later, Peter

the switches are located in the center console behind the e brake... a wiper warmer switch then the seat heat switches (yes, high & low) so remove that lovely plastic thing for change & the cd/tape holder box... the wire harness should be under that. I would consider a wrecking yard for an abandoned center console with the switches intact. Later, Peter:cool:

Yeah, I realized that last night... number TWO plug... anyway symptoms the same. Wires were from $55 to $100... OEM (dealer) were $73 so I figured WTF anyway. I couldn't get to number 4 in my lifetime so I thought frustration, time, anger, frustration & mental health were worth $60 to me... I was more concerned about the symptoms being caused by the wire or the plug VS. some other source... Later, Peter:cool:

'96 OBW with 162k miles hestation... got worse... CEL (read out as PO303 = misfire cylinder 3)... I figure plugs & wires (whew$$$$$ PLUS I had to order the parts!)... in the meantime, I pulled #3 plug & wire, cleaned the plug, & the connections of the wire & put it back... since the battery was removed to get at the plug, the CEL went out & hasn't come back. Put 1/2 tank of premium, one can of Seafoam in the gas tank & replaced the fuel filter... still hesitates but not as badly. Tomorrow going to the Dealership for a new set of plugs & wires.... only about $60 more than me buying the parts & a whole heck easier.... the question: were the CEL & the hesitation seperate but coincidental events? will the new plugs & wires resolve the situation? am I going to hear about another rather expensive problem? will Jack find work & marry Jill? Later, Peter:cool:

in the past 1 Toyota Corolla 1 Isuzu Trooper buckets of water on the driver's side BOTH were breaches in the windshield gasket/sealer.... try looking there with a tube of silicon ready for application. Later, Peter:cool:

Oh definitely not buying this vehicle... But the couple selling it are nice folks with a baby due soon... wanted to not see them paying out for work that won't solve the problem... You genius' are amazing to me! Later, Peter

I was about to purchase a '96OBW (would have been my 2nd '96 & 3rd phase I OBW currently owned). it had a CEL on (Cat related) After the first test drive up steep hills etc. it ran fine. I checked under the hood.... GOOP in the overflow tank. assumed it was HG BUT it did not overheat!!!! I took it to a mechanic (trusted & diagnosed a 4runner problem everyone else got wrong). His take: breach of the trans fluid IN THE RADIATOR! reasons: fumes eminating from the trans dip tube shifting not as smooth as my cars do (but no too terribly bad) the owner took the car to his mechanic He said HG!!! reasons: Subaru oil pressure is around 60 psi the water pressure is around 14 psi HGs go all the time because of this. My question is: since it never overheated since it shifted less than smooth was my mechanic on the money or is his????? Later, Peter:cool:

there is a substantiated theory that when air enters (or is not expelled properly upon coolant change) the cooling system, that air pocket over heats & breaches the headgasket. This theory is from a pilot that chooses to use these phase I 2.5 engines in his airplane... gotta figure he did some research. so just be careful refilling the cooling system. HOWEVER: what do I know? I have a '99 OBW with ~90k & a '96 OBW with ~165k no problems. Later, Peter:cool:

perhaps the local locksmith would be less expensive than the dealer

is it too late? Last summer I bought a 99 30th wagon with all the bells & whistles... it had 58k it now has 88k. I think this is a great vehicle. It prompted me to purchase a 96 OBW for my wife. She thinks hers is a great vehicle as well. there are theories about the cause of the hg problems, I have yet to speak to any owner of a PHASE I engine (while out driving or in parking lots or wherever) that has had that problem (186k was the highest mileage)... What can I say? It was the last year of the good lookin' OBWs Later, Peter

Headlights do seem to die in pairs... within days or so. You may not have noticed the one light out until the second one died. I had just replaced one in the '96 when 2 or 3 days later the other blew... I'm glad I stopped procrasinating on the first one or my wife would've had NO lights at all. later, Peter

If it's around the mirror you may try some "GOOP" (camping kinda stuff) on the crack itself... If it's the window sealing gasket, this MAY be an aftermarket product... usually (I've done this on other vehicles but neither of my Subarus) this will tuck into a fitted channel (soapy water should ease this task). Later, Peter

