Check engine

[JeffN]

HAd a check engine light flash and then glow about 1 mile after starting cold tonight. It was missing on a cylinder at a light for about 15 seconhds then the light flashed. Think that's enough to pop a code? ur old 92 wobbled about evry 4th cold startup w/o ever having a light come on.

[svx_commuter]

Everytime the CEL comes on it stores a code. That has been my experience. If you haven't rear and errased in while you may have a few. I suggest you reset and see what comes back.

[JeffN]

Can I reset myself or have to use the Sube reader? My 97 has the connection where the coin tray is on older ones.

[Earthworm]

Not sure if that can be done yourself on a 97. There may be a DIY device you can plug into the connector that will let you do that.

[JohnU]

You will need an OBD II code reader to pull the codes and reset. They are not make specific like OBD I so you don't have to find one just for Subarus, but they cost a bit more than OBD I readers. Expect to pay $150 to $200 for an OBD II, any auto parts store should have one.

[Phoenix_3737]

im interested can i erase the codes on my 94..im guessing this helps the ecu out right....kinda like eraseing unused memory/programs on your comp?? i dont have a dealer for about 200 miles and i doubt i can get it up there...

[Earthworm]

On any 92-95 you can erase the codes yourself with methods mentioned on http://svx-iw.com or in the how-to's.

If you disconnect your battery overnight you can erase the ECU's memory on how to run the engine usually resulting in increased performance for a few trips.

[JeffN]

My 97 erased itself after all.

[TomsSVX]

jeff if the cel gremlin comes back, i have a scanner for obdII just give me a shout and you can shoot down to jersey, ill take care of it for free

[JeffN]

Thanks, love too, now if I can just get early retirement, I could visit you and EVEREYONE on the list!

[SVXer95]

Originally posted by tomssvx
jeff if the cel gremlin comes back, i have a scanner for obdII just give me a shout and you can shoot down to jersey, ill take care of it for free

Autozone also does this for free.

[TomsSVX]

i didn't know thet did it for free?

[SVXer95]

I know they will check your obdII codes for free. Not sure if they erase them though.

[Beav]

OBDII has a misfire detection program that the original ECUs didn't. If it was missing you'll be retrieving a code P0301 thru 06, the last two digits indicating which cylinder misfired. P0300 indicates random misfiring of more than one cylinder. It takes a number of misfires to turn the MIL on, so an occasional 'burp' now and then doesn't drive you crazy. Misfire detection works by sudden acceleration/deceleration of crankshaft speed as determinrd by the crank sensor. As such misfire detection only occurs at idle speeds (TPS @ 0 degrees open and rpm @ let's say, below 1000.)

[TomsSVX]

even so, if it did misfire, it shouldn't have. This means there was something going on the should not have happened, if i were you, i would pay close attention to this. don't want something small and insignificant to blow your motor and give u big troubles