AKSoob

I recently put new cylinder heads on my 2001 Subaru Forester 2.5L SOHC. When I pulled the engine, I opened up the refrigerant valves and as a result have none left. The check engine light is now always on and the code is P0534. I can't reset it or get it to go off. I live in Alaska and don't really need the A/C. Is there a way to make my car think it doesn't have an A/C at all? I've tried removing the compressor belt, and pulling the fuse for the A/C. Any other ideas? or should I just get it serviced or try to charge it myself? Also, what cost do you think it would be to get it serviced? Thanks for your help.

Ok, thanks for the info Fairtax4me. That's a huge load off my mind. I thought I'd ruined the AWD. How fast would I have to turn it by hand in say first gear to see if it grabs the back wheels? Or is this a bad way to test AWD?

Its a 2002, 2.5L SOHC Manual Transmission. I'm just looking for a way to check to see if the AWD is still in tact besides driving it. I've got the engine pulled to replace the valves and head gaskets, and figured while I've got it like this, and am waiting for parts, I might be able to check the AWD somehow.

Hha. I imagine the front wheels would spin for about 10 seconds, and then I'd go through the back wall of my house. On the upside, I'd know that my AWD was still functioning properly.

I have the front of my car on jack stands while I'm working on the engine. The rear wheels are on the ground with the emergency break on. One thing that I've noticed that seems weird but may be normal is that when I put the car in gear, I can turn the crank shaft with no resistance. Front wheels spin freely. This makes me think that somehow the rear wheels are not connected properly. If I apply the brakes and lock up the front wheels with it in gear, I can't turn the crank at all. I don't think I should be able to turn the engine (crank) with the car in gear and the E-brake on. Any thoughts?

I ended up using a flat bed trailer, so all four wheels were off the ground. I just concerned that somehow I've done something bad to my car. I'm in the process of replacing several valves and so I can't drive it to see.

I recently had a breakdown (timing belt issue) and I attempted to tow the car back home using a tow dolly (I know the error of my ways now) that I rented from uhaul. The tow dolly had the front two wheels up off the ground, and the rear wheels on the ground. I got about 100 feet down the road and my back tires locked up. Luckily I was taking it slow and was able to quickly stop leaving about 10 feet of tire marks from dragging. I waited about 2 minutes and drove about 20 more feet to get off the road, going really slow, with no lock-up problem. I have no idea what kind of damage I did, and am looking for advice on diagnosing anything or if anyone has had experience with something like this. I drive an 02 forester, 2.5L SOHC Manual Trans. Thanks.

I looked at my photos, and I can't seem to find one with the entire car in it. I'll post one when I get a chance. Thanks for the info.

I've had my 02 Subaru Forester for 4 years, and love it. I do a lot of fishing, hunting, and rafting and it goes everywhere. Its a great ride with good gas mileage and it tows my small riverboat and raft like a champ. I've recently been having a little trouble with it, and was excited to get my hands dirty and fix it myself. I'm new to this board and wanted to get some advice on how to diagnose and work on it properly. Its an 02, 2.5L SOHC Manual Transmission with about 85,000 miles.