Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

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19283 messages, Last post on May 01, 2013 at 9:15 AM

You are in the Subaru Crew Forum.

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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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Your Community Leaders are ateixeira and rsholland.

#2224 of 19283 Remote Starter/ fuel door questions by lmp180psu

Dec 18, 2003 (5:31 pm)

Hi everyone, I helped my mom buy a 2004 Impreza Outback Sport in September ( the Woodland Green is such as sharp color

and it has been very useful (we have 2 dogs) and comfortable so far.

My mom wants to have a remote starter installed and I was wondering if Subaru has any warnings against it. Would installing one risk voiding the warranty? I made an appointment for Tuesday to have it installed, and if there is any problems/warnings I might have to talk her out of it.

Also last night she said that the fuel door got stuck and would not open using the release. There was a small amount of snow and rain in the area last night so I said the spring/release might have had some ice in it. She used a key to pry it open. Has anyone else had this problem, or is it a widespread problem ( any TSB's etc.)? Otherwise for the first 4000 miles, this car has been great.

Also, Cheryl- good luck, and hopefully your mystery will finally be solved!

#2225 of 19283 Radio by originalbitman

Dec 18, 2003 (5:38 pm)

I'll be interested in knowing if it was a bad install or defective unit. When I installed my Blaupunkt Nevada in my Legacy I remember there being two identical connectors either coming off the wiring harness or on the back of the radio (sorry - don't remember which). Connected to one my radio didn't turn off with the iginition. With the other (correct) connector it did. I could still use the radio without the key in the ignition but it did not have the auto-off with the key.

bit

#2226 of 19283 Cheryl - I am so sorry about how this whole by subaru_team

Dec 18, 2003 (6:55 pm)

thing was handled. I'm glad it looks like it is resolved. Your case is still open and you'll be hearing from our Rep. tomorrow. I appreciate your patience with this. I really feel bad that you went through all of this for something that should have been easily resolved.

We'll be in touch.

Patti

#2227 of 19283 Louis by subaru_team

Dec 18, 2003 (6:57 pm)

Hi. I'm glad you were such a good help to your Mom! I don't have much experience with remote starters. We (SOA) cannot recommend them. I've read some negative things about them from other manuf. so I'd suggest she really think about it before getting one installed.

Patti

#2228 of 19283 Cheryl's Radio by samiam_68

Dec 18, 2003 (8:43 pm)

I SOOOOOOOO KNEW it was the radio!....lol

#2229 of 19283 by p0926

Dec 19, 2003 (6:50 am)

Louis- I've heard of one other instance where the fuel door froze and wouldn't open without prying. The design could probably be improved but I seriously doubt that Subaru will issue a TSB for it.

I don't know much about remote starters other than that they're popular in places like Wyoming and Montana. I doubt one would void the warranty but I too have heard a story or two about cars starting all by themselves in the middle of the night. I guess you need to do some more research/talk to people who've had them installed. (FYI: a quick search of Edmunds revealed 9 topics on the subject).

-Frank P.

#2230 of 19283 fuel door by 759397

Dec 19, 2003 (7:58 am)

I had the same problem last week on my 2000 OB. Went to the gas station and the door wouldn't open. Since it was snowing the past week here in MA at the time I figured it was iced up.....banged on it with a gloved hand and eventually got it to pop. It happened again a couple days later.

That is the only "issue" I have had with mine in the 6mos I have owned the car.

Hey it could be worse, my 1997 Jetta's doors used to freeze closed. I remember one time I had to enter the car through the trunk in Boston......try explaining that to the cops. "Really officer I have the key and it is my car....if I get in I will show you".

If it wasn't the whole door it was the locks in the VW.....loved that car but love the OB more now...what a snow hog.

#2231 of 19283 fuel door and remote starters by subkid

Dec 19, 2003 (9:38 am)

Louis-
fuel door would freeze if there was some melting/wet snow before and water got into the gas cap area. The "hole" has a flat bottom, so that water wouldn't leak out. Bad design? I think because a Subie is supposed to be a winter friendly car. It's difficult to just pry it out, because somebody or something has to hold a handle pulling the pin.

Remote starters - if that's an auto, it's piece of cake (at least in Canada - most of people have it). Manual requires more work and changing of driving habits - I don't think it's worth it. Cars starting in the middle of the night - mostly urban legends

), unless special type of starter is put in - there are starters reacting to a temperature of the engine, so it would start itself when temperature reaches about -15 and keep running until the engine warms up a little - enough to keep oil floating. Used in cold climate where electrical plugs aren't readily available.

K

#2232 of 19283 by ateixeira

Dec 19, 2003 (10:29 am)

Cool Cheryl, please keep us updated, but this is very encouraging. Maybe Santa helped out too? :o)

Remote starters would have to splice into the electronics, and look at what happened to Cheryl. I would stay at a minimum stick to a very reputable installer and ask for several references, for customers that have had it for more than a year at least.

Even then you run a certain risk.

Be a gentleman and run out and start it for her! :o)

Keep the vehicle clean and waxed, twice a year for the wax. Slippery, clean surfaces make it harder for ice to stick to.

Same with your wheels, was them too, to keep ice and slush from sticking and throwing your wheels off balance. This is for every car, BTW.

-juice

#2233 of 19283 DC Auto Expo by dcdouglas

Dec 19, 2003 (11:34 am)

Juice (or any of the other Crew members),
Is anyone headed to the DC Auto Expo next week?
--dcdouglas

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