- #104 of 148
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Thanks
by andydg
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Apr 23, 2009 (8:05 am)
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Followed the advice here and now own a memoscan U480, read the codes and erased them putting out the lights. VDC, CEL, flashing cruise light. Codes noted in case it repeats.
Thanks guys some great advice here.
Andy in the UK
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- #105 of 148
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Re: 2001 Subaru Legacy Check Engine Light "N/A" [lostinmaryland]
by gordon_junkie
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Apr 24, 2009 (4:39 pm)
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Replying to: lostinmaryland (Jan 29, 2008 9:06 pm)
i have a 1995 lagacy L station wagon, my check engine light stays on all the time. I had it scanned and was told it was the air flow senser which is connected to the air filter box. I replaced it and still have the same problem. Anyone got any suggestions??? I'm at a loss. Thanks.
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- #106 of 148
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Re: 2001 Subaru Legacy Check Engine Light "N/A" [gordon_junkie]
by 2009buyer
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Apr 24, 2009 (5:00 pm)
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Replying to: gordon_junkie (Apr 24, 2009 4:39 pm)
I got rid of my 1996 in January because of the same problem and the propensity of garages to charge for things cars don't need. The dealership looked at mine under warranty way back when and could never find anything wrong with it. Several people on this forum have advocated to buy a scanner and then just clear the codes and the light goes out. But mine went back on after about 100 miles. So unless you have to have it smogged and have the light out for that, just ignore it and go your merry way. I think it is a flaw in the car since mine had that problem from about 45, 000 miles to 188,000 miles. Great car anyway.
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- #107 of 148
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Re: 2001 Subaru Legacy Check Engine Light "N/A" [gordon_junkie]
by ateixeira
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Apr 27, 2009 (7:05 am)
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Replying to: gordon_junkie (Apr 24, 2009 4:39 pm)
Do you recall the error code? P0400 something like that?
These codes are merely reporting symptoms of a problem, not the actual problem itself.
For instance, you may get a catalyst operating below an efficiency treshold error, but it could be a bad spark plug that doesn't burn all the fuel, so downstream the catalyst notes the presence of too much oxygen in the exhaust stream.
The code does not mean the catalyst is bad, however.
If we have a code it might help narrow it down at least.
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- #108 of 148
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Re: 2001 Subaru Legacy Check Engine Light "N/A" [ateixeira]
by gilson1
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May 27, 2009 (10:37 am)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Apr 27, 2009 7:05 am)
my 2002 Subaru Legacy Outback 149k has been giving me cel errors since 102k. Always passes emissions...have put in 3 cat converters...last one was "customized with a bigger biskit" Drove 149 miles turned it off for 5 days. started it up and light back on. car runs perfect and always passes emissions. Muffler shop is working with me but we can't tell what it is...last time it was suggested that it may be running rich causing the cat con to get too hot (some discoloration). this is a pain in the a$$ because I can't trade it in or sell it with that light on. looking for suggestions
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- #109 of 148
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Re: 2001 Subaru Legacy Check Engine Light "N/A" [gilson1]
by ateixeira
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May 27, 2009 (10:43 am)
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Replying to: gilson1 (May 27, 2009 10:37 am)
First I'd try to reset just the light, see how long it stays off.
If that fails I'd reset the ECU completely, see if that lasts longer.
Then just trade it while the light is off. 
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- #110 of 148
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Re: 2001 Subaru Legacy Check Engine Light "N/A" [gilson1]
by xwesx
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May 27, 2009 (11:24 am)
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Replying to: gilson1 (May 27, 2009 10:37 am)
Have the oxygen sensors been replaced? If not, I suspect one or both may be giving a "false positive" on the catalytic converter. I assume you are getting the P0420 code, "cat below threshold." That code is generated when the oxygen differential between the fore and aft sensors is not great enough. As a result, the problem could be due to an inefficient cat, or it could be due to the sensors aging and lacking the sensitivity to provide accurate readings.
I had that code for 50,000 miles on my Outback. Tailpipe emissions were within spec that whole time, so I fully suspect the sensors were the problem. I was going to replace them in the spring of 2007 but alas, fate had other plans.
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- #111 of 148
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Re: 2001 Subaru Legacy Check Engine Light "N/A" [gilson1]
by dswiss
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May 28, 2009 (8:50 am)
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Replying to: gilson1 (May 27, 2009 10:37 am)
As you probably know, it could be a whole lot of things (last but not least one of the many oxygen sensors). Here is a little tip of what you can do to sell or trade it in: Reset the CEL by disconnecting the positive cable from the battery and shorting it for a few seconds to the chassis ground. Then reconnect it. That way the computer is reset and the CEL will be out and it will likely stay out for a few days.
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- #112 of 148
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Re: 2001 Subaru Legacy Check Engine Light "N/A" [dswiss]
by gilson1
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May 28, 2009 (9:09 am)
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Replying to: dswiss (May 28, 2009 8:50 am)
right on dswiss
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- #113 of 148
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Re: 2001 Subaru Legacy Check Engine Light "N/A" [dswiss]
by xwesx
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May 28, 2009 (12:21 pm)
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Replying to: dswiss (May 28, 2009 8:50 am)
Brilliant - dupe the next owner. We certainly need more folks with your mindset in our communities. 
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