The Chad

You guys rock, thanks. I haven't had to fix our Sooby in so long that I forgot what was what!

Very cool. Could I just order the O ring and fix it myself?

I've just noticed that this thing is covered with oil, what is it? I feel dumb, sorry to have to ask.

Thanks guys. I had already done the searches before posting, didn't see any solutions however. The fuse is holding again right now, don't understand what's making it blow. Right on, my only electrical experience relates to guitar wiring which is much simpler! Lots with turning wrenches, however. If it happens again and I happen to nail a solution, I'll be sure to post it here.

Parking lights aren't working, either. The parking lights switch does nothing.

1998 Legacy 4 door, 214K and runs great, we maintain it well. Problem: Tail lights and license plate lights suddenly quit working. Brake lights work fine. I read a couple of similar threads, though no solution was ever listed (that I'd seen). Sounds like this is somewhat common, what should I look for? Need help from the experts. Driving at night without rear lights is officer bait! Thanks guys, appreciate your responses. Really can't afford to take this to a Subaru dealer.

have you tried it more than once? Yep, it performed that way 3 times in a row, weird!!!flat ground or on a hill? on flat when you put it in park do you: 1. hold the brake pedal in 2. pull up on the ebrake 3. then put it in park I don't put the ebrake on... never have, except on an incline ???? that's how it should be done but many folks just throw it in park and then put the brake on. I'll try this, thanks. one way severly loads the parking pawl mechanism (the later) and the other does not. i would try the proper way and see if it still does it, this should tell us if it's related to the trans or not. I'll do that, let you know what happens!

Anyone had this problem before?! 98 Legacy, 192k. Auto. I put my FWD fuse in to check the torque bind, started the car, applied the brake and tried to shift to drive, but it wouldn't come out of park. It made a click noise in the steering column when I pushed the shifter button in, but wouldn't release! I took the fuse out, applied the brake, and it will shift out of park. But it won't do it with the fuse in! Ideas?!

Thanks a lot, I'll check it out like you'd said. If all fails, it's off the the shop!

1998 Legacy. My Wife hit a curb, now the steering feels like it pulses or more accurately makes quick "steps" to the right while turning right at low speeds. For instance, while turning right the steering wheel will take a little step, step, step, step while making the turn. To the left, it seems fine. At higher speeds while going into a right turn, I sometimes feel a rapid mechanical knock like something's loose. While going straight, the steering wheel pulses to the right slightly. Applying brakes doesn't seem to help. So... could be a lot of things, but any tips for diagnosis? I'd already swapped the front right with the rear right wheel, it was a very slight help but it's still there. Already been to one shop and they weren't too good, so before I go to another I'd like to hear what you all think.

I don't know if you'd be comfortable with this, and it may not be a good idea depending on your location or who the seller is, but cash is an excellent negotiating tool if you've got it. With cash, you could tell them you'll hand them the cash today for however much you want to spend. There's someting about he idea of thousands of dollars of actual cash in the seller's hand is a great motivator for the seller to sell for less. I'd bought one car that way, and a friend of mine actually takesthe cash along when he goes to look at a car, and that seals the deal. I don't recommend physically carrying the cash to look at the car, works for my friend that buys and sells but it's not safe!

Just had the timing belt replaced on my 1998 Legacy L 2.2. It was last changed about 80,000 miles ago, so it was time. The car's got 173,000 on it now so I was expecting to have the pulleys replaced too, since it would make sense that they'd be worn out by now. I took the hour drive to Orbach's Automotive in Denver, PA. Love those guys, they're Subaru specialists that almost exclusively deal with Subies and I won't let anyone else touch my Legacy. Anyway, they said that the pulleys were still spinning free and smoothly so they weren't going to replace them. At 173,000 miles! Pretty impressive, I thought. I'd read that after 100,000 or a decade that the pulleys would be dried out and shot, but they weren't. :cool: Thought I'd share that since it surprised me. If anyone is within a couple hours reach of Orbach's Automotive (365 REINHOLDS RD, DENVER, PA 17517-9378), you can trust your Subie to them. They're a great little shop who's been around for 20 something years, they are the definitive Subaru wizards, and have excellent pricing. Tell them Chad from Harrisburg sent ya.

I have seen quite a few of these over the past year in my area (Central Pennsylvania), and the private seller prices have been from $2000 - $3000, in maintained condition, most were in the lower to mid $2,000 range. Your plus is that it's a manual tranny! People really like those, and if someone's looking to buy an older vehicle like this, then stick may very well be what they prefer.

Nipper my man, take the rest of the week off with pay for an answer well done. I searched on what you'd said and found all I'd needed. The dealer had a couple of the bulbs, is ordering the other buld I need, and I'd already installed the bulb for the lights on the gear selecter. Sure will be cool to see everything light up, thanks!

'98 Legacy L sedan, and the only interior illumination I have is on the speedo/tach area, the "cruise" button, and the radio. Nothing else inside lights up while I'm driving at night. Anyone know if the climate control cluster or the automatic gear shifter area should also be illuminated? Other cars are usually lit in these areas, and I'm wondering if the Subaru should be lit up there, too. I'd recently gotten the car so I don't know what's normal. Anyone know?