Forester Check Engine Light on

[coaster]

car: 2005 Forester X
location: Australia
milage: 50,000 kms on the clock


Today Check Engine Light came on. Manual says if OBD is installed, then its
most likely Emission Control related. If no OBD, then engine related.

A) How do i tell if i have OBD?
B) How can i read out the error code?
C) What else can I do before i let the dealer rip me off?

Thank you!

 

[Tony Hwang]

car: 2005 Forester X
location: Australia
milage: 50,000 kms on the clock


Today Check Engine Light came on. Manual says if OBD is installed, then its
most likely Emission Control related. If no OBD, then engine related.

A) How do i tell if i have OBD?
B) How can i read out the error code?
C) What else can I do before i let the dealer rip me off?

Thank you!

Hi,
Is your gas tank cap closed tight?
You have to plug in OBD code reader. Do a google on this.
I use a code reader interfaced(USB port) to my laptop.
Accompanying software tells me what's wrong, allows me to reset the
code. I can also read stacked codes if there is more than one code
stored.

 

[coaster]

Hi,
Is your gas tank cap closed tight?

thats the first thing i checked ... seemed ok, but Mrs did get petrol about
a day before the light went on, fingers crossed its all it s

You have to plug in OBD code reader. Do a google on this.
I use a code reader interfaced(USB port) to my laptop.
Accompanying software tells me what's wrong, allows me to reset the code.
I can also read stacked codes if there is more than one code
stored.

what kind of reader do you use and did the lappy software come with it?

 

[Noddy]

what kind of reader do you use and did the lappy software come with it?

OBD code readers are simply a small hand held device the size of your
average calculator, and they plug in to the diagnostic port of your vehicle.
They're designed to do nothing other than retrieve the various codes, and
while I don't know of any that plug into a laptop (other than elaborate
tuning machines that have a code reader as part of their kit) I also don't
know what you'd hope to gain by plugging one into a laptop either.

They simply output the codes directly on their small screen, and that's all
they do.

 

[coaster]

OBD code readers are simply a small hand held device the size of your
average calculator, and they plug in to the diagnostic port of your
vehicle. They're designed to do nothing other than retrieve the various
codes, and while I don't know of any that plug into a laptop (other than
elaborate tuning machines that have a code reader as part of their kit) I
also don't know what you'd hope to gain by plugging one into a laptop
either.

They simply output the codes directly on their small screen, and that's
all they do.

well i am hoping that it is nothing and that i can just reset the code ... i
don't wanna go to a dealer if i can avoid it

 

[Noddy]

well i am hoping that it is nothing and that i can just reset the code ...
i don't wanna go to a dealer if i can avoid it

If it's a "one off" problem, the code reader will reset the codes, or have a
button to do a manual reset. However, if the problem keeps occurring the
fault light will keep coming on.

 

[JD]

car: 2005 Forester X
location: Australia
milage: 50,000 kms on the clock


Today Check Engine Light came on. Manual says if OBD is installed, then
its most likely Emission Control related. If no OBD, then engine related.

A) How do i tell if i have OBD?
B) How can i read out the error code?
C) What else can I do before i let the dealer rip me off?

Thank you!

If you have OBDII installed, if the light is steady, it is emission-related.
If it is flashing, it is engine-related. But if you have a code reader, you
can isolate exactly what is wrong.

The OBDII connector looks like a large DIN plug under the steering wheel.
Also the manual should tell you.

 

[JD]

OBD code readers are simply a small hand held device the size of your
average calculator, and they plug in to the diagnostic port of your
vehicle. They're designed to do nothing other than retrieve the various
codes, and while I don't know of any that plug into a laptop (other than
elaborate tuning machines that have a code reader as part of their kit) I
also don't know what you'd hope to gain by plugging one into a laptop
either.

They simply output the codes directly on their small screen, and that's
all they do.

There are lots that plug into a laptop and they can output the codes to a
laptop application that will look up the codes, tell you what they actually
mean, and output a series of potential problems depending on which series of
coulds were generated.

I also use a laptop diagnostic tool with my code reader.

 

[Tony Hwang]

thats the first thing i checked ... seemed ok, but Mrs did get petrol about
a day before the light went on, fingers crossed its all it s




what kind of reader do you use and did the lappy software come with it?

Hi,
Some software is shareware, some are commercial. I assembled a interface
kit and wse it with Proscan or Digimoto II. Or you can have simple
handheld code reader.

 

[Noddy]

There are lots that plug into a laptop and they can output the codes to a
laptop application that will look up the codes, tell you what they
actually mean, and output a series of potential problems depending on
which series of coulds were generated.

So do the handhelds that come with a manual

I also use a laptop diagnostic tool with my code reader.

Fucked if I know why you'd want to.

Every OBDII reader I've seen comes with a book to tell you what the codes
are, and displays the code sequence on it's readout with a memory function
so they can be recalled, and they're normally reset after they've been read.
Such a code reader can be had for under a hundred bucks.

 

[Klompmeester]

thats the first thing i checked ... seemed ok, but Mrs did get petrol
about a day before the light went on, fingers crossed its all it s

Did she overfill it right to the top?

That will put the light on as the carbon cannister is saturated.

 

[Klompmeester]

Hi,
Some software is shareware, some are commercial. I assembled a interface
kit and wse it with Proscan or Digimoto II. Or you can have simple
handheld code reader.

