .
My first brand new car , my 10 year old corrado did'nt give me this much trouble. grrr

[A_WRX_PILOT]

2002 WRX Sedan w/manual

1st CEL: 03.07.02 8:00AM / 55mph 5th gear / CEL on @ 110 miles

Dealer said it was a loose gas cap (I filled 1st tank myself and doubt it was not tight) didn’t get code from dealer.

Dealer reset code, test drove car for 18miles (and more than likely beat on it cause when I got it back it had mud all the way down the driver side and this was the day after having it detailed and it was SPOTLESS when they took it in. Had the nerve not to clean it and I even bitched about how it was clean when they took it and STILL did not offer to clean it) Told me to click gas cap three times when putting in back on and sent me on my way.

Bill Franks Subaru South Bend, Indiana

2nd CEL: 03.08.02 9:00PM / 50mph 5th gear / CEL on @ 140

Will contact dealer if Service Dept is open Sat morning and update this post.

I took delivery of this new car on 03.04.02 and I can’t believe I have had the same problems that were being reported over eight months ago here. What is Subaru doing about this? FYI this car was mfg in Jan of 2002. You would think that they would have had the fix in place on this by now.

Can some one tell me how to reset CEL? I tried the four key cycles w/o any luck.

Respectfully Submitted

Eric

[A_WRX_PILOT]

Originally posted by A_WRX_PILOT
2002 WRX Sedan w/manual

2nd CEL: 03.08.02 9:00PM / 50mph 5th gear / CEL on @ 140

Will contact dealer if Service Dept is open Sat morning and update this post.

1st CEL: Code P0457 / Gas cap not tight.

2nd CEL: Code P0457 / CPC solendiod hose was off CPC.

[sj-colorado]

* transmission (auto, manual)
manual

* what date/mileage it went on/off
02/15/2002 130 mi

* what code was retrieved by the dealer (e.g. P1443)
P0303

* name of dealer
Flatirons Subaru (Boulder, CO)

* what action the dealer took (e.g. ordered O2 sensor, drain solenoid)
Sent ECU to SOA for reprogramming, SOA said ECU already had update. Recommended idling for 30 secs before turning engine off.

This happened on warm restart at altitude (~6000 ft). I probably spaced letting the engine idle before shutoff. Got the code about 1 min after restart, heading down a steep hill with the clutch in, stomping on the brakes to see how the ABS would respond on a dirt road. Code hasn't come back (1600+ miles now).

[Martin Ritchie]

Auto tranny
13 March 02
9,376 mi.
Code: 0340 Camshaft Position Sensor
Yark Subaru
They're replacing the sensor under warranty.
I was pulling hard to enter freeway when CEL went off at about 7,000 rpm in second gear.

[T-WRX]

Update:

Got the WRX back from the dealer with the ECU reflashed by SOA. The car feels a little smoother now, and no more CEL (for the last 100 miles at least).

The car feels faster, too -- but of course, I was driving a Hyundai Sante Fe loaner for the last 5 days.

[WRXKID23]

mine went on with my wife drivng the car.
Reason: spuratic cooling fan
which ment my block was hot and my radiator was cold. They reset it and found that i needed a thermostat replaced under warranty. less then a thousand miles later my motor blew.

[sajohnson]

I hope they replaced the motor under warranty.

[rogue]

Manual sedan
18 March 02
14,000~ miles

I'll post the code and other info when I know, going to dealership tomorrow.

[isit24]

Originally posted by Martin Ritchie
Auto tranny
13 March 02
9,376 mi.
Code: 0340 Camshaft Position Sensor
Yark Subaru
They're replacing the sensor under warranty.
I was pulling hard to enter freeway when CEL went off at about 7,000 rpm in second gear.

Say hi to Melanie for me,

[Paulie V]

WRX Sedan manual
~18,000 miles
Well, guess I've been one of the lucky ones... first CEL.
Yup, P1443, who would've guessed?
Anyway, sending ECU out, should be back in my car tomorrow afternoon. Still wondering when/if Subaru is going to issue a bulletin or recall. I asked the dealer if he's seen any others with this problem and his answer was "Oh yeah!"
On the plus side, they gave me a 2000 Metro as a rental! It's even got the 4 cylinder! Man you people should sell your WRX's and get one of these! Nothing like the sound of 79 horses screaming to keep up with the truck next to you doing 70 on the highway!

[Paulie V]

Well, here's an update:
Dealer said the car should be ready within 48 hours of bringing it in, which would have put them at about 3 this afternoon. Well, being curious I gave them a call at noon to see how they were doing and they tell me the ECU was back and it was all set to go! Once again, I am very impressed and satisfied with Secor Subaru in New London, CT.
As far as the car goes, a big smile on my face all the way home...it was good to be rid of the Metro and back into the ol Rex! Car is running as smooth as ever. Hopefully I won't see a second CEL!

[tnbd]

5spd WRX manual from second allocation:
Current milage: 33.5k
Second set of CELs:
Engine misfire in cylinders 1 and 3 all in about 10 miles.

Solution: send the ecu back to soa for reprogramming. Should take 4 days or so. Hopefully this will fix the cel issues!


The dealer was thinking that there might be something about the locale. They have seen many WRXs with this issue and claim that the reprogram solves them all. They were happy to hear that the problem had been seen in other areas of the country.

