CEL on and Temp gauge went up too

CitySubie · 09-14-2004, 11:06 AM

Can anyone shed some light?

I got pulled over and noticed after the cop gave me a ticket that my Check Engine Light was on and the Temp Gauge was up about 2/3 of the way.

After crusing at 60 mph in 5th, temp came back down almost to normal, but CEL is still on.

Looked under the hood and the engine was still there. Don't know, what gives?

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Mulder · 09-14-2004, 11:25 AM

You need to get the code read. If you can get to an Autozone they will do it for free, unless you are in CA. In CA I believe they will allow you to borrow the scanner after leaving a deposit so you can scan it yourself. You can also ask in your local forum for help from someone near you who has a scanner.
Once you have the numerical code that has been stored, come back and post it for more help.
It will also help to tell us what car you have and what mods, if any.
The only other thing I can add is that from what you described, there might be a problem with the engine cooling fans, if they aren't working properly the temp will go up when you stop and a code will set and turn on the CEL. But that's just informed speculation until you get the code pulled.

CitySubie · 09-14-2004, 05:25 PM

The code that came up is - P0483

I changed to a lightweight pulley - I doubt if that's causing a problem
And I put on a Ganzflow CAI

Mulder · 09-14-2004, 05:28 PM

Well my guess was right, that code is for a "Cooling Fan Function Problem". Check your fans and be sure they are plugged in, the relay is ok and no fuses are blown.

munkis · 09-14-2004, 05:53 PM

Do you have a proECM?

Jay

Ruff · 09-14-2004, 06:47 PM

Like he said, checked to make sure the fans are plugged in, they were unplugged and removed to do the pulley install correct?

CitySubie · 09-15-2004, 10:28 AM

I never had to unplug it to change the pulley, but it could have been unplugged before when the driver side corner was being fixed.

I let my friend drive my car and a damn curb jumped out in front. $2800 in damages.

Where are these plugs? I couldn't see it at a quick glance. Are they hidden is the corner? Are they hard to get to?

Mulder · 09-15-2004, 11:13 AM

They should be right at the bottom of the radiator, either on the fans themselves or at the end of a short harness coming from the fan. The harness from the car plugs into them.

CitySubie · 09-15-2004, 11:43 AM

I will check tonight and let you all know.

But what do I do about the CEL lighting up? If the plug is loose and I fix that, will the light go out?

Mulder · 09-15-2004, 12:08 PM

Yes. The CEL will go out on its own if the ECU does not detect the problem again after three driving cycles. If you have access to a scanner you can reset it electronically but it's not necessary. You don't have to disconnect the battery either, just leave it alone.

CitySubie · 09-15-2004, 01:54 PM

Thanks Mulder.

gonzobutt · 10-14-2004, 03:27 PM

Hey all...

I just started having the exact same problem...same code pulled this afternoon at autozone...Checked the fans and they were plugged in, checked the fuses and they were fine, and then kinda pulled out the relay (im assuming you meant the relay in the engine fuse box) and looked at it like the foreign object that it was (i know little bout what im doin as far as this goes)...Is there some way to tell if the relay is okay or is it basically buy a new one and cross your fingers?
Secondly, if all three of those things are okay, what would be my next option?

Btw, 98 2.5 RS, only mod was a front bumper conversion...

Thanks for your help!

Mulder · 10-14-2004, 03:35 PM

You can try swapping the relay with an identical one from another position in the fuse box- just be aware of what that other relay does before swapping them.
Even before that, visually confirm the fan operation by watching them to see that they cycle on and off normally if the engine sits idling for a long time. Also make sure that the fans come on with the compressor when you turn on the AC.

gonzobutt · 10-15-2004, 02:01 PM

Okay...
First check, fans came on with the AC...seemed to cycle on and off...assuming thats supposed to happen...
Second, the fans came on a couple times during idling after it warmed up, so i took it for a little cruise around the block to see if the temp gauge would move...it eventually did, pretty much all the way up...so i pulled it over to check the fans and they were both working, but the temp gauge wasnt going down...thermostat problem then maybe? seems kinda interesting that itd throw that cel code if it was...then again, what do i know...
Thanks again!

Mulder · 10-15-2004, 02:06 PM

I see you have a 98, they are known for head gasket problems. That may well be what you are experiencing. The code is set when the ECU does not see the expected drop in temperature after the fans are turned on.

gonzobutt · 10-15-2004, 02:16 PM

Sounds wonderful...
You the man, thanks for the help!

RyansJDMgc8 · 10-16-2004, 06:45 AM

Stupid cops!

09-14-2004, 11:06 AM	#1
CitySubie Scooby Newbie Member#: 60099 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: N.Y.C. Vehicle: 2003 Impreza RS The perty blue one	CEL on and Temp gauge went up too Can anyone shed some light? I got pulled over and noticed after the cop gave me a ticket that my Check Engine Light was on and the Temp Gauge was up about 2/3 of the way. After crusing at 60 mph in 5th, temp came back down almost to normal, but CEL is still on. Looked under the hood and the engine was still there. Don't know, what gives? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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09-14-2004, 11:25 AM	#2
Mulder Trust no one Moderator Member#: 11170 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 02 WRX 05 GTO/11 Sonata(!)	You need to get the code read. If you can get to an Autozone they will do it for free, unless you are in CA. In CA I believe they will allow you to borrow the scanner after leaving a deposit so you can scan it yourself. You can also ask in your local forum for help from someone near you who has a scanner. Once you have the numerical code that has been stored, come back and post it for more help. It will also help to tell us what car you have and what mods, if any. The only other thing I can add is that from what you described, there might be a problem with the engine cooling fans, if they aren't working properly the temp will go up when you stop and a code will set and turn on the CEL. But that's just informed speculation until you get the code pulled.

