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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 2 of 42

#3 of 406 2001 Subaru Legacy Check Engine Light "N/A" by turbotato

Sep 15, 2007 (5:58 pm)

Hi,
 
     I'm working on an '01 Legacy (140K miles) for a friend. The check engine light is lit, but the code reads "N/A?" I can clear the code, but it comes back after a few minutes. The car runs fine cold, but is a little sluggish just off-idle when warm...once you get it rolling at speed, it feels fine. I've checked the plugs, air cleaner, cleaned the throttle body, battery connects and given it a general look over...I see nothing obvious. With this kind of mileage, he doesn't want to invest a ton in it. Anyone ever run into this error? Thanks in advance for your help...MT

#4 of 406 Re: 2001 Subaru Legacy Check Engine Light "N/A" [turbotato] by ateixeira

Sep 17, 2007 (10:45 am)

Replying to: turbotato (Sep 15, 2007 5:58 pm)
No, and I'm really surprised there would even be such a code.
 
I wonder if paisan has seen it before, paging paisan...

#5 of 406 Re: 2001 Subaru Legacy Check Engine Light "N/A" [ateixeira] by xwesx

Sep 17, 2007 (11:01 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 17, 2007 10:45 am)
Makes me wonder if it is simply a problem with the scanner reading the code properly.

#6 of 406 Re: 2001 Subaru Legacy Check Engine Light "N/A" [xwesx] by ateixeira

Sep 17, 2007 (11:03 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Sep 17, 2007 11:01 am)
I have an Actron one, pretty simple, but if anyone's in the DC/MD/NoVA area and needs one they're welcome to come by.

#7 of 406 Re: 2001 Subaru Legacy Check Engine Light "N/A" [ateixeira] by xwesx

Sep 17, 2007 (11:06 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 17, 2007 11:03 am)
Well, what I am wondering is whether the scanner has some hardware limitations that make it not 100% compatible with the Subaru OBDII system. It may be an OBDII scanner, but that does not mean it has all the code compatibility.

#8 of 406 Re: 2001 Subaru Legacy Check Engine Light "N/A" [xwesx] by paisan

Sep 17, 2007 (5:13 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Sep 17, 2007 11:06 am)
Yup Wes beat me to it, it's the scanner not having all the Subaru OBDII codes. Often times this happens with cheaper OBDII scanners.
 
-mike

#9 of 406 Re: 2001 Subaru Legacy Check Engine Light "N/A" [paisan] by turbotato

Sep 18, 2007 (3:59 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Sep 17, 2007 5:13 pm)
Thanks for the feedback guys. The scanner is a fairly cheap one (~$100), but I've never run into a car it couldn't scan yet...there's always a first. I get so many requests to scan cars from folks at work that I always carry it in my backpack. Wierd how it will clear the code....but it comes back once the car has been driven about 5-10 miles. Another garage told the owner that the code comes back for a bad knock sensor. I haven't looked at it again, but the owner says that the knock sensor is tough to get at...Anyone been there done that? Thanks again for the help...MT

#10 of 406 Re: 2001 Subaru Legacy Check Engine Light "N/A" [turbotato] by xwesx

Sep 18, 2007 (5:50 pm)

Replying to: turbotato (Sep 18, 2007 3:59 pm)
I doubt it would have issues with all codes generated by the car's computer, but some of them are manufacturer-specific. I would not think the knock sensor to be one of those. In fact, it seems to me that a knock sensor problem would cause more of an issue while the car is cold than warm! Maybe I am just not thinking it through well enough though. How about airflow sensor? Input is bypassed from that circuit until the operating cycle reaches a preset temperature.
 
The knock sensor is mounted on top of the engine, just slightly on the right side (looking at the car from the front), and near the back of the block. It is somewhat underneath the intake manifold. It is not overly difficult to access, but it is a tight space - especially plugging it in!
 
Keep us posted with what you discover, please!

#11 of 406 Re: 2001 Subaru Legacy Check Engine Light "N/A" [turbotato] by deean

Sep 18, 2007 (10:56 pm)

Replying to: turbotato (Sep 18, 2007 3:59 pm)
Just changed this sensor ($60) on my mother's 2001 Legacy. Very easy to do. Haynes manual has good a description. Make sure to note the orientation of it. I put a long socket extension between the two throttle cables to get to the bolt directly below on the engine block. You'll need a new cable tie unless you figure out how to unlock it. Her car runs better now.

#12 of 406 "Check Engine" light + flashing Cruise Control light = ? by sapphireblue

Nov 05, 2007 (7:13 pm)

Hi all. I have a engine light question re: my 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5i wagon.
 
After driving from MD to NC and back this past weekend (with no problems) ... today I was driving around and, mid-way thru errands, the yellow "Check Engine" light turned on, and the green "Cruise Control" light started to blink on and off. I tried to "turn off" the CC using the handle by the steering wheel (even tho' I wasn't using it), but no luck. And stopping and restarting the car still gives me the error.
 
Any ideas on diagnosis and fix, or should I just take it into my local mechanic? (I'm not super car-fix handy myself.)
 
Thanks,
sapphireblue

Messages Page 2 of 42

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