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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 7 of 42

#52 of 406 Re: CEL Horrors - 2002 Outback Base Wagon [tompaine] by georgejung

Feb 08, 2008 (4:07 pm)

Replying to: tompaine (Feb 07, 2008 8:51 am)
Just an update. I looked diligently for enough information on 'which OBD tool does it take' to evaluate my 2005 Legacy wagon (2.5i), without too much success. Seems there are multiple options, and no guarantee which would do the job, with OBDII probably covering most of the emissions questions, but some other scanners dedicated to 'most' (but not all - esp WRX etc) Subarus. My small town, local autoparts stores wouldn't let me 'see' if the scanners they carried would work, without purchase, and they were pretty elementary scanners; from what I'd read, a scanner that allowed updates to the programs, and 'live assessment' of functions, seemed the best approach. So..... I took my car into one mechanic, whos' OBD II wouldn't read the codes. Then tried another - and his worked fine, indicating a bad oxygen sensor (?front one?). $160 plus labor. He suggested I call the nearest Subaru dealer - 150 miles away - to see if the drive train warranty would cover it. I did. It doesn't (though I'm still good on drivetrain to 80,000 miles). Seems the warranty on the sensors ran out about a year ago (I bought this car used - haven't 'needed to know' about the warranty before this!)
Seems I can buy an extended warranty, if I wish - but not for the sensors! ECU covered to 80K too.
So, I'll get this fixed, but I really should learn how to check/change the sensors myself, I suspect - if anyone can recommend an OBD II that they've successively used on a 2.5 engine, I'd love to hear it. And maybe a shop manual - ?Edmunds? - Any thoughts? Thanks.

#53 of 406 Re: CEL Horrors - 2002 Outback Base Wagon [georgejung] by xwesx

Feb 08, 2008 (5:29 pm)

Replying to: georgejung (Feb 08, 2008 4:07 pm)
On the 2005 models, you need to have an OBDII scanner that is CAN compliant. Most manufacturers switched to CAN around 2004, if I recall correctly. I am sure Mike (paisan) can clarify this.
 
I find Haynes manuals very helpful for maintenance, even very in-depth maintenance, but I am not sure if one is available for a Subaru as new as 2005. Looking on Amazon, there is one for Legacy/Forester 200-2006. Wow; quite a range! I imagine it is good for most of the basic stuff.

#54 of 406 Re: CEL Horrors - 2002 Outback Base Wagon [georgejung] by ateixeira

Feb 11, 2008 (12:54 pm)

Replying to: georgejung (Feb 08, 2008 4:07 pm)
I bought a cheap $99 Actron scanner and it works fine on our 2002 Legacy 2.5l. It also worked on my 98 Forester, and a friend's Suburban. One other car, I forget which one right now.
 
So it's not universal but it has worked on many cars and is so cheap that it pays for itself on the 2nd use.
 
Mine is the 9135, which I bought at NAPA:
 

#55 of 406 Re: CEL Horrors - 2002 Outback Base Wagon [tompaine] by sarie97

Apr 02, 2008 (12:01 pm)

Replying to: tompaine (Feb 04, 2008 8:33 pm)
Wondering what the outcome of this was for you as car is sputtering and cel on and the car is sputtering quite a bit- we are taking to a friend's shop on Saturday and wondering what we should let him know ahead of time maybe...thanks

#56 of 406 Re: CEL Horrors - 2002 Outback Base Wagon [sarie97] by selfish1

Apr 02, 2008 (12:58 pm)

Replying to: sarie97 (Apr 02, 2008 12:01 pm)
For what it's worth... My girlfriend's 2004 Legacy began exhibiting symptoms of CEL + flashing cruise control light immediately after she had her car serviced. We poked around under the hood and found that the technicians had disconnected an electrical connector adjacent to the air filter and hadn't re-connected it. After plugging it back in and starting the car twice, the CEL + flashing cruise light problem went away.
 
It wouldn't hurt to check all the electrical connections under the hood. Unplug any connection you can find and re-plug them to possibly re-seat the electrical contacts that may have become corroded or tarnished.

#57 of 406 mechanic say low compression in cylinder #2 by triniluv

Apr 20, 2008 (8:03 am)

i have a 2000 legacy outback a check engine light came on an it started idling rough and hesitating a mechanic checked the compression an said cyl#2 has a really low compression and is saying might be a burnt valve. he advise me to change my eng but i have only 71,000 KMS on this car which i only bought last may...ANY ADVISE or suggession would be grately appreciated...thanks

#58 of 406 Re: mechanic say low compression in cylinder #2 [triniluv] by nornet

Apr 20, 2008 (8:55 am)

Replying to: triniluv (Apr 20, 2008 8:03 am)
Someone may have unloaded their problem on you. That is a very low mileage car. But before I got too worked up about it, get the compression test verified by a second mechanic (or do it yourself). You or the mechanic should be able to isolate the problem whether it be rings or valves using the wet dry test. If it's valves, and all other cylinders are good, get a valve job only on the side that's bad.

#59 of 406 Loss of coolant 2006 Outback 2.5 Turbo by roadrunnerks

Apr 20, 2008 (10:31 am)

Bought Outback new, complained to dealer at first service of coolant smell from vehicle after long drives. Coolant resevior low , had to add coolant, dealer states no problem found. Added 1 gallon of coolant in a period of 12,000 miles. Kept telling dealer about problem on each service. Same comment, no problem found. While driving vehicle on vacation a few hundred miles from home, check engine light came on and cruise control light flashed. Vehicle overheated into red zone. Stopped immediately, let cool, added 4 bottles of drinking water, drove back home without overheating. Took the vehicle to the dealer, they stated that the head gaskets were blown. They replaced both head gaskets. I picked up the vehicle, drove 30+ miles home, notice burning smell from engine compartment, hopefully it is only residue from the repair. I am wondering if I should expect problems with the O2 sensor and cat converter. Ken Stroud

#60 of 406 Re: mechanic say low compression in cylinder #2 [nornet] by triniluv

Apr 20, 2008 (7:57 pm)

Replying to: nornet (Apr 20, 2008 8:55 am)
thanks for the advise ....wish it was an oxygen sensor...lol
 

#61 of 406 Re: mechanic say low compression in cylinder #2 [triniluv] by ateixeira

Apr 21, 2008 (1:03 pm)

Replying to: triniluv (Apr 20, 2008 8:03 am)
Could also be a bad head gasket.

Messages Page 7 of 42

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