clamshell4 Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 I have a '98 Outback Legacy wagon that has caused nothing but problems for the past 9 months. It will go though periods where it runs just fine and the all of sudden will run extremely rough, It happened today. I started it up at the end of the day to drive downhill on my way from work. The engine light came on and then it started to run very rough. I pulled over and continued on my way. The only problem was that I couldn't get it to go over 45 m.p.h. I pulled over, turned it off, restarted it, and it ran fine. Something similar happened a few weeks ago when I first ran the air conditioner. It completely died when I went downhill. Cleaning the battery terminals took care of this. The plugs and wires are new, gas filter replaced, along with a laundry list of other things. Oh, if my mechanic could only give me frequent flier miles, I'd be writing this from a beach in Tahiti. I'm at his shop more than the parts delivery guy! When the engine light comes on, it comes back with an undocumented code. What's going on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commuter Posted June 17, 2004 Share Posted June 17, 2004 Just a wild guess... How old is the battery? Is the charging system up to snuff? Commuter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clamshell4 Posted June 18, 2004 Author Share Posted June 18, 2004 Battery was just changed 2 weeks ago along with alternator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clamshell4 Posted June 18, 2004 Author Share Posted June 18, 2004 I've been reading other posts....what about carbon buildup? What about an o2 sensor? I really don't want to spend more money on this car, but I would like to solve this problem myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sea#3 Posted June 18, 2004 Share Posted June 18, 2004 clamshell4 You might want to look at your MAIN RELAY , this relay controls power to your ECM and to your fuel pump . From what you have decribed it may have a bad connection in it . So when you turn the car of and restart it the relay is triggered again and makes a beter contact than before , and it drives fine until the conact degrades . You say your mechanic has scan for codes but "it comes back with an undocumented code" . Can he not tell you what the code is ? It should come back with a PO.... or a P1.... if there is a fault in the system SEA#3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clamshell4 Posted June 21, 2004 Author Share Posted June 21, 2004 Thanks! I'll ask for the code the next time it happens. I really hope that I can get to the bottom of this within the next 10 day. I have a long road trip coming up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clamshell4 Posted June 22, 2004 Author Share Posted June 22, 2004 The engine light came on this morning as I was driving to work. Once again it came up with an undocumented code - P1406 or 1407 - can't remember which it was. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sea#3 Posted June 23, 2004 Share Posted June 23, 2004 clamshell4 I checked the manual for a P1406 or P1407 and there is no code in the manual Hence the reading your mechanic is getting The manuals only cover North American vehicles(Im assuming your in N/A) The area that code falls under though is in the evaporator / fuel tank area of codes Has the vehicle ever been in an accident? If so where? (Front, back, side) Does it make a difference how full the gas tank is ? (frequency of trouble) SEA#3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabidsqrl Posted June 23, 2004 Share Posted June 23, 2004 Try this post. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=17980You are describing exactly what was happening to my car recently. I spent tons of money trying to fix my problem that I could of used to buy a new motor with. mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clamshell4 Posted June 23, 2004 Author Share Posted June 23, 2004 I had the engine rebuilt in January when the car had only 81,000 mile. My former mechanic did the timing belt and water pump in the fall. Then I had it towed to his shop in December because it wouldn't start. He replaced the timing belt tensioner. I picked the car up after paying him $400 for the tensioner, ignition coil pack, plugs, wires, etc. I drove less than 2 miles and the head gasket went. He had ti towed back to his shop and told me that I had some sort of timing issue. When he realized the extent of the damage, he changed it to a head gasket issue. I am not convinced that the head gasket caused my problems. I feel that there was something else going on. It runs like crap - ticks like a sewing machine, belts (all replaced) make a lot of noise. I have to keep this car for a few more months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clamshell4 Posted June 23, 2004 Author Share Posted June 23, 2004 I think I may have gotten the code wrong. I had no pen with me and may have screwed up the numbers. The car has never been in an accident, to my knowledge anyway. I really should paint it bright YELLOW! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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