Comments on: Your Subaru Check Engine Light Explained http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/ Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:17:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-99805 Justin Stobb Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:08:19 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-99805 There is no simple answer to that, a sticking valve will cause a misfire, and over time misfires can cause engine damage. Best way in the car to alleviate sticky valves is with a fuel induction cleaning to try and remove some of the carbon from the back sides of the valves and the stems. Hope that helps Justin There is no simple answer to that, a sticking valve will cause a misfire, and over time misfires can cause engine damage.

Best way in the car to alleviate sticky valves is with a fuel induction cleaning to try and remove some of the carbon from the back sides of the valves and the stems.

Hope that helps

Justin

]]> By: Terry http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-99793 Terry Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:38:41 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-99793 Thanks for reply Justin - Let's assume for the moment that sticking valve(s) are a problem with this engine. Could sticking valves destroy the engine? Is there something that can be done to keep the problem from getting worse? For example, is there any kind of additive (to oil or fuel) that would help mitigate the sticking valves, or would I do more harm than good by fooling around with additives? Thanks for any further advice. Thanks for reply Justin – Let’s assume for the moment that sticking valve(s) are a problem with this engine. Could sticking valves destroy the engine? Is there something that can be done to keep the problem from getting worse? For example, is there any kind of additive (to oil or fuel) that would help mitigate the sticking valves, or would I do more harm than good by fooling around with additives? Thanks for any further advice.

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-99667 Justin Stobb Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:04:09 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-99667 The bank 1 and 2 lean codes could indicate a front 02 sensor other wise called a front air fuel sensor. This should be evaluated first. I would also put back in NGK platinum spark plugs you cant see the ignition pattern noise aftermarket plugs cause with your eye. I am not saying replace the front air fuel sensor, I am saying the data needs to be evaluated. Justin The bank 1 and 2 lean codes could indicate a front 02 sensor other wise called a front air fuel sensor. This should be evaluated first. I would also put back in NGK platinum spark plugs you cant see the ignition pattern noise aftermarket plugs cause with your eye.

I am not saying replace the front air fuel sensor, I am saying the data needs to be evaluated.

Justin

]]> By: Samantha http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-99618 Samantha Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:48:41 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-99618 Hello Justin, I do have a question, and the shops can not tell me what exactly is going wrong with my car. I have a 2002 impreza wrx 2.0L Turbo. i had the CEL for p0171 bank 2 system lean. It was a faulty MAF, then as soon as i replaced that it was fine for 3 days, then the CEL came back on but for misfire codes for all four cylinders, p0301, 302,303, and p0304. The spark plugs were replaced last April with stock ngk platinum, but I checked them again just in case the tips were burnt, no issues so I cleared the codes and my car ran fine, plugged in the OBDII and it was throwing a p0420 without the CEL actually coming on. So I left it alone, then the dang CEL came on when the gas tank was at half a tank and stayed on until I filled up again throwing p0171 bank 1 system lean and the gas cap has been replaced in November 2011 when I did my oil change. I Put in premium gas because of the turbo and the oil is full synthetic so I take care of it very well. but I can not find a vacuum leak or bad o2, and its not throwing a fault for the same codes consistently. can you throw some ideas out to me. I have replaced the rear o2 sensor, turbo boot, purge valve, timing belt, spark plugs, maf, fuel filter, and all this has been done within the last year. Hello Justin,

I do have a question, and the shops can not tell me what exactly is going wrong with my car. I have a 2002 impreza wrx 2.0L Turbo. i had the CEL for p0171 bank 2 system lean. It was a faulty MAF, then as soon as i replaced that it was fine for 3 days, then the CEL came back on but for misfire codes for all four cylinders, p0301, 302,303, and p0304. The spark plugs were replaced last April with stock ngk platinum, but I checked them again just in case the tips were burnt, no issues so I cleared the codes and my car ran fine, plugged in the OBDII and it was throwing a p0420 without the CEL actually coming on. So I left it alone, then the dang CEL came on when the gas tank was at half a tank and stayed on until I filled up again throwing p0171 bank 1 system lean and the gas cap has been replaced in November 2011 when I did my oil change. I Put in premium gas because of the turbo and the oil is full synthetic so I take care of it very well. but I can not find a vacuum leak or bad o2, and its not throwing a fault for the same codes consistently. can you throw some ideas out to me. I have replaced the rear o2 sensor, turbo boot, purge valve, timing belt, spark plugs, maf, fuel filter, and all this has been done within the last year.

