Conking WRX

[Caitlin]

Hi All,

I've got a 2005 MY06 WRX manual (no mods) and I've been having problems with it for a while now and Subaru can't officially diagnose the problem.

Symptoms:
When taking off in first gear, the car sometimes splutters as if running out of fuel; then if I can't regain revs it randomly conks. I'm always able to start again after but sometimes it will repeat above symptoms again. It also sometimes idles on low rpm and sometimes shudders.
Yesterday I was paying close attention when it happened: I put key in turned ignition to on and oil, engine and battery light came on, punched in key pad numbers and booted up car. Fine as reversing out drive way but after taking clutch out the symptoms started happening. It didn't conk out cos I pulled over, checked lights and nothing unusual. I regained revs and drove off. Once on the road in top gear was fine. Sometimes it happens when i'm driving down the road too but always on increase acceleration.

It seems to more commonly happen in the afternoons when it's warmed up then I stop turn off ignition and go to drive it again (requiring re-enter of pin). I am assuming this it is normal that when I stop the car turn off ignition and restart, the pin isn't required? Only if it's a certain period of time after the ignition has been turned off do I need to enter a pin.

Subaru has had it for three days in total and she hasn't played up. They have done a full diagnostic check and reset. They don't think it's anything to do with fuel line/injection etc. as the've checked the pressures. They think it might be the immobiliser/alarm and that I should get it disconnected ($150) although can't guarantee this is the problem.
I've heard that by doing this it could affect your insurance premium although I haven't yet confirmed this with my provider.
Research on net has told me that similar problems are common with WRXs and most people have replaced the alarm system with something else. Haven't found anything with disconnecting?

Please give me any advice! thankyou

[Jezza]

Please take it to somewhere other than Subaru.

Could be a host of issues, but even the guru's on here won't be able to diagnose over the net.

Check the workshops thread for the a decent workshop near you.

[Caitlin]

Thanks I don't really expect a diagnosis.. just hoping for someone else to reply that's had the same problem and see if symptoms match up and if possible verify Subaru's claim.

[Kato]

Did you buy the car new, so you know it hasn't been moded in the past? Just want to check it hasn't had a tune and its been returned to stock.

FYI: The only time I had issues with rev dropping and such on my MY05 was when the injectors were increased in size without a correct tune.

[Caitlin]

I'm the second owner but bought it when it was less than 10 months old with 20,000kms on clock.. I've thought about calling the previous owner to check. I can confirm there are no obvious mods or paper work for the same.

Did you have similar symptoms? or was it just not idling properly?

[sleepy1386]

Well I had pretty much the same problem once in my bug eye. Mine actually stalled on the freeway then managed to start and stalled again in a round about causing a huge traffic jam. Got it towed to subaru melville got the brant replaced and it had been running fine ever since. But its was a $300 buks bill. If that the problem u r having atm, I would suggest u to rip it out and replace it with an Autowatch or something similar. Hope this helps

[JDM_STYLE]

Sounds like faulty Brant but as said take it to a trusted workshop other
than Subaru first though just to make sure its not something else.

Workshops can be found here:
http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6775

[gazza1]

it could be bad fuel that has clog up u fuel filter or fuel pump is dying on the other hand it could be a sensor thats dead i had a problem sililar but in a diffrent type of car and it was the sensors

[RichX]

Screwed Brandt Alarm Control Module under the dash.

[JDM_STYLE]

Originally Posted by RichX

Screwed Brandt Alarm Control Module under the dash.

Watch out with your spelling of Brant or some people in particular
will throw a hissy fit haha