I built an interface for which hooks up to the serial port of my laptop (for
my VR) and it works with EFIlive which is free for the limited version.

Since I now have access to a Hanatech and Tech1/2 so I don't really need it
anymore but it's handy to have at home all the same.

 

[JD]

So do the handhelds that come with a manual

They don't. They will provide you with what the codes mean individually.
However, if there are a series of codes and pending codes, the software will
give you some indication of what is actually wrong; not merely what the
sensors are throwing.

Fucked if I know why you'd want to.

Every OBDII reader I've seen comes with a book to tell you what the codes
are, and displays the code sequence on it's readout with a memory function
so they can be recalled, and they're normally reset after they've been
read. Such a code reader can be had for under a hundred bucks.

Because it also outputs out all the real-time parameters that a code reader
can't. And the software is shareware plus the interface can also be had for
a hundred bucks or less; and provides much more flexibility. If you don't
want that, stick to your normal code reader. I prefer to do a little more
in the diagnostic levels; something code readers can't provide.

 

[Noddy]

They don't. They will provide you with what the codes mean individually.

So will the manual that comes with a hand scanner.

OBDII codes are a standard regardless of the make of vehicle.

However, if there are a series of codes and pending codes, the software
will give you some indication of what is actually wrong; not merely what
the sensors are throwing.

It'll take a "best guess" you mean?

Because it also outputs out all the real-time parameters that a code
reader can't.

Nice. And you need that because?

And the software is shareware plus the interface can also be had for a
hundred bucks or less; and provides much more flexibility. If you don't
want that, stick to your normal code reader. I prefer to do a little more
in the diagnostic levels; something code readers can't provide.

You like to play around with shit that won't do jack to solve your problem
you mean?

Fine with me. If looking at all the fancy blinking lights floats your boat
then more power to you, but knowing what the codes are that *aren't* a
problem is useless information for the most part.

 

[JD]

So will the manual that comes with a hand scanner.

OBDII codes are a standard regardless of the make of vehicle.

You are taking what I said out of context. If you aggregate codes, it leads
to a diagnosis; no hand scanner will do that.

It'll take a "best guess" you mean?

It will give you options. Most code aggregations lead to very few potential
faults; the more codes, the fewer potential different problems.

Nice. And you need that because?

I need it to tune the car.

You like to play around with shit that won't do jack to solve your problem
you mean?

It does lots to solve my problem, and I don't need the dealer to fix it for
me.

Fine with me. If looking at all the fancy blinking lights floats your boat
then more power to you, but knowing what the codes are that *aren't* a
problem is useless information for the most part.

To you, maybe. To some people, knowing their tire pressure is useless too;
unless the tire is flat. I don't happen to think so.

 

[coaster]

Did she overfill it right to the top?

That will put the light on as the carbon cannister is saturated.

i am not sure if she did, but the light came one a day and a halh later if
thats possible.

 

[coaster]

If you have OBDII installed, if the light is steady, it is
emission-related. If it is flashing, it is engine-related. But if you
have a code reader, you can isolate exactly what is wrong.

The OBDII connector looks like a large DIN plug under the steering wheel.
Also the manual should tell you.

cheers ... its most likely nothing, but i just wanna make sure and reset the
light, too

 

[Noddy]

You are taking what I said out of context.

Not really. The codes are fairly basic.

If you aggregate codes, it leads to a diagnosis; no hand scanner will do
that.

In other words, if you don't have a clue what you're doing, the software
will try to guess for you. Hey, I don't have a problem with that, but I find
it largely unneccessary.

It will give you options. Most code aggregations lead to very few
potential faults; the more codes, the fewer potential different problems.

How does reading the codes elimitate *potential* problems?

The very puropse of such codes are to tell you if something is working okay
or not, and if it's not the problem has already occured. I don't know of any
OBDII code that equals "Will most likely fail pretty soon".

I need it to tune the car.

And how do you do that?

Reading the codes allows you to check the status of certain components, not
adjust them.

It does lots to solve my problem, and I don't need the dealer to fix it
for me.

Hey, if it floats your boat....

To you, maybe. To some people, knowing their tire pressure is useless
too; unless the tire is flat. I don't happen to think so.

Like I said, if it works for you, fine. However, using a laptop is making
the whole affair *far* more advanced than it needs to be, and gives you a
lot of useless information that isn't necessary to fix an issue.

Hey, but at least it looks fancy

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

well i am hoping that it is nothing and that i can just reset the code ... i
don't wanna go to a dealer if i can avoid it

Here's a link to some trouble code info;
http://www.troublecodes.net/Subaru/

Around here, Autozone and maybe some other parts retailers will read the
codes at no charge - hoping to make a sale occasionally I guess. maybe
the same is true in your locale?

good luck

Carl

 

[jonz]

They don't. They will provide you with what the codes mean
individually. However, if there are a series of codes and pending codes,
the software will give you some indication of what is actually wrong;
not merely what the sensors are throwing.


Because it also outputs out all the real-time parameters that a code
reader can't. And the software is shareware plus the interface can also
be had for a hundred bucks or less; and provides much more flexibility.
If you don't want that, stick to your normal code reader. I prefer to
do a little more in the diagnostic levels; something code readers can't
provide.

careful... this is the omnipotent nonutz your telling something
to..<chuckle>