The Subaru CEL thread

[DJ 9iron]

Originally posted by Dr. J
my car has a p0463 and a p0106
P0106 Pressure sensor circuit range/performance problem (low input)
P0463 Fuel level sensor circuit high input

my fuel gauge does not work. what do i need to do to fix this

Replace the high input sensor.

I had to do the same thing.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

[Bumsarama]

P0386 - I have a bad knock sensor. Since I am past my basic warranty, Subaru wont cover it. The dealer wanted $50 just to pull the code. God bless Autozone for doing it for free. Additionally when I called the dealer back he said that he would have the knock sensor installed for $275. I am planning on buying the knock sensor from Autozone for $69 and installing it myself. On my '01 RS (GC8, in case your a noob) the knock sensor is pretty easy to get to. It sits right on top of the engine block under by the throttle body. Its just a single bolt you have to open and unclip the wire. Put the new sensor in and clip the wire in. I hope it will take care of it.

[rubberman]

Code: 0420 "Catalytic converter efficiency below threshhold"
Year/Make/Model: 2000 Legacy Outback - Manual Trans
Mileage: 92,500 miles

Fix for problem: No fix yet...

History:
Borla Headers added 6 months ago when stock headers developed a crack/leak. No CEL codes whatsoever from that swap.

Highway gas mileage had dropped from 30-32 mpg with kayaks on roof to ~ 23mpg with nothing on roof.
Swapped both oxygen sensors about 1500 miles ago, no immediate issues. Gas mileage did not increase with this swap as hoped - made me suspect cat may be an issue.

CEL came on last night, had it pulled at AutoZone.
I read through this thread, currently have Bosch platinum plugs (18k miles on them) in the car - now have NGK plugs on order, will replace asap just by chance this solves my issue as it did for someone else (not betting on this though).

Next option in my mind, troubleshoot oxygen sensors to make sure I don't have a bad one, but the fact that the ECU didn't throw individual fault codes for either sensor lead me to believe this is solely a catalytic converter problem. Potential solution - Stromung high flow cat center exhaust section if nothing else works out.

Will post any updates.
Any suggestions/advice ??


Update - 10/3
Took car to dealer, pulled code P0420
Tech states "P0420 Catalyst Below Efficiency. It is no doubt the front A/F sensor being out of range."

Wouldn't there be an individual sensor code if it was bad ?

[stikboy]

gwyow,

go to your subie dealer. they should have a way to reprogram your ecu to fix this. it work for me. hopefully it will do the same for you.

good luck,

stikboy

[svxr8dr]

Date : 07/10/03 to 07/11/03
Code : P0136
Car : MY01 2.5RS
Mileage : 31000
Mods : Cobb intake, cat back exhaust, cams, GenIV Borla Header wrapped and siliconed sprayed with ponyexpress MIL elimator, Random Tech High flow cat.

As soon as I pulled into the shop to get the PO136 code pulled the light went out, has not come back on yet. Don't beleive I have an exhaust leak, I wonder if the rear O2 sensor is dying

[Andrew Bacon]

Originally posted by Bumsarama
P0386 - I have a bad knock sensor. Since I am past my basic warranty, Subaru wont cover it. The dealer wanted $50 just to pull the code. God bless Autozone for doing it for free. Additionally when I called the dealer back he said that he would have the knock sensor installed for $275. I am planning on buying the knock sensor from Autozone for $69 and installing it myself. On my '01 RS (GC8, in case your a noob) the knock sensor is pretty easy to get to. It sits right on top of the engine block under by the throttle body. Its just a single bolt you have to open and unclip the wire. Put the new sensor in and clip the wire in. I hope it will take care of it.

I replaced the knock sensor on my '00 RS with a 500K Ohm resistor- no problems on 91 octane, knocks at low revs/heavy throttle on 87 octane.

