Dreaded lights went away

[frosty86]

So, I've been plagued by this CEL and Slip light for a couple months, and now they went away altogether without changing the ECU. I thought i'd ask you guys since I'm not too sure what happened..

Anyway, I usually store a box that carries my auto detailing equipment in my trunk. Sometimes that box presses against the trunk light wire and the lining against back seats. My CEL and Slip light tends to light up when the box presses against them.

So I folded my rear seats down, removed the box and the slip light went away. I assumed it was pressing against a sensor of some sort, not sure what and why... Probably the car detected something pressing against the wire?? I really don't know but at least my slip light went away..

Then I cruised for a few days with only the CEL until one day I decided to clean my engine bay. While cleaning, I accidentally wiggled (or shook) this thing while wiping it down...

I initially thought it was defective or something.. so i slightly lifted it up and then left it alone. Anyway, I got back in my car and drove for a few blocks. Soon, my CEL turned off.

I thought I was hallucinating so I tried to replicate the result by doing the same thing; pressing the box against the trunk lining with the seats up. As expected, the CEL and Slip warning lights came back. So i repeated the steps I took and wiggled that pipe thing... Both lights disappeared AGAIN.
In return, my A/C started smelling like shit for a day... but my car isn't in limp mode anymore.

I know this sounds strange but it made my CEL and slip warning light disappear. So, what happened?
Thanks in advance.

[Chimpo]

Someone on here installed LEDs into their tails or reverse or (?) and had a CEL that they believed had something to do with the wiring in the back. I wish I could remember more details (super vague, sorry). It could be related, then again maybe not. I'm trying to find the thread right now...

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by Chimpo

Someone on here installed LEDs into their tails or reverse or (?) and had a CEL that they believed had something to do with the wiring in the back. I wish I could remember more details (super vague, sorry). It could be related, then again maybe not. I'm trying to find the thread right now...

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24246

Similar thread. Rear fog install where a wire in the bumper was disturbed.

[Rayme]

If it's anything like a 350Z, the car's stability system/VSC uses the rear light / brake pedal switch as an input for various calculation, aftermarket tail lights were a big no no on that car. So maybe a short/ground in the brake light circuit is enough to trigger a VSC system malfunction? Just throwing this out there.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by ottopilot

If it's anything like a 350Z, the car's stability system/VSC uses the rear light / brake pedal switch as an input for various calculation, aftermarket tail lights were a big no no on that car. So maybe a short/ground in the brake light circuit is enough to trigger a VSC system malfunction? Just throwing this out there.

I think the car has grounding issues to begin with; I get shocked every time I get out of the car. One of these days I won't ground myself and blow up the pump...

[RandomHero]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

I think the car has grounding issues to begin with; I get shocked every time I get out of the car. One of these days I won't ground myself and blow up the pump...

Ive noticed that a couple of times as well. This car has some serious character some days

[Ranatsu]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

I think the car has grounding issues to begin with; I get shocked every time I get out of the car. One of these days I won't ground myself and blow up the pump...

You used to have a WRX, you should know that its a Subaru thing.

[jimbobrand]

^This! All three of my Imprezas would shock me upon getting out of the car almost every day. Never experienced it in the BRZ though.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by Ranatsu

You used to have a WRX, you should know that its a Subaru thing.

Didn't happen with this much frequency in my WRX. Guess I'll make a grounding kit for the engine bay or something.

[Ranatsu]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

Didn't happen with this much frequency in my WRX. Guess I'll make a grounding kit for the engine bay or something.

The BRZ hasn't really shocked me yet like the Impreza would. Every single day in the winter I would get shocked while getting out of my WRX or STI.

Subaru actually made a door grounding kit for those cars in Japan.

Found a thread about them.

http://www.northursalia.com/modifica...ic/static.html

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by Ranatsu

The BRZ hasn't really shocked me yet like the Impreza would. Every single day in the winter I would get shocked while getting out of my WRX or STI.

Subaru actually made a door grounding kit for those cars in Japan.

Found a thread about them.

http://www.northursalia.com/modifica...ic/static.html

Ah, thanks Ranatsu. Maybe it's because it's winter-ish, but I get shocked EVERY day. Will report back in the summer.

[greenguy101]

For what it's worth I changed my front and rear blinkers to led's and several hours later my SL and CEL came on. It ended up being a coincidence though. When I took the car to the dealership, they said the code was due to lean fuel and ordered one of the new fuel pumps.