Here's what I have (used it twice worked both times): Disconnect & reconnect the Battery sit in driver's seat & close the door turn key on/off 10x within 15 seconds horn should beep 2x open driver's door & close press the remote button horn should beep 1x remove key if horn beeps 3x SUCCESS later, Peter

We had two weeks of snow & ice (highs of 30) & the two Subarus did extremely well... as usual. Suddenly it's 45/50 degrees & the mud's fun too. Later, Peter

I believe you can contact Subaru USA & request (read: demand) the regional service rep to draw the conclusion... You may also try to get them to extend the warranty period since there is a serious doubt... Or just try another dealership. Later, Peter

First car with an automatic transmission I have owned in about 30 years... I own two... 99 OBW with 86k 96 OBW with 158k works for me. Later, Peter

I did this on a '96... if I remember correctly two screw that hold the cupholder two screws behind the ashtray... & some wiggle moves.... If it still feels stuck, see if you can feel where the plate doesn't move... drips from the syrupy drinks are some times stronger than glue. It was a pretty easy job. Later, Peter

I am in Central Oregon... cold! I use Michelin X-Ice (2nd year) & they work... we have ice & snow & rain.... oh my. these tires stop my car, don't rip up the road, & I don't have to worry about what date the go on or come off.... Costco deals... like $360/4 mounted balanced lifetime balance & road hazard stuff. Later, Peter My wife's OBW has studded snows... she'll only drive it, in bad weather, if it's an emergency may as well be prepared.

I, too, am in the PNW... we have had some snow on the ground for weeks now... I took out the Trooper for the first time in almost that long (although not in 4WD) she slipped a little on one of the stops on the ice... the Subarus (own 2) don't have that problem at all... love them little subbies. later, PETER

first use the fader & balance controls to be sure it isn't just the setting....then: the wires, I believe, are under the back plate (in the trunk)... a wire may have been dislodged by moving things in the trunk???? take a peak.... then take it back to the dealer (if it was a factory install, if not to whoever did the install) & make them sit in the back & not hear that speaker. Later, Peter

I don't know the specific tool off hand (call the nearest dealer's shop techs) but I do know YOU MUST BE SURE TO GET ALL THE AIR OUT OF THE SYSTEM BEFORE YOU DRIVE... the theory is: the trapped air overheats & blows the Headgasket.... do a search on the technique necessary. Later, Peter

There used to be Dan's Subaru near gi joes in Tualatin. They were good but not the cheapest... & a place in SE called Metro Metric. Out here, Central Oregon... a HG job is more like $750 - $900 Just make sure NO air is left in the cooling system. Later, Peter

Ahh the joyous tale of the Phase I 2.5 head gasket monster.... There is a substiated theory (search) by an airplane pilot who chooses to use this engine in the air! that the problem apparantly stems from leaving air in the cooling system. This is a design flaw in this engine. However, you are able to avoid this issue by properly "burping" all the air from the system. considering that there are MANY MANY MANY 96 - 99 1/2 engines on the road with lots of miles (I have one with 155k & one with 85k) that have NOT had the hg's replaced... & even if they have had them done, is it still not a great little ride & the best looking Subaru???????? Do you think if the % was, in reality, that high that you'd see all these sleek beauties cruisin' about? Later, Peter keep in mind: "all lies & jest until a man hears what he wants to hear & disregards the rest..." Paul Simon

Block Heater??? I have a block heater? where's the plug? Later, Peter

not overheating? pull the auto trans dip stick out (warmed up) & see if you see fumes (may want to use a flashlight to do this inspection).... it is possible that the trans cooler (running through the radiator) has breeched.... this is an easier job to repair than the HG's... new/used radiator flush the cooling system until it runs clear be sure you leave NO air pockets in the CS flush the trans system a few times.... good to go. Later, Peter

Wow that brought on a flashback... the very first Subaru I ever test drove made this weird ticking (valve-ish) noise... the "salesman" said that ALL Subarus do that, it was a subaru noise.... I looked under the hood when we got back to the car lot to find one loose spark plug. I hand tightened it & the noise disappeared... so did I. Have been a fond Subaru owner since. Later, Peter