Kiwi25X

I have been running a series 1 ’96 Stagea the 2.5L NA version for 4 years now. It’s the entry level auto with no mods and a full service record. When I first bought it I was pretty stoked with the performance. It had big mid-range power and could haul a huge amount of gear. I still remember overtaking a line of 4 trucks on a short uphill lane with 4 people on-board and a boot full of skis, boots and packs. Compared with previous cars, including 2500 Legacy and a 2.0T Caldina it returned good fuel economy. I could travel Wellington to Auckland on a 60L tank and still have some spare. Having read the fuel economy stats on this forum I was beginning to wonder whether I was just lucky to have a well-tuned vehicle or whether something else was going on. However over the past 2 years the car, which now has around 212,000kms has been disappointing. It doesn’t have the same power going up hills and can’t pull off the same epic overtaking manoeuvres. The same Wellington-Auckland trip recently took 1.5 tanks. More recently I’ve felt the transmission getting jerky and shaking a bit as it changes gears. I’ve done regular oil changes, and 6 monthly trips to the mechanic with few problems. I haven’t thrashed it too much, apart from the odd sprint across the Manuwatu flats. The diagnostic mode for the transmission and the engine come through all clear. The drop in performance has been pretty dramatic. Is it worth taking her to the engine tuner, or is she just getting a bit too old?

I take it the plugs are in the same place behind the coin tray? Where on this pic? Is the ECU the black box above the multicoloured fuse thingey?

Sweet I did the paperclip thing and it blinked 5 long 5 short. 55=all ok? Looks like it will remain a mystery. Having said that it hasn't stalled once since I've started messing with it so maybe I should just roll with it. It's really good to know all this stuff though for future reference. You're a legend chook cheers

yes, you can use the paper clip method, bottom left 2, marked in red. Maybe your harness is unclipped and hidden somewhere around the fuse box. Attached thumbnail(s) Reduced 93% http://post-a137279-P1020246.JPG' target="_blank"> 1920 x 1080 (756.52K) Is this what I'm looking for? Which 2 pins do I bridge and which light will flash? Are these the right codes (below from the same thread) and am I expecting a big flash followed by the code or does it launch straight in? ECU Diagnostic Codes 11 Crankshaft position sensor 12 MAF sensor circuit (air flow meter) 13 Coolant temperature circuit 14 Vehicle speed sensor circuit 21 Ignition circuit 31 ECU (ouch!) 34 Knock sensor 43 Throttle position circuit 45 Injector leak 51 Ignition circuit 54 Auto signal to ECU 55 All OK

Cool done that. After the initial long flash it does ten short flashes and then repeats, so I am guessing a S1 2.5 gearbox is more similar to an S2 RB20DE box. But that leaves me where I started - no diagnosed faults. I double checked the radiator is full and working well so maybe the stall is just something I will have to live with until I get rid of the auto altogether. Cheers for the help

I've got a series 1, is the diagnosis programme different from s2? For starters there isn't an "auto" mode on my AT switch

oops yeah I mean RB25DE. I've been reading too many other people's entries!

Hey guys I've just got a 1996 25X (RB25DET RWD non-turbo) with no mods and it's awesome! It's been running like a dream, clean changes no shudder and lots of low range pulling power. I am just a little worried about a transmission fault Twice now I've been driving along and the "check tranmission" light comes on. The engine stalls and the power steering siezes up. Both times I'd just been using 2nd gear to engine brake down a windey hill. I guess it might be overheating but I've checked the transmission fluid and it's clean and full. I really don't want to hemmorhage money on a AT fault when all I really want is a clutch and a proper gearbox!! But until I am rich enough to rip the bloody thing out does anyone have any ideas about what's going on?