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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 9 of 41

#76 of 406 'VDC OFF' and CEL code by subyob

Jul 03, 2008 (5:37 am)

I live in Australia and own a Jap. spec. 2000 H6 Subaru Outback VDC wagon. The 'VDC off" light has recently come on. I have had my Subaru dealer check this and fix the problem but they told me there is normally a switch under the dash to reset this light. Apparently on mine it is not where they expected it to be and they could not find it. Does anyone have any ideas about how to clear this code/warning light?

#77 of 406 Re: 'VDC OFF' and CEL code [subyob] by baccus49

Jul 12, 2008 (12:49 am)

Replying to: subyob (Jul 03, 2008 5:37 am)
Check this thread on how to turn it off
 
http://www.ozliberty.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3042

#78 of 406 Subaru Service Seattle by carp53

Jul 24, 2008 (10:16 pm)

Any suggestions on where to get my 2003 Outback serviced in Seattle ?
Check engine light on - P0030 code (bank one upstream A/F ratio sensor heater circuit)

#79 of 406 fuel injectors on 2001 Outback by subiekat

Aug 26, 2008 (7:42 pm)

I have a 2001 Outback Limited with 158,750 miles on it that I bought new. It has always had an intermittent "sluggishness" on acceleration from a stop or slow speed that Subaru service checked out more than once and told me it was the way the computer picked up on the way I drove the car. After clearing the computer 2 or 3 times to no avail, and since it was intermittent, I just lived with it. The car has been a great car up until about 130,000 miles. About a year ago, the CEL came on and the local mechanic (I live about 75 miles from nearest dealer) determined that the car needed a new catalytic converter. Had that replaced. No problems for about 6-7 months, then radiator went out while on out of town trip. Had radiator and belts replaced by local mechanic in nearby town. All was good for about a month then CEL light came on. Since I work in a small city (50 miles in the opposite direction of the Subaru dealer), I took it to a Nissan dealer there who had done a brake job on my Outback and had also replaced a leaking gasket. I have been very pleased with their work. The code showed P0303 Cyl 3 misfire so they replaced the spark plugs, coil assembly and spark plug wires. No problems for about a month, then CEL came on again. They (Nissan dealer service dept.) performed a fuel injection clean and changed fuel filter. Just a day or two later, the CEL came on again. Nissan people ran scan again, and again cyl 3 misfire. They have replaced wires, cleaned connections, checked and rechecked. They have "researched" and asked Subaru buddies that they know what to do. While they were trying to get info on what to look for, I was still driving my Outback even tho the CEL was on. Then last week after work, the car wouldn't start. It tried to start, but would just "cough" and die. Had it carried over to Nissan dealer, and they found fuel pump internally shorted. They replaced the fuel pump assembly and said that it has a slight miss at start up (very similar to the sluggishness that it has always had) and needs injectors replaced (approx $1200.00). I believe they have been honest and diligent in their work and think this is as good a guess as any. They did say that it is very unusual for ANY car to have the injectors go bad. Sooooo, my questions are .....Is this normal for a Subaru at this mileage? Does anyone have any other ideas? And, just what is the normal life span of a Subaru anyway? Is this the end? I was hoping to get a least 200,000 miles out of it. Now I'm thinking I need a new one. I have put quite a bit of money into this one so for this year. When do you stop putting money into an older car and start paying for a new one? I fell in love with my Outback and swore I would never own any other make of car, but now that I've read all the forum questions and problems and had similar ones with my car, I'm not sure. (I even test drove a Nissan! I feel like a traitor!) Any comments?????? (FYI - this Subaru lives in Texas, so no cold weather problems if that makes a difference.) -- 'Thanks.

#80 of 406 Re: fuel injectors on 2001 Outback [subiekat] by paisan

Aug 28, 2008 (6:20 am)

Replying to: subiekat (Aug 26, 2008 7:42 pm)
Why would they replace all the injectors when it's only cylinder #3 that is bad?
 
Also $1200 to replace the injectors is significantly higher than you should be paying. Let me look up the price of the injectors and we can go from there...
 
The injectors are about $125/each and shouldn't take more than 2-3hrs to install for a competent mechanic. So even if they did all 4 we are talking $800, maybe. But like I said, you should only have to do the one that is a problem.
 
As for all that other stuff leading up to the injector issue, some was regular maintenance, some was extranious. I've never seen a fuel pump go bad, if it were internally shorted it simply would not have worked.
 
-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host

#81 of 406 Re: fuel injectors on 2001 Outback [paisan] by subiekat

Aug 28, 2008 (9:30 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Aug 28, 2008 6:20 am)
Thanks for the info. Decided to get a new 09 Forester. Picking it up tomorrow. Appreciate your reply.

#82 of 406 Re: fuel injectors on 2001 Outback [subiekat] by ateixeira

Aug 29, 2008 (9:08 am)

Replying to: subiekat (Aug 28, 2008 9:30 pm)
Good luck, keep us posted!

#83 of 406 2005 Legacey GT Problems Help Please... by Speed69

Dec 14, 2008 (6:52 am)

I have a 2005 Legacey Gt 2.5 Turbo, Automatic. Just turned over 64000 miles (which of course takes me out of the power train warrenty). The car does not get driven much anymore but the wife and I took it shopping yesturday and suddenly got a Check Engine light with the blinking cruise. At first I was like humm loose gas cap or fuse something small. Then about 1/2 mile down the road it started to randomly make a Whoop ( kinda sounded like a siren) noise on the passenger side of the car seemed to be coming from under the hood. I was trying to baby it home so I cant say for sure if it was more under a turbo load or not but seemed to not make the noise if I wasnt on the gas. I didnt notice any true power loss but then again was trying to stay out of the gas as long as possible. I am waiting for a scanner to make its way to me but was hoping maybe someone could lend an idea. Thank you so very much...

#84 of 406 Re: 2005 Legacey GT Problems Help Please... [Speed69] by Speed69

Dec 15, 2008 (6:53 pm)

Replying to: Speed69 (Dec 14, 2008 6:52 am)
Ok here is what the scanner said. The code was a P0011 .. It read Camshaft Position... Actuator A Bank 1 Timing Over Advanced.. The car seems to run fine and no over heating or anything of that sort. So again any help?

#85 of 406 Re: 2005 Legacey GT Problems Help Please... [Speed69] by xwesx

Dec 15, 2008 (7:00 pm)

Replying to: Speed69 (Dec 15, 2008 6:53 pm)
Hmmm... not sure what it means exactly, but the timing is fully computer-controlled. I wonder if it was just a hiccup? Perhaps reset the error code and see if it pops up again soon. If so, probably something to take to a shop for diagnosis. Be sure to log this event (when it happened, driving conditions, etc), though, in case it ends up being a sporadic problem.

Messages Page 9 of 41

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