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what syptoms do you get with a bad ignitor?


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Hesitation/miss, sometimes bucking. and after it's been running for a long time, and I'm driving in stop and go conditions, it'll sometimes feel like complete spark cut, and will backfire when the fuel gets dumped to the turbo/cat....

 

idle would sometimes drop, but now recently, the idle is acting up, and sometimes just dies. I can restart, but barely runs. again, this is after warmed up and running for a while...

 

more background:

 

swapped/replaced/tested:

======================

MAF (swap with know good one)

New Coil

MAP/Baro Sensor

Air Exchange solenoid

Boost Control Solenoid - tested OK

TPS - tested OK

New FI Temp Sensor

New Knock Sensor

New NGK Iridium Plugs

8mm Plug wires tested OK (12k miles on them)

 

has stock ej22t exhaust currently, but I've got a 3" catless downpipe coming, and will have high flow cat and new 3" exhaust put on, along with a new O2 sensor as well....

 

has never thrown a CEL yet...

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def sounds like a bad ignitor, that thing by the firewall, however check your grounds too, the connections tend to get all messy during winter season

 

have u checked your knock sensor? finally try a different set of cables

 

I would get another known good ignitor and swap it in. They can drive you up the wall to diagnose.

 

nipper

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fuel pump okay?

i would probab ditch the iridium plugs, go with NGK Vpower BKR6E-11

do you have a steth scope, wouldnt hurt to listen to the injectors for good pulse.

hows the alternator

 

yeah, having enough gas is never a problem :)

 

the alternator appears to be good, but a VM is one of the additional gauges I'll be installing....

 

though I will be putting in a different battery

 

I've got a new set of '97 Outback plug wires I'd trade for a new set for a '96 wires :)

 

I need to remove the TMIC to get to the ignitor, then relocate it....

97ENG2.JPG

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well, swapped out the ignitor, and took it for a spin... after about 20-25 minutes of driving, it was well up to temp, and once I got into traffic lights, and had to stop, the idle started getting goofy and huge misses. had to keep it running, and make sure I kept the revs up so I could leave the light...

 

got to my destination. after about 25 minutes we left, and after a little bit, it started acting up again. as long as I kept it on boost, it seems okay, but if I'm at about 1/4 throttle or less, just cruising, it occasionally gets jerky.

 

I have a few more wiring things to check yet.

 

I know the IACV helps control the idle, but does it taper off thenwhen you get on the throttle?

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I tend to think the problem is with the fuel delivery though I may be wrong. If you haven't changed the fuel filter yet I suggest you do that and if that dosen't help you may try the fuel pump. May car had symptoms like you describe and a new pump did the trick.

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I thought I had a charging problem, but found a loose POS batt cable. fixed that before the last run, as well as a differnt ignitor. symptoms still there...

 

tonight did:

new fuel filter

removed partially installed FCD

new plug wires (though there are *JUST* long enough. really need some longer ones....there is no slack in wire #4 :) )

 

will test tomorrow afternoon....

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Success.... well, sort of....

 

it was back to the same old tricks by the time I got home tonight....

I left it running whne I got home, and tried to adjust the IAC, but still erratic. then I unplugged the O2 sensor. revved it a bit, and smoothed right out. did some more driving, and not even a spec of hesitation/jerking...

 

so the O2 sensor was trimming the fuel back too much.....

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Good deal McBrat. Glad you fixed it and thanks for the feedback.

 

well, not totally fixed yet, though running 100x better.

still a bit of jerking but easily to drive around...

 

I'll probably put a aftermarket fuel pump in it next.

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