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Car Forum / Subaru Cars / January 2008Forester Check Engine Light on
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! > car: 2005 Forester X > location: Australia [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > 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. >> car: 2005 Forester X >> location: Australia [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > 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? > 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. -- Regards, Noddy. >> what kind of reader do you use and did the lappy software come with it? > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Regards, > 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 :) > 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. -- Regards, 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 :) [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Regards, > Noddy. well if the fault comes back i'll have to take it to the dealer >>>what kind of reader do you use and did the lappy software come with it? >> [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > 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  Signatureto reply, change ( .not) to ( .net) >>>>what kind of reader do you use and did the lappy software come with it? >>> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >>>Regards, >>>Noddy. i wish aussie mechanics were that generous :) >> 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 :) [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Carl >>>>>what kind of reader do you use and did the lappy software come with it? >>>> [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > i wish aussie mechanics were that generous :) If you're in Perth I can give you a number... >>>>>>what kind of reader do you use and did the lappy software come with >>>>>>it? [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > If you're in Perth I can give you a number... unfortunately no :( >> what kind of reader do you use and did the lappy software come with it? > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Regards, > 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. I also use a laptop diagnostic tool with my code reader. > 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. f.cked 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. -- Regards, 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 :) 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. >> I also use a laptop diagnostic tool with my code reader. > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Regards, > Noddy. 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. > 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 sh.t 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. -- Regards, 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. You are taking what I said out of context. If you aggregate codes, it leads to a diagnosis; no hand scanner will do that. >> 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? It will give you options. Most code aggregations lead to very few potential faults; the more codes, the fewer potential different problems. >> Because it also outputs out all the real-time parameters that a code >> reader can't. > > Nice. And you need that because? I need it to tune the car. >> 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 [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > You like to play around with sh.t 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 [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Regards, > Noddy. 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. > 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 :) -- Regards, Noddy. >> It will give you options. Most code aggregations lead to very few >> potential faults; the more codes, the fewer potential different problems. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > 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". You're just being argumentative now. His tool is following standard troubleshooting situations, probably making guesses based on some collected history of codes, plus some expert opinion...I assume. Sure it's subjective, but so are the diagnoses made in your head, right? -John O > You're just being argumentative now. Not really, but anyway.... > His tool is following standard troubleshooting situations, probably making > guesses based on some collected history of codes, plus some expert > opinion...I assume. Sure it's subjective, but so are the diagnoses made in > your head, right? Sure. As I said earlier, the thing sounds as if it'll try to guess what's wrong if you can't figure it out for yourself, but how it can predict what's likely to fail or be used to "tune" the engine in any way is beyond me. It just sounds like an elaborate method of doing what a hand scanner does in 10 seconds. But hey, some people like to be over technical don't they? -- Regards, Noddy. >> You're just being argumentative now. > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > Regards, > Noddy. I does it in the same amount of time. If how you 'tune' a car with OBDII is beyond you then, yes, the laptop tool is useless to you; stick to whatever tool is simple enough for you. The handscanners don't do what I need done. What I have costs no more and does what I need. > I does it in the same amount of time. If how you 'tune' a car with OBDII > is beyond you then, yes, the laptop tool is useless to you; stick to > whatever tool is simple enough for you. The handscanners don't do what I > need done. What I have costs no more and does what I need. Fine. How the f.ck you "tune your car" using OBDII output codes is beyond me though :) -- Regards, Noddy. >> I does it in the same amount of time. If how you 'tune' a car with OBDII >> is beyond you then, yes, the laptop tool is useless to you; stick to [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Regards, > Noddy. You don't use the output codes to tune the car. You use the port, and the real-time parameters tell you what you need to change and what effect any of your changes have had. However, the tool also reads and clears trouble codes, provides diagnostics, using the same