09-14-2004, 05:25 PM	#3
CitySubie Scooby Newbie Member#: 60099 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: N.Y.C. Vehicle: 2003 Impreza RS The perty blue one	The code that came up is - P0483 I changed to a lightweight pulley - I doubt if that's causing a problem And I put on a Ganzflow CAI

09-14-2004, 05:28 PM	#4
Mulder Trust no one Moderator Member#: 11170 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 02 WRX 05 GTO/11 Sonata(!)	Well my guess was right, that code is for a "Cooling Fan Function Problem". Check your fans and be sure they are plugged in, the relay is ok and no fuses are blown.

09-14-2004, 05:53 PM	#5
munkis Scooby Guru Member#: 1847 Join Date: Jul 2000 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: brokenmotorsports.com Vehicle: Team Broken: V6 GF rallyarmor.com	Do you have a proECM? Jay

09-14-2004, 06:47 PM	#6
Ruff Scooby Specialist Member#: 32131 Join Date: Jan 2003 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Oregon City, OR Vehicle: 2006 Nissan 350Z Was 01 2.5 RS	Like he said, checked to make sure the fans are plugged in, they were unplugged and removed to do the pulley install correct?

09-15-2004, 10:28 AM	#7
CitySubie Scooby Newbie Member#: 60099 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: N.Y.C. Vehicle: 2003 Impreza RS The perty blue one	I never had to unplug it to change the pulley, but it could have been unplugged before when the driver side corner was being fixed. I let my friend drive my car and a damn curb jumped out in front. $2800 in damages. Where are these plugs? I couldn't see it at a quick glance. Are they hidden is the corner? Are they hard to get to?

09-15-2004, 11:13 AM	#8
Mulder Trust no one Moderator Member#: 11170 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 02 WRX 05 GTO/11 Sonata(!)	They should be right at the bottom of the radiator, either on the fans themselves or at the end of a short harness coming from the fan. The harness from the car plugs into them.

09-15-2004, 11:43 AM	#9
CitySubie Scooby Newbie Member#: 60099 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: N.Y.C. Vehicle: 2003 Impreza RS The perty blue one	I will check tonight and let you all know. But what do I do about the CEL lighting up? If the plug is loose and I fix that, will the light go out?

09-15-2004, 12:08 PM	#10
Mulder Trust no one Moderator Member#: 11170 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 02 WRX 05 GTO/11 Sonata(!)	Yes. The CEL will go out on its own if the ECU does not detect the problem again after three driving cycles. If you have access to a scanner you can reset it electronically but it's not necessary. You don't have to disconnect the battery either, just leave it alone.

09-15-2004, 01:54 PM	#11
CitySubie Scooby Newbie Member#: 60099 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: N.Y.C. Vehicle: 2003 Impreza RS The perty blue one	Thanks Mulder.

10-14-2004, 03:27 PM	#12
gonzobutt Scooby Newbie Member#: 61935 Join Date: May 2004 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Canton, OH Vehicle: 2005 WRX White	Hey all... I just started having the exact same problem...same code pulled this afternoon at autozone...Checked the fans and they were plugged in, checked the fuses and they were fine, and then kinda pulled out the relay (im assuming you meant the relay in the engine fuse box) and looked at it like the foreign object that it was (i know little bout what im doin as far as this goes)...Is there some way to tell if the relay is okay or is it basically buy a new one and cross your fingers? Secondly, if all three of those things are okay, what would be my next option? Btw, 98 2.5 RS, only mod was a front bumper conversion... Thanks for your help!

10-14-2004, 03:35 PM	#13
Mulder Trust no one Moderator Member#: 11170 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 02 WRX 05 GTO/11 Sonata(!)	You can try swapping the relay with an identical one from another position in the fuse box- just be aware of what that other relay does before swapping them. Even before that, visually confirm the fan operation by watching them to see that they cycle on and off normally if the engine sits idling for a long time. Also make sure that the fans come on with the compressor when you turn on the AC.

10-15-2004, 02:01 PM	#14
gonzobutt Scooby Newbie Member#: 61935 Join Date: May 2004 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Canton, OH Vehicle: 2005 WRX White	Okay... First check, fans came on with the AC...seemed to cycle on and off...assuming thats supposed to happen... Second, the fans came on a couple times during idling after it warmed up, so i took it for a little cruise around the block to see if the temp gauge would move...it eventually did, pretty much all the way up...so i pulled it over to check the fans and they were both working, but the temp gauge wasnt going down...thermostat problem then maybe? seems kinda interesting that itd throw that cel code if it was...then again, what do i know... Thanks again!

10-15-2004, 02:06 PM	#15
Mulder Trust no one Moderator Member#: 11170 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 02 WRX 05 GTO/11 Sonata(!)	I see you have a 98, they are known for head gasket problems. That may well be what you are experiencing. The code is set when the ECU does not see the expected drop in temperature after the fans are turned on.

10-15-2004, 02:16 PM	#16
gonzobutt Scooby Newbie Member#: 61935 Join Date: May 2004 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Canton, OH Vehicle: 2005 WRX White	Sounds wonderful... You the man, thanks for the help!

10-16-2004, 06:45 AM	#17
RyansJDMgc8 Scooby Newbie Member#: 65462 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Riverside CA USA Vehicle: 01' 2.5RS Silver/Carbon Fiber	Stupid cops!