william_hunter

That issue was a recall, though. I found a TSB on it at the time I was hunting for answers with my car. I contacted Subaru with the VIN and they confirmed for me that the recall spray on treatment had been applied, so I was out of luck there, but I have a bulldog of an attorney wife who got nasty with the dealer that sold me a car with a broken rear subframe and THEN inspected it and sent me on my way..lesson learned by me, I will admit, but you expect a certain amount of honesty when you work with a dealer, and I didn't get it, so we won out in the end (threatening to report their inspection station for failing to check an issue I think they obviously knew about didn't hurt). Contact Subaru and see what's up with any recalls on your vehicle.

Darn right it is. I can't believe it was that simple, but it was. Now I know who to blame, and it wasn't me! Yay! Tire place didn't buff the rims or obviously tighten the lugs to specs. Yeah, and let me tell you, it was disconcerting to say the least. The VDC light came on and it hummed and the front end took a dive, I was sure I had a drivetrain or steering problem that was going to make me drive the car into a pond (on purpose)

Interestingly, it appears that the entire issue was due to a single loose lug nut on the right rear tire and both rear tires being soft (way too soft for my comfort..time to unmount and grind the rims). I tightened the lugs, thinking it was a good first step, and found one to be darn near removable by hand..then I added about 12PSI to each rear tire to bring them up to spec (29 PSI) and it seems to have fixed the problem.

Hey all, here we go again. I have another issue with my OBW, when I steer, the steering feels loose, and when I go into a turn to the left, the steering judders, the VDC light comes on, and the front end gets more loose, its a little disconcerting. I am hoping this is a simple tie rod issue, but i was hoping to get some thoughts from you all before I go to theshop with it.

The ac blows wonderfully cold when it works, so I don't know about that. I think that the temp sensor diagnostics just check whether or not they are sending a signal and the actual temp readings are what the system uses to determine need for routing the air through the AC condenser, since the whole system is controlled by the computerized climate control thingy.

Hey all. I'm getting an intermittent AC problem in my OBW, and I am looking for other opinions..let me give you some background on this: AC either runs from startup (ignition key starting car) or not at all. Sometimes, shutting the car off and restarting will start cold air blowing, sometimes it won't. I ran climate control diagnostics and checked the sensors according to this: http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/261742-post4.html Step #1 resulted in a reading of 20, which apparently means no problems. The next step is to do temperature sensor readings. It was a hot day and the if I am reading this right, the first reading, outside air temp read at 94, second reading cabin air temp at 95, and third reading intake air temp at 54. Now this seems odd to me. I highly doubt the intake air was 54 degrees. That leads me to wonder: How can I check that intake temp sensor? I've also read that sometimes these are relay problems, and I wonder, how do I check that? Any help is appreciated folks, thanks.

Update: took it back to the guy I bought it from and flipped out on him. Having a wife that is an attorney finally paid off for me.. Entire rear end replaced, no charge. Here are the updated pics: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/eqz-BHTo2H_LzYKYlqcDsHwaS1VYkMJ_AJsZtVIcYOg?feat=directlink https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xJfAk23yVF55Lt7V0V3QEXwaS1VYkMJ_AJsZtVIcYOg?feat=directlink https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sSNtEy9Hu16CA8iiWpYAtXwaS1VYkMJ_AJsZtVIcYOg?feat=directlink https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BoBXMkr-zovuURDr7ggRg3waS1VYkMJ_AJsZtVIcYOg?feat=directlink Now it should last me a few years..

Yes, I can confirm that this is true. I've got a few leads on the parts I need, I just am going to wait and see if the dealer where I bought the car will make it right before I make the leap

Yeah, was hoping to find an entire rear end assembly, because of the rust all over the place back there. I have some good news from the dealer, who has agreed to take it back and look at it, possibly even footing the bill for the repair.

Now all I have to do is find a replacement and someone willing to deal with all that rust..oi.. Or else get my money back. Too bad, I really like that car.

I thought I did, but I didn't look under the car in front of the two back wheels.

Here's the right side: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3-gGFBuyYqUpcUM7KPvw6nwaS1VYkMJ_AJsZtVIcYOg?feat=directlink Here's the left: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/E4NnmkuCk-byAJO1sKFb1XwaS1VYkMJ_AJsZtVIcYOg?feat=directlink Nice, huh?

As soon as I get the car back home, I will. I intended to pick it up tonight and get images for the records, but the repair guy had to run out. Probably Thursday now

The sticker went on in December, the funny thing is, I think the guy didn't even really look at it. The check engine light came on a few days after I bought it, which means he reset the computer to get it through, then pasted the sticker on. He will be run through the legal mill on this one, I assure you. Wife = lawyer who didn't like the salesman, and is really pissed. I feel pretty safe in saying we will get something out of this. Money back would be good, then I can go find another Sube to replace this one.

Apparently, this is the very thing that the recall in 2003 was intended to prevent, but it did not. Subaru is not offering to cover the replacement, however, so now I am going to go after the dealer who sold and inspected this vehicle. The guy put my entire family at risk by certifying it was safe for the road and putting his inspection sticker on it. I think I will have some leg to stand on with him, and he will make it right or I will take him to court. Should be fun. Learned a lesson with this car, though, thats for sure.