ahreno

I've been having some issues with my car revving up (I think to about 2100 rpm) when I push the clutch in and the car is in motion. The dealership said it was just the computer learning my driving habits again and the problem would go away in a few weeks (the car had some.major damage to the front right due to previous owner hitting a huge pothole and it needed some major repairs). The problem didn't go away so I took it to my actual mechanic (have had bad experiences with dealership) and they added (or removed?) The neutral bypass which cured the problem. They said if the check engine light came on later to let them know. The light came (the code indicates its the neutral bypass and the steering angle sensor) and the car is scheduled.to.go to the shop tomorrow. I'm unsure if they're going to charge me an hours worth of labor to undo what they did. If they do want to charge me, is this something easy that I can do myself? I googled but didn't find anything directly related to my car... One Google result made it look like it was just a jumper that could be pulled off. The steering angle sensor was recently replaced by the dealership so I'm assuming they'll have some sort of warranty on their work. Any help?

yes, damage was front right wheel area. I checked the fuse under the hood (#1 i think) and the one under the dash (#30) and both were fine. I checked where the ABS sensor plugs into the brake and it seemed fine. I couldn't find the VDC module and searching google proved unhelpful. I tried following the wire from the abs sensor but lost it when it went through the firewall. Any tips where it is? Also, no idea where the control unit is so any tips on that would be appreciated. Thanks for the help so far.

i went to my local mechanic to try to get them to clear the codes. They were kind of confused by it and said they couldn't do it. Said it had to be the subaru dealer... so not sure there. The dealer is going to charge me $100 diagnostic fee. Assholes.

Thanks. i'll try that. The battery is replaced and brand new, though it does seem to drain quite fast if i have the radio on and the car not running. I'll see if i can get my mechanic to clear the codes.

I bought a friends 2008 Subaru impreza outback sport. He hit a big pothole and was moving to hawaii so needed to sell the car cheap but damaged. I bought it and have had a friend replace the rack and pinion, power steering, strut, control arm and stabilizing bar. The VDC light and Hill Start assist lights are both on in the dash. I've tried the VDC button and thats not it. I did the headlight / odometer trick and it outputted these codes: c0071 (steering angle sensor) c0042 (Power supply voltage failure) and c0075 (Right Front ABS Solenoid #2 Circuit Malfunction) is there a common thing between them that i can get replaced? I can't really afford the $100 dealer diagnostic fee nor can i afford their prices. Is fixing this myself, or from a non dealer mechanic unadvisable for any reasons? thanks in advance for any help.

I got an 08 Impreza outback sport for cheap (about $3000) because it had a disagreement with a pothole. I've gotten the major repairs done but one of the rims is toast. So... I've called the junk yard and even if they could find me one it'd be $250. On craigslist i found this: http://corvallis.craigslist.org/pts/3536699203.html I dont like the rims but I'm not picky either. My hold up is the fact that the sidewall is 40... 80% of the time my girlfriend will be driving the car in town, but living in oregon and california camping and some gravel roads are driven on for sure. Would i regret going with this setup? My other option is a set of subaru rims for $175 (also on craigslist and they're spray painted black?!?) and then having to buy new tires that run $150 each give or take. Any opinions?

Great discussion... thanks for all the info. 1. The heater seems to be the same as always. 2. Is it easy to install the 02 sensor myself with limited car knowledge but decent wiring and mechanical general knowledge... can a car part store test the 02 sensor before removing it? Does it pay to "upgrade" to an aftermarket product rather than OEM? 3. I will keep an eye on the thermostat, i haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary with it, but i'll keep my eyes on it.

it's easily been two months since the battery was disconnected.

I dont know when the wires and plugs were last done, it may have just been 6 months ago, i can't remember if the mechanic did it then or said to wait till next time. mileage is around 107k

Yeah i've checked the tire pressure... they're all fine... How do i go about getting the O2 sensor checked/replaced? Is it an expensive item?

Thanks for the great advice. The battery terminals are clean... As far as when the battery was last replaced, I don't know... it hasn't been since i've owned it (1.4 years). I'll get it tested and then start worrying about the other suggestions. I leave it in neutral overnight everynight (just with parking brake on).

Sorry for the barrage of posts but I always forget to come and ask when i have questions so here i am asking them all at once. I bought my 2000 subaru used about a year ago with approx 90,000 miles. The transmission and clutch were replaced and have about 20k less miles. I notice that when i drive, especially when pushing the car a bit (uphill or on logging roads) that when i stop there is a burning smell... like burning oil or some other liquid. I've had a very honest shop look at it and said Subaru's are notorious for small leaks and that he didn't notice anything to be worried about. In the opinion of the subaru gods here is this something i should be concerned about? Anything i can do to stop / decrease it? Thanks for all the help!

