Starts and then cuts out! VSS?

[Griff71]

I have been running an rjes conversion for a few years now and not had any major problems. I do not have a VSS fitted but it hasn't been a problem and i have not experienced any issues. Until today......

This morning and this evening after work fired up then cut out. Did this 4-5 times until finally would idle. Worse still my fault light appears to have packed up so will pick up a new bulb tomorrow.

I have disconnected battery but appears to have no change. If i remember correctly it runs exactly as it did when i fired the motor for the first time after completing the conversion and finding out i had got the key the wrong way around. (Subaru). I haven't checked the key as there is no way it could have possibly have moved.

I also noticed that there are a few posts on here regarding emissions and failed mots. Originally my conversion did fail mot on emissions however i later fitted a cat and has passed twice since. I now wonder whevever i have other issues but then the only fault code i used to get was regarding VSS (33). Although occasionally i would get 24 relating to idle control.

My conversion has covered near 40k now and is a daily driver. May be i have just been lucky? I also fitted it in a pitch black barn with little facilities and as i have not experienced too many issues little has changed. Maybe i just need to tidy a few bits up.

Any ideas?

Thanks
Griff

[ElusiveStranger]

Can you be a bit more specific as to what the circumstances where when it cut out? ie Idling, accelerating, cruising (throttle in constant posn) etc
_________________
The advice you receive on here is worth the paper it's written on.
Your experiences are worth shed loads to others, including the f'ups - live and learn.
Wouldn't YOU rather learn by someone else's mistakes? So would they.

'78 Bay, 2 litre 091 box, EJ20 NA & the ashtray's on the 'right' side.
I don't lean forward for hills any more
Bugger, missed out on "Live fast, die young"

[rjes]

If it cut out shortly after starting, before you had moved anywhere, then it is definitely not VSS related.

Had the battery been disconnected for a long time immediately before cutting out by any chance?

When it cut out a few times in a row, did it always run for exactly 2 - 3 seconds then cut out cleanly, exactly as if you'd tyned the ignition off?

Getting the error code light working may well provide some useful info.



One of the two customers with identical engine management systems which you mention who have had emissions problems has solved the problem. I did some work on another conversion with the same engine management which did not have the same problem, so I looked for differences between the two. It turns out the one with the emissions problem had a different airflow meter fitted. The customer found some useful evidence on the internet which proved that the two airflow meters in question are definitely not interchangeable, and a bit of experimenting proved the one he had from his Legacy domor was the wrong one.
Coincidentally the other customer also has the same, incorrect airflow meter, with similar symptoms. I think he's now looking for the right airflow meter (22680 AA190, which has a brown label, in case anyone has one available?).

To my knowledge, any Subaru engine which is running correctly should pass the UK emissions test for a T25 without a catalytic converter. Yours must be running pretty close to correctly as you've put 40,000 miles on it. Are you sure the MOT man didn't test it to the wrong rules? If I remember right it was from March '93 that cats were required in the UK, so cars after then are tested to a tighter spec. Conveniently that's just after they stopped selling UK spec T25's.
I've certainly not come across anyone else who has had to fit a cat to get an MOT, although I can think of some cirumstances where it would be necessary. If your T25 is on a 'J' or later plate (import, late, or incorrect registration), the MOT man will correctly test it as if it had a cat. If this is a problem for anyone, I think the DVLA will issue a correct age related plate for free if you provide suitable evidence of the build date. You just pay for the new plates. Thet's certainly what happend a few years ago when I imported a bay which had been first registered a year after being sold in Germany anyway.
_________________
Regards,

Richard,

R J Engineered Solutions
Quality Subaru Powered VW Components
www.rjes.com

[Griff71]

Thanks for getting back i forgot i posted this as cutting out has stopped. Would happen imediately when turning the key would run for a second and then cut out as if ignition had been switched of. Had a few days of this first thing in the morning and when leaving work 8 hours later. On about 4-5th attempt engine would run fine with no issues.

If anyone has any ideas on this i would be grateful as i assume it may return at some stage.

My error light still states there is only a vss error, i dont have one and then error has been showing for the last two years. Maybe i should get one just to make the error go away.

[ElusiveStranger]

Your chip has moved on the immobiliser cct.
Tape it to a "Big Screwdriver", wrap that in 15mm pipe lagging, tweek it until it works, mark the spot with Tippex
Turn up at a show with cookies and beer
Job done.
_________________
The advice you receive on here is worth the paper it's written on.
Your experiences are worth shed loads to others, including the f'ups - live and learn.
Wouldn't YOU rather learn by someone else's mistakes? So would they.

'78 Bay, 2 litre 091 box, EJ20 NA & the ashtray's on the 'right' side.
I don't lean forward for hills any more
Bugger, missed out on "Live fast, die young"