Check engine code 12? Did search...

[Tiamat-red]

Hi, I've been getting a check engine light on and off for several weeks now. Very intermittent. Every other day or so. Usually after starting it "warm". IE after filling it up with gas, or stopping for a minute or two.
It registers as Code 12, starter switch/ignition circuit.
My cheapo/chilton manual says nothing on the topic.
I did a search but came up with no answers. Other than "check your manual..."
Any ideas, suggestions?

CHECKING ECU CODES:

1) Remove the kick panel just beside the left foot rest on the driver's side.
2) Locate blue wires.
3) Locate black connector. Hold it notch up.
4) With ignition off, insert one of the wires into top row, 2nd pin from left.
5) Turn key to on position, but do not start the car.
6) Watch blinky check engine light on dashboard. Count blinks. Long blinks = 10, Short blinks = 1.
7) Keep watching blinky light until you get mesmorized.

CLEARING CODES (AFTER DIAGNOSIS HAS BEEN MADE):

1) With engine off, stick the blue wires to 1st and 2nd pin in the top row counting from left on the black connector, with notch facing up.
2) Start car. Shut off car. Remove pins.
3) Read codes to make sure they are clear. No codes = steady blinks at 1/4 second intervals.

EDU CODE PROBABLE CAUSE:
11 Crank Angle Sensor or Circuit
12 Starter Switch or Circuit
13 Cam Position Sensor or Circuit (TDC Sensor on Justy)
14 Fuel Injector No. 1 (Legacy, Impreza, Justy, SVX)
14 Fuel Injector No. 1 and 2 (XT, Loyale, GL, DL)
15 Fuel Injector No. 2 (Legacy, Impreza, Justy, SVX)
15 Fuel Injector No. 3 and 4 (Loyale, GL, DL)
15 Fuel Injector No. 5 and 6 (XT-6)
16 Fuel Injector No. 3 (Legacy, Impreza, Justy, SVX)
16 Fuel Injector No. 3 and 4 (XT)
17 Fuel Injector No. 4 (Legacy, Impreza, SVX)
17 Fuel injector No. 1 and 2 (XT-6)
18 Fuel Injector No. 5 (SVX)
19 Fuel Injector No. 6 (SVX)
21 Coolant Temperature Sensor or Circuit
22 Knock Sensor or Circuit (Right Side on SVX)
23 Air Flow Meter or Circuit (Exc. Justy)
23 Pressure Sensor (Justy)
24 Air Control Valve or Circuit (Exc. Justy)
24 Idle Speed Control Solenoid Valve (Justy)
25 Fuel injector No. 3 and 4 (XT-6)
26 Air Temperature Sensor (Justy)
28 Knock Sensor No. 2 (SVX, Left Side)
29 Crank Angle Sensor (SVX, No. 2)
31 Throttle Position Sensor or Circuit
32 Oxygen Sensor or Circuit (No. 1, Right Side, On SVX)
33 Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) or Circuit
34 EGR Solenoid or Circuit
35 Purge Control Solenoid or Circuit
36 Air Suction Solenoid Valve (Impreza)
36 Ignitor Circuit (Justy)
37 Oxygen Sensor (No. 2, Left Side, On SVX)
38 Engine Torque Control (SVX)
41 Air/Fuel Adaptive Control
42 Idle Switch or Circuit
43 Throttle Switch (Justy)
44 Wastegate Duty Solenoid (Turbo Models)
45 Pressure Sensor Duty Solenoid (Turbo Models)
45 Atmospheric Pressure Sensor or Circuit (Non- Turbo Models) 49 Airflow Sensor
51 Neutral Switch (Manual Transmission Models)
51 Inhibitor Switch (Automatic Transmission Models)
52 Parking Brake Switch (Exc. Justy)
52 Clutch Switch (Justy)
55 EGR Temperature Sensor or Circuit
56 EGR System
61 Parking Brake Switch (Loyale)
61 Fuel Tank Pressure Control Solenoid (Impreza)
62 Fuel Temperature Sensor (Impreza)
62 Electric Load Signal (Justy)
63 Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor (Impreza)
63 Blower Fan Switch (Justy)
65 Vacuum Pressure Sensor

[Earthworm]

I assume the car still starts and continues to run?

[michael]

tiamat, is you avatar from dragons lair?

[Tiamat-red]

1. Thanks Deruvian, but I already knew THAT. I need to know what it MEANS...
2. Yes the car starts and runs fine, and the light goes off after 10 seconds or so. It happens mostly when restarting after gas station fill ups.
3. I'm actually not positive where that particular icon is from, but I was thinking more along the lines of the old D&D cartoon.
4. I forgot to mention that it threw a code 18 once while idiling after a long trip. I'm not sure if they're related, but it hasn't given me that code since...
5. I also forgot to mention that it's a 92 LS-L, the only modifications being air box resonator removal, K&N filter, and Permacool tranny filter.

Thanks!

[Tiamat-red]

Any ideas?

[Beav]

You need to find the schematic for the starter circuit. My WAG would start with suspecting the Neutral start switch (known in most Japanese circles as the 'inhibitor switch'.) There seems to be a number of folks that have had to replace theirs and is suspect for those of us that experience a voltage drop that causes intermittent no-crank issues. I'd post a schematic in my locker for you but it seems my access point has dried up...