[Imprezive2002]

how many o2 sensors are there on the 2002 RS exhaust system can anyone let me know thanks Nick

[Gambit]

I got this a while back. Tried most anything from the dealership. Even had the dealer replace the cat under warranty. Still it came back. Finally I diagnosed the problem. It turned out to be the grounding mod! I didn't do anything fancy. Followed the regular instructions found on this board. Took the grounding wires out and it's fine.
Now my next step is to put the grounding wire back and trace exactly which ground area that triggers the CEL.

[RSmatt]

P0328 Knock sensor 1 circuit high input
'01 RS - mods are borla header, 2.25 hi flo cat pipe, rallispec cat-back, 96 L intake pipe w/cone filter.
approx. 60k miles.
Fix- ??

I finally pulled the codes last night. I have had them on and off for quite a while. I had to clear over 30 of this code. Could it be a bad knock sensor, or is my car pinging? I haven't heard anything, but maybe it's just not audible. Maybe I should try higher octane? Any ideas?

Later,
Matt

[godzilag]

can someone pls tells me where is the plug to pull the code from.
I went to Auto Zone today and they couldn't find it.


Thanks

[Mulder]

Auto Zone is stupid
It is located under the driver side dash behind the steering column. More or less the same place where it is on most cars.

[svxr8dr]

Ok I got my third PO136 in 2 months, anyone think my rear 02 sensor is dying?

[godzilag]

thanks

[Mulder]

Originally posted by svxr8dr
Ok I got my third PO136 in 2 months, anyone think my rear 02 sensor is dying?

Do you have a CEL fix installed for a catless exhaust? If so that may be the cause of your 0136, some of the fixes are known to cause this code to set. Try removing the fix if you have one and see what happens.
If you're stock and don't have anything modded or connected to the rear sensor then yes it's possible the sensor itself is going bad.

[rjones1138]

Code: PC-301
2004 Impreza WRX Sedan
Mileage: 100
Fix for problem: Reinstalled #1 Coil Pack Connector

Picked up my WRX on Saturday with 1.5 miles on it. By Sunday afternoon, it was running rough, starting hard, vibrating, had no power and smelled like sulfur.

I thought I blew it up (even though I'm babying it for the first couple thousand miles, and is that ever hard with this car). I almost cried when I dropped it off at Kinley Subaru in Williamsport, PA.

Next day it's all better. Apparently a loose connection.

Does anyone know more details about what PC-301 and the Coil Pack Connector is?

Thanks

[Thead]

Finally threw a cel today...

After 2-3 weeks of having my new cobb cams, and modified (MAF) cobb intake, the light finally turned on today... assuming it's the intakes fault...


grrr..

[6Pack]

Codes : P0301, P0302, P0303 - Cyclinder misfires (1, 2, 3)
Car : MY02 WRX Sedan
Mileage : 30,000
Mods : 3/16" connector, intake silencier, EGT tapped at manifold (tap has been on the car for almost 25,000 miles now), and scoobysport catback

CEL comes on for a few days, goes away for a few days, and repeats. Just had my car 30k mile serviced at Subaru dealership they were supposed to replace sparkplugs, perhaps they didn't. I'll recheck all hoses and connections soon. I've also ordered the stock replacement for the 3/16" mod and going to put that back on when it arrives to see if that does anything.

[Craig W]

Codes : P0301, P0302, P0303 - Cyclinder misfires (1, 2, 3)
Car : MY02 WRX Sedan
Mileage : 20,000mi
Mods : lightened flywheel, K&N panel filter, gutted pre-turbo cat... Oh, and a '99 RS chassis and drivetrain.

Happens when car is almost warmed up, either waiting at a light or moving slowly as in a parking lot.

[richeich]

P0106 - Pressure Sensor Circuit Range/Performance Problem (Low Input)
98 Legacy 2.5GT
71,300 miles

Okay, threw a CEL a week or two ago. Just got it read today at Autozone. P0106. Checked this thread and saw some other references to it, but no answers to what it was. I talked to a tech friend of mine and got the skinny.

This is referenced off of my '98 Legacy, but I would imagine all the Subies should be the same.

