2001 Forester Security System

[herbct01]

I just purchased a 2001 Forester off eBay from a wholesaler. The car is what I was looking for and better than I expected. The problem is the car did not have the remote entry gizmo.

I tried to use the procedure from my daughter's 2000 Legacy with the intent to use her spare remote but the procedure caused the horn to blow 4 times and now the passive alarm does not work nor do the automatic door locks.

Does anyone have the alarm programming sequence for this car and will the 2000 Legacy gizmo work on this Forester?

Thanks for any help.

[felipe01forester]

Did it come with the manual? If so, the programming sequence should be in there. I think it's something like rapidly turning on and off the ignition while the door is open, then pushing the "lock" button on the key fob.

[herbct01]

It did not come with the manual. I have ordered one and meanwhile I went to mySubaru and saw that the sequence for programming was the same one I used - turning the ignition on/off 10 times in 15 seconds. I did not get the 1 horn beep, I got 4 beeps, so I don't know what that means. Interesting that the automatic door locks no longer work either.

[medfurd]

Under the hood there's a yellow label on my car, I don't know if it explains much, but it deals with the security system. It's on the upper cross frame that the hood rests on when closed, towards the driver side.

[herbct01]

It's fixed. The three extra beeps meant that a door or something was open. The driver's door has a flaky switch. Once a got that to seat properly the programming worked fine with the 2000 Legacy transmitter.

 

Thanks for your response(s).

[felipe01forester]

No problem. If you have anymore questions about your 01, ask me. However, I have a few tips for you.

 

1. The clutches tend to wear out on the 01s after about 70k. If it's still the factory clutch, I'd get it checked out. Mine went to 73k before giving out.

2. If you plan to do any off-roading, you'll shred up the flimsy plastic engine cover on the underside. See about getting a metal engine cover or skid plate, if you're into that sort of thing.

3. Get your oil changed every 3k, and tune-up at 60 and 75. Properly maintain this car, and it'll outlast you.

4. The 2.5 engines don't have any chronic problems that I know of. But, don't let the little thing fool you. It definitely has some go in it.

 

Good luck and happy driving!

[herbct01]

Thanks for the tips. The Forester is an automatic and I don't plan to do any off-roading. This makes the 4th Subie for my family.

I picked this one (72K mi.) up off eBay for $9K and drove it home from Ohio. I was pleased with how it drove, rode and handled. The car is what I was looking for even though I had never driven a Forester. Now I have to sell my wife's '96 Legacy and my reliable '87 GL10 Turbo.

The only problem with the Forester may be related to it being a NY car and there is evidence of road chemical exposure. There is some undercoating peeling in the wheel wells and that surprises me because I didn't think cars were undercoated anymore. With the new rust proofing I understood that it was a waste to undercoat. I am trusting that the rust proofing on the Forester is pretty good.

I even found some 16" wheels and tires on eBay for <$500 that I can use to replace the snow tires that came on the car and the wheels that have some chemical damage.

I believe the fun has just begun.