K then, cheers man. Im gonna try clean my AFM first, before spending the $190, but first i gotta buy those security tools :/. Thanks for the help!

Ok big problem! I bought those security tools at super cheap auto, opened the afm, lathed it with heaps of Contact Cleaner on the 2 metal bits towards the bottom of it and cleaned it with cotton buds.

I put it back into the car and it now has dropped from a steady idle at 800-900 to a roughly idle at about 600. Its made it worse pretty much. The idle was fine before except it flucuated in the cold and heat sumtimes, surged in the cold etc

I shot it again after that dirty idle with some more contact cleaner. I really only allowed 10 mins to dry, not long. Was that my problem?

Update 2: Even worse, CEL is now on....i hate AFMs. It idles fine, but the CEL is still on. I take it this is a bad thing, would i have to do sumthing to make the cel go off?

Ok well after allowing alot more time to try in dust free environments and whatnot, the CEL has gone away, she idles at 900 like always, takes off nice but i noticed when it gets to 3 1/2 thou, she starts to buck.

I havnt put my boot in it past that for i fear for the worst happening

Upon more craptastic testing, i can drive it over 3500, just slowly, if i accelerate too fast it will choke. Im getting a new AFM tomorrow, to hell with this piece of crap, i just hope i didnt root it by trying to clean it.

Getting a new AFM from City Subaru. $213.50. Regency Motors was $250+ lol?

Very good idea buying a new one Spoolin. I went through exactly the same problems as you.

All 99/00 WRXers should seriously consider replacing their AFM by now. They really are crap and should be a service item to replace every 2-3 years.

The $190 was through a mate. Also IWRXOC members get discounts at STi Ozzie Park.

J

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"You can turn your back on a person, but, never turn your back on a drug. Especially when it's waving a razor-sharp hunting knife in your eye." - Raoul Duke

We'll we live and we learn. I learnt to not even bother trying to "clean" it. I Must of done something wrong whilst cleaning it cause she wasnt liking it one bit.

Im going to go with WRXTASY, if you have a spare $213.50, and have not replaced it since you have had the car, maybe have a quick think about it. If it aint broken, dont try clean it! LOL *hits head*

I have a MY00 and she still idles fine. The idle goes up slightly when the thermo fan kicks in but im pretty sure its normal. I have that in my falcon too

Well end of that sarga. Fixed it with a new AFM. Now she doesnt surge at all when going past 4.5k, doesnt buck at any amount of revs. All that is left is the surging on cold start. Spose we'll find out tomorrow morning

I replaced the same sensor 2 weeks ago, from what iv read you should look at replacing them every 30 000Kms in the 99/00. They are mostly damaged from oil based filters like the K&N ones. Thats why iv gone back to the paper filter (Apexi Pod). Sorry i didnt get to read this thread earlier

I have a Paper Tenzo pod filter. I just tried to clean mine a little and stuffed it tis all :P