On the passenger side strut tower, facing the front of the car, are two modules, with small vacuum lines connected between them and the motor. The code indicates a possible fault with these modules. One is a Pressure Sensor, the other is a Pressure Solenoid. In 90% of cases, though, the problem is with the vacuum lines. Either one has come loose, or is cracked, or the inline filter is plugged. The filter is that small, round, white thing with the sponge-like edges. The engine side of the hose connects to the passenger side of the intake runners, facing backwards. It goes to a T fitting, and is connected somewhere else as well. (I didn't pursue where that went because I spotted my problem right away.) So in a nutshell, check all the hoses associated with the modules.

If those appear to be okay, you can check the solenoid with test connectors under the dash, by the steering column. My friend couldn't remember the wire colors, but it's just a two-wire connector that is normally not connected to the other one, that will be in close proximity. If you connect these, it puts it into a test mode. You turn the ignition to 'on', and you should be able to hear the solenoid clicking.

I know that last section is vague, but I figured I'd include the info. Just in case someone got that far with it.

Rich

[evo2rex]

MY96 OBS ~136,000 miles at the time
i got a CEL a couple of months ago. the reason was that all of my cylinders weren't running.... dont know how or why, but it fixed itself after about half hours worth of WOT driving. it was very depressing when i was in first gear WOT going up my driveway and the RPMS dropping at about 10 mph. i never got it scanned cause the CEL went away the next day.

[godzilag]

P0461 Fuel level sensor circuit range/performance problem
2001 RS
41520 miles
Fix for problem: No fix yet...

need help to see if anybody has this code. the only mod I have is Pro ECM chip and k&N air filter.CEL comes on for a few days and goes away. it comes on and off it drives me crazy

anyhow, HELP PLS

[techworkseng]

P0441: EVAP System Incorrect Purge Flow
1997 OBS
90,000miles
Fix???

I've allready ensured that the gas cap is tight. I swapped the purge valve with another but no change. Fuel filter and visible fuel lines show no holes. I will begin trouble shooting the pump/lines/canister etc. this weekend.

I know something is wrong because I was getting fuel starvation symptoms (hesitating/surging) when applying very light throttle under low load.

Any brilliant ideas that will prevent me from getting covered in gas this weekend?!

Thanks.

Keith

[bertiescar]

My '96 Outback has had the CEL go off about 4 times in the past 8 months or so. The first time the dealer said nothing wrong and reset the computer. The second time, we decided it was due to have the plugs and wires changed. The third time he said nothing wrong, the fourth time he said nothing wrong.

I finally stopped going to the stealer who was charging me a $100 a visit for telling me there's nothing wrong.

This last time I went to a local mechanic who said, they ran it four different times and had no error codes.

Yet I know there's some problem lurking somewhere. It usually goes off after the car has been parked in the rain for a couple days. When it starts up, it hesitates a LOT, the CEL may come on, and then the car warms up and no more hesitation. The last time, I tried warming it up while parked, and huge clouds of exhaust came out, not entirely bluish though. And one time it did this I had a big backfire.

So, beats me what's going on, and it seems to befuddle all the mechanics.

PS - I've also tried adding drygas on every other fillup.

'96 Outback, 2.5 4
61,000 miles
No answers yet - Dealer unhelpful

[Mulder]

Bertie, sounds like serious mixture or ignition problems from all the smoke assuming it's not just steam from water vapor which can look pretty heavy.
Where in NY are you? I may not be too far from you if you want to meet up, and I can scan it for you to see what the code actually is. PM me and maybe we can work something out. If the CEL has come on recently it may still be in memory to be read even if it's gone out.

[sayonara]

Did grounding mods on an '04 WRX and got the P1086 CEL. According to this thread, P1086 is "Tumble generator valve #2 (LH) position sensor circuit low input". Anybody know what this means or what it is? I know I shouldn't get a CEL with grounding wires but the CEL came on right after I installed them so I know there related. Please help. Thanks