93 Imprezza Hatch - Issue or Quirk?

J

Jon

Hi, hoping anyone with the time to lend some wisdom would be so kind, i'd
really appreciate it.

Got an L Plate one of these, 122k+ now, had it for a few months. Was told
from the seller that on turn of the key to get the ignition lights on, I
should wait until I hear a click, in behind the dash. Almost as if that's
the electronics coming on line. Once the click has happened, I can start.
When taking key out, you hear a reverse "click", which must be the
electronics "parking".

From the day I got it, when cold, the "check engine" light would either stay
on or come on quickly, always accompanied by a similar click, usually a few
secs before the light lights. During this time I might notice a slight lull
from the accelerator pedal, which is a touch disconcerting.

Usually the light would go out, then on and off again shortly after, but
shorter duration, and sometimes a 3rd brief spell.. or because of the lull
between the audible click and the light coming on, i'd get two quick on/off
clicks but the light never appeared. Hopefully that makes sense. Pretty
predictable routine, every time.

Once this sequence is complete, the car is always fine regardless of journey
length/type/conditions - whatever.

Within last few weeks though, it has sometimes failed to start nicely,
either completely cold or after a brief stop (eg for petrol). I think in all
occasions i've given the accel. pedal a quick dab - instinct from the old
xr3i i was driving before (dont ask).. when it seems to be igniting, to
bring it to life better... But with this one, as mentioned when the CE light
is on, the pedal seems to sometimes have the negative effect and drops the
revs.. then I leave pedal alone and next attempt the car wont fire, starter
motor going like mad.. almost as if flooded. Leave for a few mins and sure
enough it clears and starts, but bubbly for a few secs until it all clears.

So i dont really know if this is a mechanic condition, or
electrics/software, or mixture.. but i'd like to know whether i really
should get it looked at, or whether this is just something that comes with
age and isnt really fixable (or worth the money when it hasnt really put me
out yet).

Feedback appreciated so much. Also anyone know what the deal is with the
immobiliser I/O switch down near the cigarette lighter?!? This doesnt seem
to be in the manual and just seems so bizarre to be placed there! I'm fed up
with having to explain it - and you cant just say "not telling u - but
please dont touch" - cos people will, and if you do it seems everyone wants
to scare you by flicking it off when ur just parked up too!

Many thanks in advance,
jon
 
a typical igniting system problem, and most igniting system problems will
lead to CE led on.

we've owned a toyota camery v6 le, and it got CE on after 3 months, alll the
car acted is like jererererrrrrrkking....

after 1 year, finally brought it to the auto-service station, and 2 spark
plugs are dead.
so I guess CE led are associated with igniting system such as alternator,
and ignitor,
 
hi, thanks for the reply.. spark related sounds probable, but it does clear
up so is definitely cold-state related - and sometimes there's no jerks or
stuters and still the CE goes through the
onnnnnn-offfffff-onnnn-offfff-on-off routine. i'd get them out and have a
look, perhaps just a touch dirty. hopefully get around to getting the code
looked up as well - assuming they'll do that quickly for free.

thanks again
 

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