Forester CEL - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

M3n2c3 · 2007-05-10, 05:56 PM

I've had the Forester for about 2 weeks now. It's a 2000 with about 105,000mi. Purchased from Michael Hohl, which means it was "inspected and serviced."

It just started giving a CEL this afternoon. I don't have any way of pulling the code, so I'm not sure what's going on.

I did check all the fluids; everything seems ok save for the 4EAT fluid - it keeps coming up over-full, but I may just need to let it cool down a bit more. I also checked and re-tightened the gas tank cap.

Any ideas for other items I can check out before dragging it through Moundhouse to get looked at? Perhaps stock cat or MAF needing replacement?

JC · 2007-05-10, 08:43 PM

Just pull the code you baby. Buy a scanner from Walmart for $30 or take it to autozone.

M3n2c3 · 2007-05-10, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

Just pull the code you baby. Buy a scanner from Walmart for $30 or take it to autozone.

Oh, I didn't know you could get them that cheap.

Kevin M · 2007-05-10, 08:53 PM

The Forester has an RS motor, so I'll go out on a limb and guess that it's P0420 Cat Inefficiency.

The other likely possibility on a non-modded EJ25 is that your plugs and/or wires are aging or incorrectly gapped/installed and you're getting minor misfiring.

M3n2c3 · 2007-05-10, 09:02 PM

I'd be ok with having to replace the cat. . . I could swap my RS cat over and have a reason to slap a high-flow on the RS very, very soon.

MPREZIV · 2007-05-11, 06:34 AM

Dude, there's no way to *guess* what a CEL code is... it'll have to be pulled. There's WAY too many possibilities.

M3n2c3 · 2007-05-11, 08:18 AM

I know, I just want to make sure that I'm not missing some other obvious item that I can check myself (obvious like the gas cap).

M3n2c3 · 2007-05-24, 05:39 PM

I haven't had time yet to pull the code, but I just tried resetting the ECU to see what happens.

CEL is still there. I did some more poking around, and found this. Can torn inner CV boots cause a CEL?

Guess I'm off to MH next week.

Jesubi11 · 2007-05-24, 05:47 PM

No a blown cv/boot will not cause a cell.

M3n2c3 · 2007-05-24, 05:49 PM

Wow, seems like I really picked a winner.

Hopefully the cv and whatever is causing the cel are covered under warranty. It doesn't state cv specifically, but seems to cover drive axles in full, along with full powertrain (engine, tranny, etc.).

Jesubi11 · 2007-05-24, 05:55 PM

Ya that should be coverd under drive axels...

JC · 2007-05-30, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3n2c3

I haven't had time yet to pull the code, but I just tried resetting the ECU to see what happens.

Dude you are the biggest baby ever. You work across the street from walmart just go get a scanner. You can even buy it, pull the code, and return it if you don't want to pay for it.

M3n2c3 · 2007-05-30, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

Dude you are the biggest baby ever. You work across the street from walmart just go get a scanner. You can even buy it, pull the code, and return it if you don't want to pay for it.

I went to walmart two weeks ago and couldn't find one. Best I could find was for ~$80 online.

I'm taking it in on friday to get the cv dealt with - they can pull the code then.

JC · 2007-05-30, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3n2c3

Best I could find was for ~$80 online.

You didn't look very hard.

http://www.amazon.com/Check-Engine-S...550687&sr=8-10

M3n2c3 · 2007-05-30, 11:49 AM

Alas.

2007-05-10, 05:56 PM	#1
M3n2c3 EJ205 Real Name: Jeremiah Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dayton, NV Posts: 1,888 Car: 2005 Impreza 2.5RS, 2000 Forester L Class: RNP sometimes (see motto) "Kids are ruining autocross."	Forester CEL I've had the Forester for about 2 weeks now. It's a 2000 with about 105,000mi. Purchased from Michael Hohl, which means it was "inspected and serviced." It just started giving a CEL this afternoon. I don't have any way of pulling the code, so I'm not sure what's going on. I did check all the fluids; everything seems ok save for the 4EAT fluid - it keeps coming up over-full, but I may just need to let it cool down a bit more. I also checked and re-tightened the gas tank cap. Any ideas for other items I can check out before dragging it through Moundhouse to get looked at? Perhaps stock cat or MAF needing replacement? __________________ Small red text that looks curious at first glance but is ultimately inconsequential Last edited by M3n2c3; 2007-05-10 at 06:02 PM.