[sajohnson]

I'm not at all sure he would win a lawsuit, but Subaru does imply that the WRX is at least able to withstand mild autocross-type racing. To my mind, simply putting "professional driver, closed course, do not attempt" is only CYA legal terminology. In other words--the car can obviously handle it, but it would be dangerous on a public road.

Now, the ad where the stock WRX 'transforms' into the rally racer on a dirt road doing a 4-wheel drift is obviously over the top and meant to show the rally 'heritage'--not imply that you can run Pike's Peak with a stock car.

Each warranty case is different. Some people DO abuse their cars. Others have legitimate claims. I'm sure sorting them out can be difficult sometimes. We can only hope that where it's questionable, SOA gives us WRX owners the benefit of the doubt.

[wrxmontao!!]

Ok...just got my first CEL...built date 1/2/01.... This is the scenario: I drove for about 70 miles then stop the car for about 10 minutes, then drove for about 5 miles then stop for about 15 minutes. When I turned on the car I could feel the engine shaking, as if it was rough iddling but the tach wasn't moving. After about 3 seconds the light came on.

Manual
3/31/02......came on at 10500...went off at 10530
Don't know the code
Dan Parkins Subaru, Milford CT
Sendinng computer to get reprogram. I was told it would take about four days and then put me on rental.

[nook]

* manual
* on: 3-21-02/190 off: 3-21-02/210
* P1443
* Planet Nissan Subaru of Flagstaff
* checked and cleared code p1443. performed re-pdi

[ToddStratton]

Manual
22600 miles
(first CEL ever) on 31 Mar 02

After a short drive into town I stopped, when I restarted it just came on as I was going out of the parking lot. No rough running or anything else, seemed fine.

Code P0303, overnighting to SOA for reflash, which coincided with getting the clutch replaced today due to the decel noise. At least I killed two birds with one stone.

mfg in May 01.

TRS

update: with new or reflashed ecu all seems well

[WRXforME]

Originally posted by sj-colorado
* transmission (auto, manual)
manual

* what date/mileage it went on/off
02/15/2002 130 mi

* what code was retrieved by the dealer (e.g. P1443)
P0303

* name of dealer
Flatirons Subaru (Boulder, CO)

* what action the dealer took (e.g. ordered O2 sensor, drain solenoid)
Sent ECU to SOA for reprogramming, SOA said ECU already had update. Recommended idling for 30 secs before turning engine off.

This happened on warm restart at altitude (~6000 ft). I probably spaced letting the engine idle before shutoff. Got the code about 1 min after restart, heading down a steep hill with the clutch in, stomping on the brakes to see how the ABS would respond on a dirt road. Code hasn't come back (1600+ miles now).

When was your car built? I'm trying to find out when the production cars began shipping with the updated ECU...Anybody know?

Larry

[alwu2k]

Trans: Manual
Time: Feb. 02
Miles: 14k
Code: 0303 3rd cylider misfire
Dealer: Roto Subaru, Arlington Hights, IL

CE on when starting the car after 10 min parking. Engine ran rough. Dealer put me on a Camry for 8 days then told me:
1. They contacted SOA for remapping ECM but told the car was already reset therefore not eligible (car was bought new June'01) and they "don't understand" why
2. They swapped coil pack
3. to use Mobil (I always use Shell premium)

No CE since then. I also wonder who are "eligible" for replacing or remapping ECM.

Al

[bruin]

Trans: Manual
Time: Mar. 02
Miles: 15500
Code: P0303 3rd cylinder misfire P0301 1st cylinder misfire
Dealer: Rye Ford Subaru Rye NY

Just came on one morning after sitting all night. Dealer sent ecu back to subaru for reprogram. Had a loaner (ford escort) for 5 days over a weekend. No problems since fingers crossed

[WindyWRX]

I'm in the mix.
Trans: Manual
Time: 4/15/02
Miles: 9600
I was driving to work this morning, 5th gear cruising, about 65, and light came on...engine didn't do anything strange. continued to drive 20 more miles to work..seemed fine. calling the dealer now...will follow with update
-alex

Update:
Code P0 457 Evap Control, Detected loose gas cap
Retightened and reset code.

This is pretty funky, cause I always turn this thing. I told the service manager that and he said that sometimes the sensors just throws this code for no reason and if it happens again, that they would replace the sensor that is causing it. Oh well, only an hour wasted!!

[philwang66]

Me too...

Trans: 5MT - no mods
Date: 4/12/02
Miles: ~6900
Code: TBD (Edit: P01443)
Dealer: Port Subaru (Roslyn, NY)

Accelerating agressively uphill into an onramp. CE light on steady since then. Car was picked up 1st week of May 2001 (2nd allocation?). Have an appointment with the Dealer on Wed. Car drives fine for now but I drive it mostly on the weekend.

Edit: Dropped off car on Wed., picked up car on Thurs. Dealer checked the car and reset the ECU this time, will send to SOA for flashing if it occurs again.

- Phil

[bsbg]

5 spd, no mods
4/14/02
3420 miles

P0301 &0303
Manchester Subaru, NH

They read the codes and reset. Took down the ECU Calibration code and all that, in case it comes back on. If does it again, they will warranty the ECU reprogram and a loaner for 2-3 days.