Check Engine light after clutch replacement

[Mike Deskevich]

I've got a question about a friends' subaru. It's a 1995 or 96 (he
doesn't know) Legacy wagon (2.2L). He just took the car in for a new
clutch and when he got it back the check engine light was on. He took
it back and the mechanic gave him the usual BS about the O2 sensor and
how it'll be $x00 to fix. I don't know how the O2 setup is in the
subaru (I have one, but I've never been under the car to see how it's
setup), but in my Toyota, I know the O2 sensor is screwed into the
exhaust pipe just before the cat right near to the transmission. So my
guess is that the mechanic either unplugged or damaged the O2 sensor
when he was removing the tranny to get to the clutch. Obviously it's
going to be next to impossible to get the mechanic to admit to his
mistake, so I think it'll be better to crawl under there and see what's
going on.

Before I have him bring his car to my house, I was wondering if some of
you guys could give me some common things to look for. I'm just not
familiar with the subaru setup, so I don't know where to start. Also,
does anyone know how to read the OBD codes so I can narrow down what's
wrong with the car.

Also, if anyone has another reason why the CEL would come on just after
someone replaced the clutch, I'd like to have as much info as I can to
see if we can fight the repair shop.

Thanks!
Mike
'99 Legacy GT

 

[mulder]

I've got a question about a friends' subaru. It's a 1995 or 96 (he
doesn't know) Legacy wagon (2.2L). He just took the car in for a new
clutch and when he got it back the check engine light was on. He took
it back and the mechanic gave him the usual BS about the O2 sensor and
how it'll be $x00 to fix. I don't know how the O2 setup is in the
subaru (I have one, but I've never been under the car to see how it's
setup), but in my Toyota, I know the O2 sensor is screwed into the
exhaust pipe just before the cat right near to the transmission. So my
guess is that the mechanic either unplugged or damaged the O2 sensor
when he was removing the tranny to get to the clutch. Obviously it's
going to be next to impossible to get the mechanic to admit to his
mistake, so I think it'll be better to crawl under there and see what's
going on.

Before I have him bring his car to my house, I was wondering if some of
you guys could give me some common things to look for. I'm just not
familiar with the subaru setup, so I don't know where to start. Also,
does anyone know how to read the OBD codes so I can narrow down what's
wrong with the car.

Also, if anyone has another reason why the CEL would come on just after
someone replaced the clutch, I'd like to have as much info as I can to
see if we can fight the repair shop.

Thanks!
Mike
'99 Legacy GT

It's very important whether the car is a 95 or 96. If it's 96 it would
definitely be OBDII, 95 could be either OBDI or OBDII. If it's OBDII,
the only way to read codes is with a scanner. Autozone does this for
free if you are in the US in states other than CA. In CA they won't do
it for you but may loan you the scanner for a deposit.
If it is OBDI you can follow the information here to retrieve the
codes-
http://www.troublecodes.net/Subaru/
You should have the exact numerical code(s) before proceeding with any
troubleshooting or parts replacement, otherwise you are shooting in
the dark. Get the code(s), if OBDII they will be in Pxxxx format, then
search online for information and troubleshooting procedures for those
particular codes.
www.nasioc.com is a good source of this type of info.

 

[KLS]

I've got a question about a friends' subaru. It's a 1995 or 96 (he
doesn't know) Legacy wagon (2.2L).

This friend doesn't know what year his car is? Then let him go to the
dealer and get raped. What happened to reading the manual or checking
his registration or inputting his VIN into the system? What an effing
moron; why are you helping such an idiot?

 

[Mike Deskevich]

well not everyone is into cars, and i can understand that some people
just use their car to get from a to b. just because someone isn't
knowledgable about cars doesn't mean that they should get taken
advantage of at the dealer either (that's why dealers take advantage of
people). i didn't think of looking at the VIN, but you're right the
model year is encoded in that.

 

[KLS]

well not everyone is into cars, and i can understand that some people
just use their car to get from a to b. just because someone isn't
knowledgable about cars doesn't mean that they should get taken
advantage of at the dealer either (that's why dealers take advantage of
people). i didn't think of looking at the VIN, but you're right the
model year is encoded in that.

Look, like you, I am a big believer in helping friends and associated
people in my life, but I also go by that adage "God helps those who
help themselves," so please show your friend this post about knowing
and remembering BASIC information relevant to aspects of his life. And
yes, I include model year of car in the same category as home address.
When I become aware or accept that people are WILLFULLY ignorant, I
back off and tell them they're on their own. I'm completely serious;
we don't need to encourage moronocity.

 

[DK]

Look, like you, I am a big believer in helping friends and associated
people in my life, but I also go by that adage "God helps those who
help themselves," so please show your friend this post about knowing
and remembering BASIC information relevant to aspects of his life. And
yes, I include model year of car in the same category as home address.
When I become aware or accept that people are WILLFULLY ignorant, I
back off and tell them they're on their own. I'm completely serious;
we don't need to encourage moronocity.

One of my friends, a guys who is *really* knowledgable about cars, repairs
and maintanence, recently had me to help cleaning 68 (yes, sixty eight!)
viruses and trojans from his computer. He started to suspect something
was not right when their online banking (sic!) started to get *really* slow!

The morale: to each their own. Even GW Bush might excel at
something (although I have hard time thinking what this might be).

DK

 

[dbaldwin13]

Hopefully you've gotten your problem fixed by now, but thought I'd
throw in my experience anyway. Pretty much the only thing I've had
done professionally on my 97 2.2 Impreza was the clutch.
The "professional" mechanic neglected to tighten the bolt holding the
ground cable to the engine. Tightening that bolt solved intermittant
cel and starting problems that didn't develope until a couple of weeks
after the clutch job!