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Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

19285 messages,  Last post on Jun 03, 2013 at 10:22 AM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Subaru Legacy, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, SUV


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Messages Page 1796 of 1929

#17948 of 19285 catalytic converter? by dryfly

Jan 07, 2009 (11:18 am)

Hi. I have 2001 Forester w/ 100,300 miles. Check engine light has been on since
this summer. Finally the Subaru people checked it and say it is code 490 and catalytic converter needs to be replaced. But I look up codes online and there is no
code 490. And even if it is the converter, what if I do nothing about it for a little while.
What could be downside of that?
 
Thanks, don

#17949 of 19285 Re: catalytic converter? [dryfly] by kurtamaxxxguy

Jan 07, 2009 (11:43 am)

Replying to: dryfly (Jan 07, 2009 11:18 am)
I cannot vouch for them but there are supposedly after market gas additives which will help clean out a catalytic converter. You might check with your local parts supplier to see what they recommend. JC Whitney and AutoBarn sell the stuff too.

#17950 of 19285 Re: catalytic converter? [dryfly] by xwesx

Jan 08, 2009 (12:24 pm)

Replying to: dryfly (Jan 07, 2009 11:18 am)
I recommend that you pickup an OBD II scanner (they are relatively cheap) as a first measure. That way, if/when the CEL re-illuminates, you can read and clear the codes yourself. P0490.... ? Not sure about that one, but if it comes back, you can find out what code it really is. If it is P0420, "Cat Converter Below Threshold," which is the most common one that results in a dealership recommending replacement, the cause can be multiple things, including a bad cat or oxygen sensor(s). I drove my '96 Outback for more than 60,000 miles with the P0420 code recurring, but never had any problems with my emissions readings (increased CO, etc). I did have lower fuel economy as the car aged, so I suspect a problem with the oxygen sensors, but I ended up losing the car before I had a chance to pursue it further. The car had 220,000 miles at that point.

#17951 of 19285 2004 Subaru Legacy by jdesantis

Jan 08, 2009 (5:20 pm)

I have a 2004 Subaru Legacy with 91K miles on it. It's the 35th anniversary edition.
 
Recently I have had an issue where the vehicle will seem like it will stall out. The car will idle at 2K RPM with the clutch in or it out of gear. When put into gear it will only go maybe 10 mph. I was told that this may be a "limp home mode".
Once I got it home and let it sit I fired it up again and it started no problem, I drove around town and maybe got 2-3 miles before it did it again. I was able to get home goign maybe 10mph again. since then it has sat.
 
The Cruise control light flashes maybe at 1 flash per second.
 
Anyone have any thoughts? I was thinking along the lines of the Throttle Position sensor but was told that it could also be a sensor connected to the accelerator as well.

#17952 of 19285 2000 subaru outback Timing Belt Replacement by mdshat

Jan 08, 2009 (8:43 pm)

I have a 2000 subaru outback limited, the car itself has 170,000 miles and then engine has about 135,000, I dont know if the previous owner replaced my Timing Belt and i was wondering when i should have it replaced, as well as if i can wait to get it replaced or if it would severely hurt my car/engine, if i wait. I'm about to drive a thousand miles at the end of the month and would like to get it straightened out before then if it needs to be done. Thanks

#17953 of 19285 Re: catalytic converter? [xwesx] by fendertweed

Jan 09, 2009 (6:39 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 08, 2009 12:24 pm)
right ... codes merely read symptoms, they do not tell you the cause...
 
I would hesitate to clear the codes without someone with more expertise than the OP (get a 2d opinion) going through it to see if its an O2 sensor or something other than the cat.
 
If the code isn't related to the cat failure and you don't fix the problem you can dump unburned fuel into the cat and then you will need a new cat.

#17954 of 19285 Re: 2000 subaru outback Timing Belt Replacement [mdshat] by ateixeira

Jan 09, 2009 (1:04 pm)

Replying to: mdshat (Jan 08, 2009 8:43 pm)
It is an interference design so if the belt breaks you will suffer severe engine damage and potentially get stranded 1000 miles away from home. I'd change it before you go.
 
170k on a 2000, wow!
 
jopopsy: I'd let the dealer look at that, probably a bad sender or something simple like that.

#17955 of 19285 07 Impreza no rear end traction? by jiromo

Jan 10, 2009 (11:27 am)

07 Impreza AWD
11,000 miles
Automatic
 
I found my rear passenger tire flat last Saturday (1/3/2008). There was a nail sticking out of the sidewall. My nearest dealership is about 50 miles away.
 
So, I had to have the tire replaced locally. I couldn't find the exact match for the factory tires (Bridgestone). So, I had to have a BF Goodrich with the same specs installed.
 
I took my car to Subaru on Wednesday for other service (I have been having issues with the heat/defrost controls sticking). It was slightly snowing that day and I took the interstate. I still drove around 65 to 70 mph because the conditions weren't bad. I had no issues with traction or sliding.
 
This morning, I got in my car and on to the interstate. I was going about 70 and the rear end of my car just started coming out from behind me. It was like I was driving on ice. There is no ice. It's too warm for ice. The roads were a little damp, but there was no reason for my car to behaving in that manner. (Honestly, it felt like I was driving my husband's mustang at too fast of a speed in pouring down rain.) I pulled off and was attempting to turn into a gas station. The rear end of my car just start skipping/jumping and shuddering.
 
My tire pressure appears to be fine. I checked all of my lug nuts. I have no lights on on my dashboard. I do not have a traction control button. My emergency brake was not on. I checked under the car and under the hood to make sure I didn't see any leaks of any sort.
 
I have never pulled anything with my car. I don't drive my car crazy-- I'm an adult female.
 
I can take curves at about 35 mph max without my car acting up. At 70mph on a straight-a-way my car starts fishtailing. My car has NEVER handled like this!
 
What else do I need to check before I have my car towed to Subaru??
 
I have Subaru Roadside assistance, so hopefully I won't have to pay for the tow. I don't like having to be without it. I don't like my husbands car.
 
Edited to add:
There was some kind of a low whistling noise coming from my car on my slow drive back to my home.

#17956 of 19285 Re: 07 Impreza no rear end traction? [jiromo] by kurtamaxxxguy

Jan 10, 2009 (11:56 am)

Replying to: jiromo (Jan 10, 2009 11:27 am)
my "guess" is something has gone wrong with the rear differential.
Many earlier Subarus (through around '08) used limited slip rear diffs, and if the diff's clutches have locked up, then it will not properly distribute power to the rear wheels, and cause fishtailing.

#17957 of 19285 Message---Ill 5 by saywhat

Jan 10, 2009 (12:42 pm)

I've been getting the message Ill 5 on my speedometer on and off.
 
It comes on for a minute or so then reverts back to the regular ( how many miles I've gone).
 
This is a 05 Legacy Turbo automatic.
 
Thanks for your anticipated help
 
Bob G

Messages Page 1796 of 1929

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