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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 34 of 41

#326 of 406 Re: Check Engine light and cruise control blinking/Whining noise when accel [stk99] by shelty

Jan 02, 2012 (7:26 pm)

Replying to: stk99 (Oct 31, 2011 7:37 pm)
I too have a 2006 subaru outback but it has 130k miles on it. The ABS, Cruise control and check engine light have only come on a few times and every time I'm backing up in a tough situation. Hard snow at the end of the driveway where I have to really gun it to get over and things like that. The first time I was stupid enough to pay Burt Brothers $90 to turn it off then someone told me to just disconnect the negative battery connection for a few minutes. Tried this again tonight and it worked. Must say I've never experienced the acceleration or braking issues some of you seem to have but if you live in snow country this might come in handy!

#327 of 406 Re: Check Engine light and cruise control blinking/Whining noise when accel [shelty] by csmilich

Jan 03, 2012 (12:02 am)

Replying to: shelty (Jan 02, 2012 7:26 pm)
Theres.a problem with sensors I think. My car jerks and vibrates and misfires and the engine makes strange whirling and whistling sounds and the exhaust smells weird. I read that these are symptoms of a bad knock sensor. It listens to the engine and tells it when to detonate and all kinds of stuff. I'm going to replace it this week and pray that its the problem, so keep that in my if yours starts to do weird things like mine does. The engine light comes on when something triggers it but it could be alot of different things. I hate this kind of crap

#328 of 406 Re: Check Engine light and cruise control blinking/Whining noise when accel [csmilich] by csmilich

Jan 10, 2012 (10:02 am)

Replying to: csmilich (Jan 03, 2012 12:02 am)
So, I replaced the knock sensor, it runs alittle smoother but it's still misfiring, if thats possible. So Ive replaced the timing belt, O2 sensors, mass airflow sensor, ignition coil packs, plugs, and knock sensor. What's left? I'll put as much into the car as I owe on it before I find the problem. I'm thinking it's an electrical problem more than mechanical. Who can I call to get viable ideas before I trade it in? It's really pissing me off

#329 of 406 Re: Check Engine light and cruise control blinking/Whining noise when accel [csmilich] by mcharlie

Jan 10, 2012 (10:15 am)

Replying to: csmilich (Jan 10, 2012 10:02 am)
Cam or crank sensor? If the car has one, I would lean towards the cam sensor. This is like the rotor in an old distributor...it sets the timing of the spark..if it is bad, you will experience the symptoms you are describing. Again...I do NOT know if your engine has these sensors........Good luck..I know how frustrating a problem like yours can be!

#330 of 406 Finally! by mcharlie

Jan 10, 2012 (10:21 am)

After 6000 miles, my new (6 months ago) Outback with the Lineartronic CVT transmission, is hitting 30 MPG. I was beginning to think all the 30 plus MPG reports were BS. I chalked up the 25 -27 MPG we were getting, to driving at high altitude (5000 feet plus) and mountainous roads. I am happy now!

#331 of 406 Re: Check Engine light and cruise control blinking/Whining noise when accel [mcharlie] by xwesx

Jan 10, 2012 (10:32 am)

Replying to: mcharlie (Jan 10, 2012 10:15 am)
The car does have a cam sensor. Generally, however, it will throw a code if the cam sensor is out of spec. Did you ensure the alignment on the timing belt was spot on when it was replaced? If it was off by a tooth or two, it will make it much more difficult for your knock sensor to compensate.

#332 of 406 Re: Check Engine light and cruise control blinking/Whining noise when accel [xwesx] by csmilich

Jan 10, 2012 (10:38 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 10, 2012 10:32 am)
I had a NAPA shop replace the timing belt, so I assume they did it right, and if they didn't, I won't know, I'm not a mechanic. The code that came up was a misfire code, I guess. I switched the coil pack with cylinder 4, the one that was supposedly misfiring, to cylinder 2 and the code than said misfiring from 3 and 4. I didn't do anything with 3. I replaced all 4 coil packs last week. I haven't checked the codes recently since I've replaced the coil packs. So as far as I know there isn't a cam sensor code popping up. I was told the cam sensor might be bad 2 days ago so I'm going to replace it. It's really starting to piss me off really.

#333 of 406 Re: Check Engine light and cruise control blinking/Whining noise when accel [xwesx] by csmilich

Jan 10, 2012 (10:41 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 10, 2012 10:32 am)
Thanks for all the replies in trying to help me figure out the problem. The subaru dealer here hash't been too helpful. They've told me it could be a bunch of things, but I don't have the money to spend on the time it'll take for a shop to find the problem, but we'll see

#334 of 406 Re: Check Engine light and cruise control blinking/Whining noise when accel [csmilich] by xwesx

Jan 11, 2012 (11:42 am)

Replying to: csmilich (Jan 10, 2012 10:41 pm)
Well, try the cam sensor. It will cost you $50 or so, but it s incredibly easy (and fast) to replace. If that doesn't do it, I'd speak with the shop that did the timing belt and ask them to verify the cam/crank alignment. I'm not entirely sure how yours is behaving, but an "off by a tooth" situation would likely result in no noticeable difference at idle, yet occasional issues while driving.

#335 of 406 Re: [skymar] by mcrabbitt

Jan 18, 2012 (7:26 pm)

Replying to: skymar (Dec 19, 2011 6:48 pm)
I was told by a mechanic that when the computer senses a problem that will further damage your car by driving it, it goes into a certain "mode" (he told me the name of it, but I forgot it)....basically it means that it only gives it enough fuel to drive about 30mph. It tries to limit what the car can do, to protect itself. I just had a similar issue with my 09 legacy gt. the check engine light came on and the cruise control light and s-drive indicator light started blinking. I live on an island, so it will be a week or so before I can get it to a dealership, but he is going to read the computer tomorrow to get the code. But he did explain that subarus have this protection mode, so maybe that is why yours slowed down and felt like the brake was on??? Just a thought...

Messages Page 34 of 41

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