Forester Check Engine Light on

"Tony Hwang" wrote in message

> coaster wrote:
>> 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?

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?
 >> Stay informed about: Forester Check Engine Light on 

"coaster" wrote in message

> 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.
 >> Stay informed about: Forester Check Engine Light on 

"coaster" wrote in message


> 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.
 >> Stay informed about: Forester Check Engine Light on 

"Noddy" wrote in message

>
> "coaster" wrote in message
>
>
>> 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.
>

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.
 >> Stay informed about: Forester Check Engine Light on 

coaster wrote:

> "Tony Hwang" wrote in message
>
>
>>coaster wrote:
>>
>>>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?
>
>
> 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?
>
>
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.
 >> Stay informed about: Forester Check Engine Light on 

"Noddy" wrote in message

>
> "coaster" wrote in message
>
>
>> 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.
>

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
 >> Stay informed about: Forester Check Engine Light on 

coaster wrote:
> "Noddy" wrote in message
>
>
>>"coaster" wrote in message
>>
>>
>>
>>>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.
>>
>
>
> 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


--
to reply, change ( .not) to ( .net)
 >> Stay informed about: Forester Check Engine Light on 

"coaster" wrote in message


> 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.
 >> Stay informed about: Forester Check Engine Light on 

"coaster" wrote in message

>
> "Tony Hwang" wrote in message
>
>> coaster wrote:
>>> 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?
>
> 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.
 >> Stay informed about: Forester Check Engine Light on 

"Tony Hwang" wrote in message

> coaster wrote:
>
>> "Tony Hwang" wrote in message
>>
>>
>>>coaster wrote:
>>>
>>>>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?
>>
>>
>> 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?
> 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.
 >> Stay informed about: Forester Check Engine Light on 

"Klompmeester" wrote in message

>
> "coaster" wrote in message
>
>>
>> "Tony Hwang" wrote in message
>>
>>> coaster wrote:
>>>> 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?
>>
>> 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.
>
>

i am not sure if she did, but the light came one a day and a halh later if
thats possible.
 >> Stay informed about: Forester Check Engine Light on 

"JD" wrote in message
>
> "coaster" wrote in message
>
>> 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.

cheers ... its most likely nothing, but i just wanna make sure and reset the
light, too
 >> Stay informed about: Forester Check Engine Light on 

"JD" wrote in message

> 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.
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