interface and software; no additional cost and no need to look up the codes. > You don't use the output codes to tune the car. You use the port, and the > real-time parameters tell you what you need to change and what effect any > of your changes have had. I'm aware of that, but I', surprised the software allows you to make any changes at all. Most ECU's are not "adjustable". -- Regards, Noddy. >> You don't use the output codes to tune the car. You use the port, and >> the real-time parameters tell you what you need to change and what effect [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Regards, > Noddy. Not so. Most ECUs are reflashable. The dealers do it all the time to address TSBs. Depending on what you reflash it with, you can tune them virtually on the fly. > Not so. Most ECUs are reflashable. The dealers do it all the time to > address TSBs. Depending on what you reflash it with, you can tune them > virtually on the fly. Flashing an ECU isn't "tuning a car", and dealers do it to correct issues. Basically, what I'm saying is that you can't go in and change the timing map or up the fuel pressure to "tune" the engine. Like I said, if you get off on the bells & whistles then more power to you. My OBDII socket doesn't see any action unless the car has a problem. -- Regards, Noddy. >> Not so. Most ECUs are reflashable. The dealers do it all the time to >> address TSBs. Depending on what you reflash it with, you can tune them [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Regards, > Noddy. What I am saying is, yes you can. Tuning the car is about manipulating the timing maps, boost controllers, timing advance, commanded fuel ratio, open and closed-loop fuel system behaviour, etc. Depending on what you reflash your ECU with, the tools allow you to do just that. The only difference in what the dealer does is that they reflash an entire image coming from the manufacturer. There a lots of tools on the market that when you reflash the ECU with them, and you have the correct software and interface on your computer, you can manipulate virtually any performance parameter you like; as long as it is not the emission system. And if that is all you do is read codes when the light comes on, you probably can just get a buddy to scan it. If you want to do more than that, the software scanners are about the same price with a lot more capability. >>> It will give you options. Most code aggregations lead to very few >>> potential faults; the more codes, the fewer potential different [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > -John O Yup. Just saves me looking it all up. I already have the interface and the software is free. Why would I want anything else? >>> 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 [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > 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> SignatureDon`t be sexist...........Broads hate that. from the habits of their fathers, as hunting in animals. A different custom will cause different natural principles. This is seen in experience; and if there are some natural principles ineradicable by custom, there are also some customs opposed to nature, ineradicable by nature or by a second custom. This depends on disposition. 93. Parents fear lest the natural love of their children may fade away. What kind of nature is that which is subject to decay? Custom is a second nature which destroys the former. But what is nature? For is custom not natural? I am much afraid that nature is itself only a first custom, as custom is a second nature. 94. The nature of man is wholly natural, omne animal.[18] There is nothing he may not make natural; there is nothing natural he may not lose. 95. Memory, joy, are intuitions; and even mathematical propositions become intuitions, for education produces natural intuitions, and natural intuitions are erased by education. 96. When we are accustomed to use bad reasons for pro >>>car: 2005 Forester X >>>location: Australia [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > 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. >>>>car: 2005 Forester X >>>>location: Australia [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > 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. degree of wisdom are equally foolish and vicious, as those who are two inches under water. 361. The sovereign good. Dispute about the sovereign good.--Ut sis contentus temetipso et ex te nascentibus bonis.48 There is a contradiction, for in the end they advise suicide. Oh! What a happy life, from which we are to free ourselves as from the plague! 362. Ex senatus-consultis et plebiscitis... To ask like passages. 363. Ex senatus-consultis et plebiscitis scelera exercentur. Seneca. 588.[49] Nihil tam absurde dici potest quod non dicatur ab aliquo philosophorum.50 Quibusdam destinatis sententiis consecrati quae non probant coguntur defendere.51 Ut omnium rerum sic litterarum quoque intemperantia laboramus.52 Id maxime quemque decet, quod est cujusque suum maxime.53 Hos natura modos primum dedit.54 Paucis opus est litteris ad bonam mentem.55 Si quando turpe non sit, tamen non est non turpe quum id a multitudine laudetur.56 Mihi sic usus est, tibi ut opus est facto, fac.57 364. Rarum est enim ut satis se quisque vereatur.58 Tot circa unum caput tumultuantes deos.59 Nihil turpius quam cognitioni assertionem praecurrere.60 Nec me pudet, ut istos, fateri nescire quid nesciam.61 Melius non incipient.62 365. Thought.--All the dignity of man consists in thought. Thought is, therefo >>> car: 2005 Forester X >>> location: Australia [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > 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. >>>> car: 2005 Forester X >>>> location: Australia [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > 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. > car: 2005 Forester X > location: Australia [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > 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. >> car: 2005 Forester X >> location: Australia [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > 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 |
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