2002 Wrx missing and Blinking CEL

[theblurz]

Hi all,
I have another problem with my 02' WRX. The car has 160K on the original engine , No mods of any kind. Regular great maintenace.

After a recent fill up I got a CEL blinking. The blinking mostly happens on light throttle and cruise. Full throttle and the light goes off. The engine is definatley missing. Idle is rough. Since it has been about 30k since the plugs had been changed I pulled all 4. Clyinder 1 and 2 are worn but a tan color . Cyl's 3 and 4 are dark to black as if running rich. Plug number 4 the worst.

I did get a code prior to the plugs being replaced P303. Now I test drive it and it does not generate a code and just blinks on occasion. I drove 3 times and shut the care off all time. Still no code. The engine is rough at Idle and a bit hesitant under hard acceleration. Pulls hard with the pedal mashed.

Any suggestion would be helpful.

Notes:
Valves not checked.
All coil packs original.
MAS seems ok.

Thanks

[oguitar]

Did all these issues pop up after the fill up? If yes I would suspect bad gas. Take it easy on the car until you get rid of all the gas in the tank.

[theblurz]

yes the misfire started after the fill-up, and the code was P303.
Looking to drain the tank but don't know where the relay is to keep the pump running

[nsibanez]

if its blinking, thats probably a good sign of a bad bulb too maybe

[Ruh Roh]

i thought blinking means like pull over asap and dont drive car.. and regular light is ah your fine and drive it to the dealer lol

[nsibanez]

lol could be
i didnt read that part of the manual....
iguess it depends what kind of blinking too

[Donkey]

Blinking is a gross misfire. I would not continue driving the car.
IF YOU HAVE A MISFIRE CODE ,PLEASE READ THIS!!!

[nsibanez]

Blinking is a gross misfire. I would not continue driving the car.
IF YOU HAVE A MISFIRE CODE ,PLEASE READ THIS!!!

if i change to a lightweight crank pulley i could get a misfire code? what does it mean by phantom misfire...like its just popping the code without a misfire?

[Donkey]

if i change to a lightweight crank pulley i could get a misfire code?

Yes,but i happens less on the newer cars.

what does it mean by phantom misfire...like its just popping the code without a misfire?

Yes. A false positive. There is a certain "rhythm of motion" the ECU expects. The crankshaft rotation is a somewhat timed event. Lightened flywheels and pulleys allow the crankshaft to rotate/accelerate faster than normal. When this "rhythm" changes the ECU interprets it as a misfire even though generally this would be a slower event.

[theblurz]

i thought blinking means like pull over asap and dont drive car.. and regular light is ah your fine and drive it to the dealer lol

We have not driven the car. It is sitting. Aside from a valve clearance check. I am going to do a leak-down and Compression check as I change the spark plugs and swapped a coil and the engine is still missing.

Is there a way to check TDC for each cyl easily for the Leak-down test? I really do not want to pull valve covers in my driveway so I can see valve lift.

Thanks

[Donkey]

Google "TDC tool".They have some that screw into the sparkplug hole using a compression gauge hose.
http://tools.boxwrench.net/top-dead-center-whistle.htm

[theblurz]

Is there a way to bypass the ignition switch and use a remote starter switch so the ignition is not on.

[UEDan]

I'm sorry. Can you clarify your question?

Posted from a fone.

[SD_GR]

You want to turn over the motor remotely without the motor actually running? Typically this is done with a remote trigger for the starter combined with disabled injectors,

[Donkey]

Is there a way to bypass the ignition switch and use a remote starter switch so the ignition is not on.

I would just turn the motor over by hand using the crank pulley bolt. And yes. Same method they have been using since the 60's. http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...npro_9090007-p