How to pull CEL code on '90 Legacy L??? - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

Dean · 2009-06-30, 10:43 AM

OK, I know there are a bunch of older cars out there. How can you pull the CEL code on a '90 Legacy L?

DK's old red car threw a code when I started it this morning. Probably a misfire because it was running rough.

I can probably clear it with the old pull the battery and step on the brake trick, but would like to know what's up.

sperry · 2009-06-30, 10:58 AM

Is it OBD-I? It's probably similar to the SVX where there's a jumper block under the dash that you have to stick some grounding pins into and count CEL flashes.

You probably need a Factory Service Manual, or maybe one of the cheap-o Chilton's books to sort out the specifics.

Dean · 2009-06-30, 11:04 AM

Yeah, I think so. I was hoping somebody with an older L would have a manual.

Dean · 2009-06-30, 11:12 AM

I think I found the answer on LegacyCentral...

http://legacycentral.org/library/literature/codes.htm

MPREZIV · 2009-06-30, 11:23 AM

That link you posted is correct, if you didn't get my PM yet. And also for future reference if anybody else should need this info.

Dean · 2009-06-30, 12:42 PM

OK, now I read it, decoded it, but can't clear it.

Tried plugging in both test connectors and powering up. Tried the unplug the battery and press the brake pedal and/or wait a 1/2 an hour...

cody · 2009-06-30, 12:49 PM

Do you have to fix the issue before you can clear it?

Dean · 2009-06-30, 01:03 PM

I think it is fixed, and it should clear so the CEL turns off when you turn on the ignition before starting or shortly there after.

It was a knock sensor code which makes complete sense the way it was running. Running fine now, but need to get it out of "limp home" mode.

It looks like I may have to do the whole warm up, shut down, connect connectors, drive around bit which I don't really want to do and will even be more pissed if it doesn't clear it.

MPREZIV · 2009-07-01, 06:35 AM

Read memory connector is the black one, and the test mode connector is the green one, by the steering column... have fun!

Dean · 2009-07-01, 07:05 AM

Thanks. I was afraid of that from the other link.

You don't happen to have a spec for the spark plug gap? Since they are easy to get to, thought I would pull/inspect/clean and regap them.

Anybody have a PDF or similar shop manual for older Ls?

Dean · 2009-07-02, 10:20 AM

Well, that procedure works, but only after you fix the cut wire going to the knock sensor...

Now how that wire got a nice clean cut in it when it is buried at the back of the engine kind of sort of under a cover right next to a bunch of other untouched wires is a mystery...

I also now have Legacy manuals for 92,95,96,97,98,99,00 and the 2003 Liberty if anybody needs them.

sperry · 2009-07-02, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean

Well, that procedure works, but only after you fix the cut wire going to the knock sensor...

Now how that wire got a nice clean cut in it when it is buried at the back of the engine kind of sort of under a cover right next to a bunch of other untouched wires is a mystery...

I also now have Legacy manuals for 92,95,96,97,98,99,00 and the 2003 Liberty if anybody needs them.

Do you have them in electronic form? I can post them on the tech page.

2009-06-30, 10:43 AM	#1
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	How to pull CEL code on '90 Legacy L??? OK, I know there are a bunch of older cars out there. How can you pull the CEL code on a '90 Legacy L? DK's old red car threw a code when I started it this morning. Probably a misfire because it was running rough. I can probably clear it with the old pull the battery and step on the brake trick, but would like to know what's up. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2009-06-30, 10:58 AM	#2
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	Is it OBD-I? It's probably similar to the SVX where there's a jumper block under the dash that you have to stick some grounding pins into and count CEL flashes. You probably need a Factory Service Manual, or maybe one of the cheap-o Chilton's books to sort out the specifics. __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2009-06-30, 11:04 AM	#3
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	Yeah, I think so. I was hoping somebody with an older L would have a manual. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2009-06-30, 11:12 AM	#4
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	I think I found the answer on LegacyCentral... http://legacycentral.org/library/literature/codes.htm __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2009-06-30, 11:23 AM	#5
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*	That link you posted is correct, if you didn't get my PM yet. And also for future reference if anybody else should need this info. __________________ "...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..."

2009-06-30, 12:42 PM	#6
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	OK, now I read it, decoded it, but can't clear it. Tried plugging in both test connectors and powering up. Tried the unplug the battery and press the brake pedal and/or wait a 1/2 an hour... __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2009-06-30, 12:49 PM	#7
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	Do you have to fix the issue before you can clear it? __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2009-06-30, 01:03 PM	#8
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	I think it is fixed, and it should clear so the CEL turns off when you turn on the ignition before starting or shortly there after. It was a knock sensor code which makes complete sense the way it was running. Running fine now, but need to get it out of "limp home" mode. It looks like I may have to do the whole warm up, shut down, connect connectors, drive around bit which I don't really want to do and will even be more pissed if it doesn't clear it. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids... Last edited by Dean; 2009-06-30 at 01:06 PM.

2009-07-01, 06:35 AM	#9
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*	Read memory connector is the black one, and the test mode connector is the green one, by the steering column... have fun! Attached Thumbnails __________________ "...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..."

2009-07-01, 07:05 AM	#10
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	Thanks. I was afraid of that from the other link. You don't happen to have a spec for the spark plug gap? Since they are easy to get to, thought I would pull/inspect/clean and regap them. Anybody have a PDF or similar shop manual for older Ls? __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids... Last edited by Dean; 2009-07-01 at 07:15 AM.

2009-07-02, 10:20 AM	#11
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	Well, that procedure works, but only after you fix the cut wire going to the knock sensor... Now how that wire got a nice clean cut in it when it is buried at the back of the engine kind of sort of under a cover right next to a bunch of other untouched wires is a mystery... I also now have Legacy manuals for 92,95,96,97,98,99,00 and the 2003 Liberty if anybody needs them. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

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