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-99068 Justin Stobb Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:07:51 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-99068 Lance, I already told you to try a different scanner, you can also contact the manufacturer for help. I dont support their product and have no idea why you are unable to make it work. Justin Lance,

I already told you to try a different scanner, you can also contact the manufacturer for help. I dont support their product and have no idea why you are unable to make it work.

Justin

]]> By: lance http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-98798 lance Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:31:30 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-98798 Hello again. I have more news. My son tried the scanner tonight on a Buick Century 2003 and it worked. This is really strange. My Subaru 1998 and the Toyota 2007 are OBD11 compliant. They should be able to use this scan tool. There has to be a problem somewhere. The Actron website and other websites say that the cp9580 scan tool works with my 1998 Subaru. The scan tool shows on its screen the menu for domestic, European and Asian cars. It does not make sense. I hope Canada is not the problem. I'm assuming that my Subaru which was built in Indiana and bought in Montreal came to the Canadian dealer as built by US specifications. Gee, I hope that's not the problem. Lance Hello again.

I have more news. My son tried the scanner tonight on a Buick Century 2003 and it worked. This is really strange. My Subaru 1998 and the Toyota 2007 are OBD11 compliant. They should be able to use this scan tool. There has to be a problem somewhere.

The Actron website and other websites say that the cp9580 scan tool works with my 1998 Subaru. The scan tool shows on its screen the menu for domestic, European and Asian cars. It does not make sense.

I hope Canada is not the problem. I’m assuming that my Subaru which was built in Indiana and bought in Montreal came to the Canadian dealer as built by US specifications. Gee, I hope that’s not the problem.

Lance

]]> By: lance http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-98783 lance Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:55:52 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-98783 Hi, Justin. Thank you for the quick reply, much appreciated. My son just tried the scanner on a 2002 Lincoln LS and it worked. Then he tried it on the Toyota and got the same Error Link. What could it possibly be?? BTW, we're in Montreal, Canada. Thanks!! Lance Hi, Justin.

Thank you for the quick reply, much appreciated. My son just tried the scanner on a 2002 Lincoln LS and it worked. Then he tried it on the Toyota and got the same Error Link. What could it possibly be?? BTW, we’re in Montreal, Canada.

Thanks!!

Lance

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-98773 Justin Stobb Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:15:15 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-98773 Hello Lance, Time for a different scanner. We have suggested this one for a few people with decent results. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003IOITIK/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=alwhdrau-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B003IOITIK&adid=0P4JKAEP7SSVPKE2JFNH&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fallwheeldriveauto.com%2Fsubaru-check-engine-light-code-reader-suggestion%2F" rel="nofollow"> Hope that helps Justin Hello Lance,

Time for a different scanner. We have suggested this one for a few people with decent results.

Hope that helps

Justin

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-98771 Justin Stobb Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:11:07 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-98771 If you read the article carefully you will see that in some cases if the light is on and a fault code set, the monitoring system for other systems are no longer monitoring those systems thus any pending issues are unknown by you or the shop. Both P0420 and P0325 are very common codes for the Subaru, I suspect no foul play or incompetence only a 11 year old car. The catalyst was expensive the knock sensor not nearly so. I hope that helps Justin If you read the article carefully you will see that in some cases if the light is on and a fault code set, the monitoring system for other systems are no longer monitoring those systems thus any pending issues are unknown by you or the shop. Both P0420 and P0325 are very common codes for the Subaru, I suspect no foul play or incompetence only a 11 year old car.

The catalyst was expensive the knock sensor not nearly so.

I hope that helps

Justin

]]> By: Justin Stobb http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-98759 Justin Stobb Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:15:48 +0000 http://allwheeldriveauto.com/your-subaru-check-engine-light-explained/#comment-98759 Hi Andrew, Thats one I really would have to see to know whats going on with it for sure. Anytime you have a VSS issue the car will act up, but it could be the sensor, the gear or the wiring. There is no way to know with out evaluation of the vehicle. Sorry I cant offer more. Justin Hi Andrew,

Thats one I really would have to see to know whats going on with it for sure.

Anytime you have a VSS issue the car will act up, but it could be the sensor, the gear or the wiring. There is no way to know with out evaluation of the vehicle.

Sorry I cant offer more.

Justin

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