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Subaru Forester Engine problems

439 messages,  Last post on Aug 25, 2012 at 2:58 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Engine, Wagon

Messages Page 29 of 45

#277 of 439 Sub. Forester 06, 45,500 mls Intermittent Check Engine Light, cruise too by viman

May 11, 2009 (8:25 am)

Hi All,
 
Over the last 3 weeks, my Subaru Forester 2006 w/45K miles has had these lights upon start up come on, blink a little and go off. Then come back on a few days later upon startup, same process. check engines blinks, sometimes with cruise, once with battery - goes off for a few days.
 
The car just past inspection Sat. The inspection mechanic says if the CE light ws on, it would have failed inspection. Since it was not on, it could be misfires and not to bother checking, just live with it.
 
I thought it could be a built-in 'mtn reminder', dealer says no. Wants $60 (discount, normally $120) to find out the code (yes, NY)?
 
Advice please !
 
Thanks

#278 of 439 Re: Sub. Forester 06, 45,500 mls Intermittent Check Engine Light, cruise too [viman] by xwesx

May 11, 2009 (9:28 am)

Replying to: viman (May 11, 2009 8:25 am)
Get a code reader! Use it twice, at the rate your dealer wants to charge you, and it paid for itself...
 
Are you noticing any obvious signs of trouble? Is the engine running rough? Stuttering?

#279 of 439 Re: Sub. Forester 06, 45,500 mls Intermittent Check Engine Light, cruise too [viman] by ateixeira

May 11, 2009 (12:07 pm)

Replying to: viman (May 11, 2009 8:25 am)
I'll echo what Wes already mentioned - they are worth every penny.
 
I paid $99 and they're cheaper now, plus I've used it on 4 different cars, including to help friends.

#280 of 439 Re: Sub. Forester 06, 45,500 mls Intermittent Check Engine Light, cruise too [ateixeira] by pf2001

May 11, 2009 (12:26 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (May 11, 2009 12:07 pm)
Hi Ateixeira,
 
Where did you pick up your code reader?
 
Thx

#281 of 439 Re: Sub. Forester 06, 45,500 mls Intermittent Check Engine Light, cruise too [pf2001] by ateixeira

May 11, 2009 (1:50 pm)

Replying to: pf2001 (May 11, 2009 12:26 pm)
At a NAPA auto store. I got an Actron unit, pretty basic, for $99 at the time. It was on sale.
 
I've seen even cheaper ones but some of them can only read codes and not reset them, so make sure you get one that can do both.
 
With a code it's much easier to troubleshoot the problem, could be anything from a gas cap that's not air tight to a bad catalytic converter.

#282 of 439 Re: Sub. Forester 06, 45,500 mls Intermittent Check Engine Light, cruise too [ateixeira] by phil2000

Jun 05, 2009 (9:56 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (May 11, 2009 1:50 pm)
In New Jersey Advanced Auto will let you borrow their scanner (after giving them your license). Auto Zone sends someone out to your car. They say the state does not want you to erase the codes (and CEL) then run to the inspection station before it comes on again. Which I am tempted to do with the P0301 & P0420.

#283 of 439 01 forester S issues with CEL engine light by jik

Oct 04, 2009 (1:03 pm)

I am planning to sell this car. Just got the oxygen sensor replaced -- dealer charged me 800 for that work.
 
Quick acceleration borught the engine light on -- it has been doing that for number of years . Everytime its some issue with oxy sensrs. Tired of spendng at dealer.
 
Now the engine light is on. asked him to look at it and he told me the diagnostic will cost 70 more. I was hoping it was follow up to the earlier work he did.
 
Anyway, I want to get rid of the engine light. Any ideas. I got the code read at carx but the code did not vanish (it did last time the code was read). Is there a way to read the code so that it will vanish.

#284 of 439 Re: 01 forester S issues with CEL engine light [jik] by jik

Oct 04, 2009 (1:04 pm)

Replying to: jik (Oct 04, 2009 1:03 pm)
yaa the code is P0420

#285 of 439 Re: 01 forester S issues with CEL engine light [jik] by ateixeira

Oct 05, 2009 (7:50 am)

Replying to: jik (Oct 04, 2009 1:04 pm)
Look that up to be sure but I think that's a misfire.
 
The O2 sensor is merely reporting a symptom, I don't think it's the problem, per se.
 
My guess is it would be a misfire caused by a bad spark - I'm thinking spark plugs, plug wires, or even the ignition coil.
 
Those are all cheap, the coil is about $80 but my 98 Forester only had one. Plus it's easy to change.
 
If unburned fuel makes it downstream, the O2 sensor will (correctly) report a presence of oxygen in the exhaust stream.

#286 of 439 Re: 01 forester S issues with CEL engine light [jik] by xwesx

Oct 05, 2009 (9:51 am)

Replying to: jik (Oct 04, 2009 1:04 pm)
P0420 is "cat converter below threshold." If replacing oxygen sensors did not resolve the problem, then it likely does need a new cat (at some point). The cheapest way do deal with this problem is to get your own code reader (one or two trips to your dealer will more than pay for it!) and scan (to verify the code) / clear as necessary.
 
Catalytic converters are a normal wear item, so keep any car long enough and you can expect to replace one.

Messages Page 29 of 45

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