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check engine - flashing, rough/sutter

This is the first engine problem I've had with my 2001 Legacy stationwagon.

I've had three days (one a few weeks ago, the other two yesterday and today) where the engine seems to stutter at times. When I started the car on these three ocassions, the check engine light would flash and the engine seemed to stutter or skip... I don't know how to describe it. It sounded quite rough.

The first time, the check engine light started to flash as I drew away from a stop sign, two blocks from my house. I pulled over and by the time I'd stopped, so had the flashing. All went well until yesterday.

Yesterday, and today, the check engine light started to flash right after starting the car and before leaving the driveway. The engine was also quite rough, that stutter/skip was back. After running the engine at about

3000rpm for 20s, the check engine flashing stopped.

This problem did not recur the other 4 times I started the car today. However, I would occasionally notice a small stutter or skip while accelerating at highway speeds.

I spoke with the dealership after the first incident. They suspected bad gas or stuff getting past the fuel filter.

I'm in Ottawa, the temperatures have been around 3-7C the past two days (that's roughly 40F I think).

What do you think? Fuel? Engine filter? plugs?

Reply to
Dan Langille
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A flashing check engine light indicates a real-time misfire. It is not a good idea to drive the car for any length of time with the light flashing as damage to the catalytic converter can occur from unburned fuel going through it. The car should be checked by a shop as soon as possible to find the cause as there are a number of possibilities including the ones you mentioned. Don't just keep driving it.

Reply to
mulder

Um - you might consider a different mechanic if they didn't ask you to bring the car in to have the troublecodes read.

You don't mention the mileage on the car - but likely it is old enough to possibly have 1 or 2 sensors getting old/lazy PLUS maybe have bad plugwires/coilpack etc. Seems the instances you mention were soon after strating the car. This is when the engine is both cold and possibly has condensation under the hood. If the codes comeback as 'just' misfires, suspect the wires/coilpack as one possibility. Engine Temp Sensor is another. Getting the codes read, the ECU cleared, and any new codes read will tell us - or your mechanic - a lot.

Carl

Reply to
Carl 1 Lucky Texan

I'd be real interested in what code the check engine light ends up being associated with. If the CEL comes on the engine controller will give ya a clue about why it's unhappy.

Can the odbcii code scanners that autozone and the like have read our

2001's these days?
Reply to
Todd H.

The car has 110,000km on it (roughly 60,000 miles).

Thanks.

Reply to
Dan Langille

The problem has been fixed.

The report: SSM MONITOR TESTFAULT CODE P0101 & P0103. MISFIRE #1 & #3 CYLINDERS.

They replaced the ignition wires and the ignition coil.

They also mentioned: that the inner spark plug seals and valve cover gaskets should be replace ASAP. They mentioned it should have a tune up and new plugs. I'll get that done during the next oil change.

and, FWIW, the alternator drive belt is starting to crack.

Reply to
Dan Langille

Reply to
Carl 1 Lucky Texan

I had exactly this problem with my 2003 OBS a while ago. My kms would have been similar to yours now (just over 100,000kms.) Replaced the spark plugs and it made no difference so I took it to the dealer. They spent an hour and couldn't find anything, but they did re-grease the connection between the ignition wires and the do-hickey on top of the engine.

Problem almost completely went away after that.

I still feel a slight sensation of mis-fire whenever I have just filled up with gas. Very minor and it goes away within a minute. I have to believe that it has something to do with pressure in the tank. Fuel pump should probably work better with more gas? A filter problem shouldn't depend on the level of gas in the tank?

Anyway, glad things are better for you. That was pretty dangerous. I pulled out of my driveway a couple of times and almost had the car stall in front of traffic!

Chico

Reply to
Chicobiker

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