2007-05-10, 08:43 PM	#2
JC Ask me about dubs! Real Name: JC Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 2,895 Car: 2013 Triumph Speed Triple R	Just pull the code you baby. Buy a scanner from Walmart for $30 or take it to autozone. __________________ Actually, I am a rocket scientist.

2007-05-10, 08:53 PM	#4
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	The Forester has an RS motor, so I'll go out on a limb and guess that it's P0420 Cat Inefficiency. The other likely possibility on a non-modded EJ25 is that your plugs and/or wires are aging or incorrectly gapped/installed and you're getting minor misfiring. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2007-05-10, 09:02 PM	#5
M3n2c3 EJ205 Real Name: Jeremiah Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dayton, NV Posts: 1,888 Car: 2005 Impreza 2.5RS, 2000 Forester L Class: RNP sometimes (see motto) "Kids are ruining autocross."	I'd be ok with having to replace the cat. . . I could swap my RS cat over and have a reason to slap a high-flow on the RS very, very soon. __________________ Small red text that looks curious at first glance but is ultimately inconsequential

2007-05-11, 06:34 AM	#6
MPREZIV Token Real Name: Le Stig Afrique? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: sitting next to a big yellow box Posts: 3,589 Car: 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS Class: 05 TDSP No, I won't work on your car. F your car*	Dude, there's no way to guess what a CEL code is... it'll have to be pulled. There's WAY too many possibilities. __________________ "...these condoms have a topical anesthetic to reduce sensitivity, so you can last longer. What a paradox. You can't feel a thing, but you can f*ck for HOURS..."

2007-05-11, 08:18 AM	#7
M3n2c3 EJ205 Real Name: Jeremiah Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dayton, NV Posts: 1,888 Car: 2005 Impreza 2.5RS, 2000 Forester L Class: RNP sometimes (see motto) "Kids are ruining autocross."	I know, I just want to make sure that I'm not missing some other obvious item that I can check myself (obvious like the gas cap). __________________ Small red text that looks curious at first glance but is ultimately inconsequential

2007-05-24, 05:39 PM	#8
M3n2c3 EJ205 Real Name: Jeremiah Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dayton, NV Posts: 1,888 Car: 2005 Impreza 2.5RS, 2000 Forester L Class: RNP sometimes (see motto) "Kids are ruining autocross."	I haven't had time yet to pull the code, but I just tried resetting the ECU to see what happens. CEL is still there. I did some more poking around, and found this. Can torn inner CV boots cause a CEL? Guess I'm off to MH next week. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Small red text that looks curious at first glance but is ultimately inconsequential

2007-05-24, 05:47 PM	#9
Jesubi11 EJ22 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Springdale AR Posts: 137 Car: 04 wrx wagon Get busy livin' or get busy dyn'	No a blown cv/boot will not cause a cell. __________________ I love my car

2007-05-24, 05:49 PM	#10
M3n2c3 EJ205 Real Name: Jeremiah Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dayton, NV Posts: 1,888 Car: 2005 Impreza 2.5RS, 2000 Forester L Class: RNP sometimes (see motto) "Kids are ruining autocross."	Wow, seems like I really picked a winner. Hopefully the cv and whatever is causing the cel are covered under warranty. It doesn't state cv specifically, but seems to cover drive axles in full, along with full powertrain (engine, tranny, etc.). __________________ Small red text that looks curious at first glance but is ultimately inconsequential Last edited by M3n2c3; 2007-05-24 at 05:53 PM.

2007-05-24, 05:55 PM	#11
Jesubi11 EJ22 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Springdale AR Posts: 137 Car: 04 wrx wagon Get busy livin' or get busy dyn'	Ya that should be coverd under drive axels... __________________ I love my car

2007-05-30, 11:49 AM	#15
M3n2c3 EJ205 Real Name: Jeremiah Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dayton, NV Posts: 1,888 Car: 2005 Impreza 2.5RS, 2000 Forester L Class: RNP sometimes (see motto) "Kids are ruining autocross."	Alas. __________________ Small red text that looks curious at first glance but is ultimately inconsequential

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