mystery plug wire mismatch

Rundown · 01-27-2011, 06:43 PM

My 2005 Impreza Outback Sport develoed a miss and the check engine light came on and the cruise light flashed. My mechanic says the OBD says #3 misfire. OK, it has 110,000 needs plugs and wires. However, he calls and says it is a Calf model and the wires he ordered won't fit as they are mismatched to the distributor (I know it isn't a distributor, but can't remember what they are now called).
Is he right that there are different wires for Calf emission engines and Pa. engines (this car was sold new in Pa and never out as far as I know)?

I see nothing here on this and the parts vendors I have checked just list a single wire set for 2005 Outback Sports????

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Back Road Runner · 01-27-2011, 07:04 PM

It sounds like BS. Plug wires are pretty basic things and they don't do anything special in relation to emissions at all. The tech might have ordered the wrong year or something as the ignition system has changed over the years.

Rundown · 01-27-2011, 07:52 PM

I forgot to mention that he said it was a male female plug issue, ie he got wire that were male where they plug into the distributor instead of female ( I may have that backwards).

Do all Subaru have female -female ended plug wires?

renyo · 01-27-2011, 09:05 PM

Yes... well the EJ series do at least.

Rundown · 01-27-2011, 11:19 PM

Thank you for your prompt reply, I will be curious to see these mystery wires.

renyo · 01-28-2011, 08:56 AM

I've seen some wires that looked different because the coil pack was slightly off to the side (one side was shorter maybe?). Instead of coming straight out the boot part was bent at 90 degrees on the coil pack side. They should still be female on the coil pack side though.

Edit: Apparently someone already posted this in the other plug wires thread...

Boxer4Dad · 01-28-2011, 10:27 AM

I thought 2005 was the first year for right angle plugs at the coil pack, because it got moved for better corrosion resistance. The older ones are straight-on, are they not? Maybe that's the the issue?

01-27-2011, 06:43 PM	#1
Rundown Scooby Newbie Member#: 271893 Join Date: Jan 2011	mystery plug wire mismatch My 2005 Impreza Outback Sport develoed a miss and the check engine light came on and the cruise light flashed. My mechanic says the OBD says #3 misfire. OK, it has 110,000 needs plugs and wires. However, he calls and says it is a Calf model and the wires he ordered won't fit as they are mismatched to the distributor (I know it isn't a distributor, but can't remember what they are now called). Is he right that there are different wires for Calf emission engines and Pa. engines (this car was sold new in Pa and never out as far as I know)? I see nothing here on this and the parts vendors I have checked just list a single wire set for 2005 Outback Sports???? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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01-27-2011, 07:04 PM	#2
Back Road Runner Scooby Guru Member#: 60082 Join Date: Apr 2004 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Minnesota Vehicle: 2004 Forester STI Silver	It sounds like BS. Plug wires are pretty basic things and they don't do anything special in relation to emissions at all. The tech might have ordered the wrong year or something as the ignition system has changed over the years.

01-27-2011, 07:52 PM	#3
Rundown Scooby Newbie Member#: 271893 Join Date: Jan 2011	I forgot to mention that he said it was a male female plug issue, ie he got wire that were male where they plug into the distributor instead of female ( I may have that backwards). Do all Subaru have female -female ended plug wires?

01-27-2011, 09:05 PM	#4
renyo Scooby Newbie Member#: 93577 Join Date: Aug 2005 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Orlando, unfortunately Vehicle: 98 Impreza	Yes... well the EJ series do at least.

01-27-2011, 11:19 PM	#5
Rundown Scooby Newbie Member#: 271893 Join Date: Jan 2011	Thank you for your prompt reply, I will be curious to see these mystery wires.

01-28-2011, 08:56 AM	#6
renyo Scooby Newbie Member#: 93577 Join Date: Aug 2005 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Orlando, unfortunately Vehicle: 98 Impreza	I've seen some wires that looked different because the coil pack was slightly off to the side (one side was shorter maybe?). Instead of coming straight out the boot part was bent at 90 degrees on the coil pack side. They should still be female on the coil pack side though. Edit: Apparently someone already posted this in the other plug wires thread...

01-28-2011, 10:27 AM	#7
Boxer4Dad Scooby Newbie Member#: 137226 Join Date: Jan 2007 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: SE Michigan Vehicle: 2005 Saabaru 2.5i OBP, or Black	I thought 2005 was the first year for right angle plugs at the coil pack, because it got moved for better corrosion resistance. The older ones are straight-on, are they not? Maybe that's the the issue?