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Subaru Legacy/Outback "Check Engine" Light Problems

406 messages,  Last post on Mar 07, 2013 at 11:38 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Wagon

Messages Page 18 of 41

#171 of 406 Re: 2001 Subaru Outback with Check Engine Light [haljordan1] by fibber2

Jan 27, 2010 (12:56 pm)

Replying to: haljordan1 (Jan 27, 2010 11:05 am)
I'm afraid not. OBD-II is for monitoring engine performance that impacts emissions compliance. Anything that would push the emissions to 1.5X or so of the EPA certification will log a code & trigger the light. While the manufacturer does play a role in selecting sensors and the test methodology, you can be sure that windshield washer performance was not part of the monitoring plan!
 
I'm constantly getting car wax into the nozzles, degrading the flow. The opening is pretty big, so try going at it with a needle or a stripped length of fine electric wire.

#172 of 406 Re: 2001 Subaru Outback with Check Engine Light [fibber2] by ateixeira

Jan 28, 2010 (10:31 am)

Replying to: fibber2 (Jan 27, 2010 12:56 pm)
If it's below freezing, you may have old fluid in there that no longer has its antifreeze capability. That's happened to me before.

#173 of 406 Re: 2001 Subaru Outback with Check Engine Light [ateixeira] by haljordan1

Jan 29, 2010 (5:25 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 28, 2010 10:31 am)
Thank you for the responses. I took the car to the dealer, and it was an oxygen sensor that was causing the CEL. They replaced it and its now off. Paid ~230 parts/labor
 
The wiper issue was plain stupid me. Ran out. I thought I had just filled it - I will check for cracks.

#174 of 406 Re: 2001 Subaru Outback with Check Engine Light [haljordan1] by fibber2

Jan 29, 2010 (6:20 pm)

Replying to: haljordan1 (Jan 29, 2010 5:25 pm)
The OEM Oxygen Sensor is around $100 for the front, $135 for the rear. Add in an hour or so for reading the code and scoping the sensor output. Good diagnostics include making sure that this is really the cause, and not something that is simply fingering it as the cause! Change the sensor, rescope to be sure it works, then test drive and read the codes again to be sure that it hasn't logged a new pending code that will throw a CEL two days from now.
 
Add it up, and I'd say you are north of 2 bills!

#175 of 406 CEL Catalytic Converter by frogzone

Jan 30, 2010 (11:13 am)

I have a 2002 Outback and the check engine light has been on for a couple of years now. This year, my mechanic said that it will no longer pass emissions testing and I have to resolve the issue. His code pointed to the catalytic converter, but he said that I need to have the dealer do it because he's replaced a bunch of them and the CEL comes back on. After reading the thread above, I'm reluctant to pay $1200 to replace the catalytic converter if that is not really the problem. How will I know before spending the money? And is this a common problem? Thanks.

#176 of 406 Re: CEL Catalytic Converter [frogzone] by fibber2

Jan 30, 2010 (2:53 pm)

Replying to: frogzone (Jan 30, 2010 11:13 am)
I could write a book on this subject, but don't have time to elaborate today. Basically, I personally don't like simple code readers because they tell you little, leaving you to guess what to fix. A computer scanner gives you snapshot data of the events logged at the same time surrounding the throwing of the code. Plus OBD realtime monitoring under operating conditions (plotting RPM, load, temps, throttle position, front and rear O2 sensor output voltage, etc.) provide solid data that can pinpoint the probable cause of fault. Finally, the dealer can tap directly into the O2 sensor wiring and scope the output to confirm that the wiring back to the ECM is OK. It could be an ECM mental problem, an oxygen sensor issue, an inefficient cat, or even something as simple as a temperature sensor calibration that is allowing the system to switch from open loop to closed loop too early and logging a code before the cat is fully warmed up.
 
Your local mechanic is smart. Without the proper tools, he can only begin changing things and hope for the best. You'll pay more at the dealer, but they then have to warranty their work.

#177 of 406 Re: 2001 Subaru Outback with Check Engine Light [haljordan1] by ateixeira

Jan 30, 2010 (3:00 pm)

Replying to: haljordan1 (Jan 29, 2010 5:25 pm)
All things considered both issues are resolved and you spent a lot less than I expected, so call it good.

#178 of 406 Re: CEL Catalytic Converter [fibber2] by ateixeira

Jan 30, 2010 (3:02 pm)

Replying to: fibber2 (Jan 30, 2010 2:53 pm)
Yup, they only describe a symptom.
 
If the cat is going bad, it still had to be something upstream that let unburned fuel pass, which clogged up the cat. A new cat may just clog up again eventually.

#179 of 406 Thanks fibber2 by yasu

Jan 30, 2010 (4:08 pm)

Thanks fibber 2 for your response. I look forward (hopefully before too long) to your piece that you are going to write on this subject. My 2002 has been a great snow car for me and it runs great except for that pesky CEL. I am past the point of no return financially with this car and if I could get to the bottom of it and find out what is causing this.. I would be a very happy person. Has Subaru ever ackknowledged that this is a problem? At this poiont I am not asking them to pay..just tell me what it is so I don't have to keep paying. At least on here I know that I am not alone..misery loves company..I guess. Again..many thanks for your reply.

#180 of 406 Re: CEL Catalytic Converter [frogzone] by dswiss

Jan 30, 2010 (5:59 pm)

Replying to: frogzone (Jan 30, 2010 11:13 am)
Well, frogzone, I don't want to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that I went through three new cat converters and numerous replacements of sensors, switches and even a totally new transmission at three different dealers on my Legacy. All this within the 36000mi warranty. When it hit 36000 and the CEL came on again, I sold the car. As you can tell from reading through this thread, this problem is not a maintenance issue, but a basic design flaw to which Subaru has never admitted to. I don't know if the newer models still have this issue, and I don't want to find out. I lost so much $$$ on my car that I am done with Subaru.
good luck with yours.

Messages Page 18 of 41

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