I was pretty regularly getting 22-27 mpg (i check every time i put gas in) but about 2 months ago my mileage dropped down to about 16mpg. I've since had the air filter and fuel filter replaced with an oil change but it hasn't fixed anything. I've also had the compression in the engine checked and it's perfect. The tires are all at a standard pressure and my driving habits haven't changed at all. Around the time the drop occured the battery was disconnected for a bit, not sure if that has anything to do with it or not. I really have no clue what would have caused this... any thoughts?

I have a 2000 outback and am having problems with it starting the first time each day. I turn the key and nothing happens. Pretty much identical to not having the clutch all the way down however, i'm absolutley positive it is. Sometimes it will start on the second or third try, sometimes it takes a couple minutes of trying... Then it starts right up... not like the battery is dead or anything. It doesn't make any weird sounds when it's not starting either (no clicks or anything). After it starts the first time in the morning, it works fine the rest of the day (maybe once or twice have i had to try twice in the afternoon). I pretty much have no idea what to do. I can't even take it to a shop as the problem only exists first thing in the AM and sometimes not at all. Anyone have any ideas?

nope, its a manual, thanks for the suggestions, i thikn i'm going to try tonight.

I'm about to put a car computer into my 2000 outback and after a quick look last night, i can't see any places i can run a ~8-10 gauge wire through the firewall. I would really like to avoid drilling a hole, as this is something i've never done. Anyone have any experience in this and can give me some sort idea of somewhere i can squeeze it through? Thanks much in advance.

i've got it all apart except for one screw? on the bottom left, i can't find it anywhere... can anyone give me some sort of idea?

I want to install a cd player into my 2000 outback and can't figure out how to get the dash apart... i don't want to start prying things apart because they will probably break... any suggestions or help?

Can anyone point me in the direction of a website that tells me how to change my brakes? I can't afford to get it done at a shop and want to look into doing it myself. I've googled but didn't have much luck. Any help is appreciated. is it pretty difficult? i just need to do the pads in back and will probably do the front as well. Thanks!

well i know in my opinion i think it was a good deal, i'm just curious what other subaru owners think... I couldn't find any subarus at dealers or private party for less than 10k and newer than 99ish... Did i pay too much?

I'm not sure i understand this statement... it sounds almost like you're saying i'm going to end up hating my car??? in response to your statements, and by no means am I trying to argue or state my superior knowledge (which it isn't!) #1. While i haven't heard of anyone getting BETTER gas mileage from it, I HAVE heard of someone getting worse mileage after it reset (almost 10mpg worse) And i have had it recommended to me to try it... can't hurt can it? besides having to reset my clock! #2. 98,000 miles yes... 60k on the transmission and clutch. Just curious, how long do subarus usually last and whats the first to go on them? I paid $8000 and it came with traction tires (no rims) and a pet barrier (woo hoo!). That's $1700 off blue book for private party in GOOD condition... which it is, a couple small dings in the paint here and there... The people were very very good about maintainence... they have all the receipts from everything done on it. As far as hitting 28mpg, that may be so, but my mom has the identical car (only white) and she get's 27mpg almost everytime she checks... and that's a combination of city/highway a pretty even mix of both. And i know she didn't replace all of that stuff. Thank you though for your time to reply. I am going to drive it for a month or so, and then reset my ecu and drive it like a grandma and see how the fuel economy changes...

thanks for the reply... i'm going to drive it for a couple weeks and see what I get for mpg... My mom has the exact same car (only white) and she get's 27 pretty much everytime... and it's a mix of city/freeway think the price i paid was a good price? the Tranny was replaced and has 60k miles on it

Hey, first time posting here... I just bought my first (and probably not last) Subaru last night. I picked up a 2000 Outback 5 speed wiht 98k miles for $8k. Hopefully i got a good deal! I love the damn thing... It handles as well as my fathers corvette. I did a bit of research on them before i bought it of course, and found that they are supposed to get 22-27 mpg. The owner of this car said he get's about 20-25mpg (city/freeway of course). I have also read about someone getting 30-35 with a 2000 Impreza outback sport (i realize this is a slightly? different car than mine) but then his ECU being reset (by his battery being unhooked) and his fuel economy being dropped down to 20-25... so I'm curious if resetting my ECU (batter cable disconnect i assume?) and then driving it very conservatively for the first (how long should i?) could get the ecu to use a more efficient setting. Hopefully this makes sense? My knowlede in the workings of cars is limited to say the least, this is all just things i've learned in the last 12 hours... thoughts?