lhrocker

1997 Legacy L sedan auto with 130k. I bought the car with 119k, did a full tuneup with OEM parts, timing belts, water pump, exhaust pipe and such. No issues up till last weekends CEL. Now it's back to running good again.

Last Sunday, on the way home from NYC to NJ, my CEL light came on my 97 Legacy. I drove it home, shut the engine off, pull the battery cable for a couple of hours, then reconnected it. This used to work when I had "coil pack issues". When it restarted, the CEL was still on, so since I was going on vacation, I figured I would take a look at it when I got back. I got back yesterday and restarted the car, and the CEL was gone. I drove it all day today and everything seems fine. I used about 150 miles worth of gas when the light came on, so I thought that may be the issue. I also noticed that the idle was a little higher than normal (800 rather than 600). Since the light is gone, is there any reason to check for a code? I don't have a code reader and am not sure if an Autozone will check if the light isn't on. Maybe I should just forget about it for now?

Did you try moving the steering wheel? Sometimes when I can't get the key to turn, I move the steering wheel while turning the key and it will then work.

Sounds like a good deal. I got my 97 MY Legacy sedan with a $2995 listed price for 3100 out the door with taxes, title, tags and all that other dealer nonsense. I think the taxes/tags/reg and fees came to a bit over $500, so the car was only $2700. It had 119k, so like I did the timing belts, water pump, seals, ABS issues, rotors and pads, exhaust, new rims and all fluids. After another $1400 in maint/pm and upgrades and 7000 miles later, she runs like a dream!!! Best of luck on your new ride.

I got it checked out today. It turned out to be the pipe segment between the catalytic converter and the muffler. There was also a heat shield that was loose. Cost me $200, but the car is now quiet inside and out.

Has anyone used the 1 to 3 12 volt adapters in their Subies? Are there any issues or hazards? I would just need to run a GPS and iPod or XM radio. Thanx in advance.

I just noticed that when my 97 Legacy is cold (even on a hot day), when I step on the gas, there is some "rattling" under the hood. The noise sounds like it comes from the front of the car, but not really sure. I had all of the fluids changed when I got the car 2 months ago. There is no binding and no CEL's are coming up. I'd like to nip this at the bud as it currently has 127k miles on it. I did have an oil change with Mobil 1 a couple of weeks ago, but I didn't really check the level since. I had Mobil 1 since I bought the car and didn't really notice the noise (i'm a rollup the windows, turn on the AC and blast the music kinda driver. Any help would be greatful.

I just got my first "free oil change for life" from my dealer on my 2003 Legacy. On the workorder, they charged me 1 oil filter and 1 gasket - oil and labor was free. Doesn't the gasket normally come with the OEM filter?

Does anyone know what plugs are used on a 2k3 Legacy SE? Can I use standard NGK's like in my 97, or should they be platinum/iridium? Are the plugs easy to change, like my 97, or is it more of a PITA? Thanx, Pete

My 86 GL 3 door lasted 10 years/150K. My 95 Legacy L, purchased in 2003 at 107k lasted 3 years/204k. My 97 was purchased this year with 119K on it and I expect it to go into the 200k range. And lastly, my 2003 Legacy SE has 45k in 4 years.

I have a 03 Legacy LSE that I would like to install a dimming rear view mirror on. Is this an easy install? Do I need to go with Subaru or can I get a third party unit? Will there be any electrical connections that will need to be made?

Fingers crossed that it's not a major leak...

I had a quarter of a can of R134a from a couple of years ago with a pressure guage. I connected it to the AC unit and saw that it was low. I emptied the can into the AC system, which after the can was empty, brought the gauge right to the beginning of ok on the dial. I then drove the car for a couple of miles and everything started to cool down. It wasn't icy cold, but it definitely was much cooler than the start of the day. I'll porbably bring it in for service over the weekend, and get a full evac and refill, plus check for leaks.

I was on vacation last week and drove our 03 Legacy wagon. This morning as I was going to work, I turned on the AC in my 97 Legacy sedan and there was no AC. The AC worked without a hitch up until I went on vacation. When I push the AC button, the light comes on, but the compressor doesn't kick in. I was going to do a full tune up on the car, but I never got a chance to - nothing under the hood was touched. The only thing that was done to the car was it was washed and vacuumed by my wife on Saturday nite. She is a neat nut, so is there anything that she could have disconnected/broke by vacuuming the inside of the car (especially on the driver and passenger foot areas? Is there anything else I should check out? Thanx - Pete

These were ordered online at genuinesubaruparts.com. As long as they fit, I guess everything is cool.

I just got a set of OEM wires for a 1997 Legacy. On the coil pack side, 2 wires are straight while 2 wires have a 90 angle. Which wire goes on which plug? I checked my car and all of the wires have straight plugs to the coil pack?

I don't want to remove the pan, just drain the AT fluid and refill.

As a part of getting regular maintenance on my 2 Legacy's, I decided to do fluid change myself. The question is, rather than doing a full tranny flush once a year or so, can I empty and replace what's in the pan every 2 or 3 oil changes instead?

Go here and check it out for yourself: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

That's what I wanted to hear. I like the Outback/GT fog lights, so I figure if the bumper fits, then I can get the lights to be OEM.... Unless there are lights that fit into the two small openings of the standard Legacy L.

For the same model years, are the bumpers for all Legacy's and outbacks interchangeable? Can a Legacy GT front bumper be installed on a Legacy L? Thanx, pete

The original tires on my 97 Legacy was 185/70R14. I went up plus 2 and thought I had 205/50R16 on them now, but they are actually 205/55R16. I dd some research and found out that now when my speedometer says 60, I'm actually doing 62 and change, so speedometer is no longer correct. Will this be the same with the odometer? If so, how can I now calculate what the actual mileage is with what I see on the odometer. Other than the size, everything else seems fine. I will get 205/50R16's when I replace the tires- or should I just do it now?

A 95 LegacyL should be a non-interference engine. I had one

My brakes aren't that rusty... yet

So in laymans terms, just drive the car and don't worry about it, right?