crowheart

Does anyone know of a good Subaru mechanic (not a dealership) in the NW suburbs of Chicago? I have a 2001 Impreza 2.2 LTR that is going to need some work. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks...

My concern is I wonder if he actually changed it. How long do these belts go before they sna? What are the consequences? Can I find out if it was actually changed?

Yes I just found out. I guess I got ripped from a shop I have been using for quite a while. Can it be determined if the belt was actually changed? This shop is micro-managed by a former Subaru dealership mechanic. He knows the schedule. I screwed up and just thought that the schedule was the same as my 96 Legacy 2.2 which is every 60,000 miles. I got to hunt for another Subaru mechanic now. I am frigging pissed.

Yikes, I changed it according to my 96 Legacy 2.2 schedule. The experieced Subaru mechanic neglected to tell me. I wonder if they even changed it. The shop is run by an experienced former Subaru dealership mechanic. Is there any way of determing if the original belt is still on there? I feel like I have been hosed. I do have the receipt of the timing belt supposedly being changed. I guess that would be ammunition if the belt snaps( I don't want that though).

I have over 108,000 miles on this car( plus a used trans installed:mad:) I was wondering how urgent is it to get the timing belt replaced at 120,000 miles( I replaced the original at 61,000 miles. I guess my point is I am not sure if I want to pay for the service if I will eventually sell this car. I don't plan on keeping it past 10 years. I had a 96 Legacy Wagon 2.2 that was great for 11 years, just basic upkeep (replaced it with a 2009 Mazda 3 Hatch). At 12 years the car just seemed to fall apart and it became a major headache and money pit. Any suggestions or advise on the timing belt change would be greatly appreciated. thanks...

Anyone?

Does anyone know of a reliable non-dealer shop in the Chicago metro area to do work on Subaru's? Thanks...

I am looking to replace my 1996 Legacy Wagon with a newer used Subaru. Can anyone tell me what year models to avoid because of engine problems with the 2.5? I have heard there are major issues with these engines.

And they never really gave me the codes...For some reason they didn't come up...I told them what I found...I have no idea....

5 dead solenoids...Not Turns out that wasn't the case. Now they don't know what is wrong. Thet put new trans fluid in, cleared the codes and took the car for a spin. It is shifting and driving normaly. I spent all day in the shop cost me 162.00 and no real resolution. Funny thing is they assumed the solenoids were dead because they couldn't get them to click by applying a charge. ( I don't know) When the new solenoids came in from the part store they tried to get those to click as well and they didn't(still don't know). At that point I was ready to leave, which I did... Very scary experience here...I have used this shop for years....Owner of shop is a former subaru mechanic.. This mistake could have cost me greatly....

I have been told that 5 of the 7 solenoids in the trans are dead! How can that happen? Some kind of eletrical surge? Need some help here afraid I am going to end up spending big bucks.

Thanks for the help. I will get up in the morning and get the CEL code pulled at autozone. Thanks again...

We think it is code 77. I had my wife count it as well. I will autozone autozone read the code for the CEL. I want to be armed with facts before I go to the shop.

Counting the flashing AT light to get the DTC is a bit difficult. It's possible the code is 77 which would be the lock-up duty solenoid detects open or shorted signal circuit Any ideas? anyone?

Sorry about the double post but I realized I put to much info in my first post....I apologize.. New to the forum hoping to get some advice here. I just pulled the TCM code for my flashing AT Oil Temp light. I used a method that counts the flashes long and short(the shifting etc,etc). Anyway the code I came up with is 76. From my research this means the 2-4 brake duty solenoid detects open or shorted signal circuit. I do not understand cars. I am just trying to know what I am dealing with so I can make an informed decision and not get ripped off. If you can explain this in somewhat non-technical terms as far as the possible solution and cost I would greatly appreciate it thanks... Also the light does not flash when I first start the car. The Check Engine Light is now on all the time as well.

Thanks for the reply. Hopefully that is correct. I would never buy another Subaru if that problem hasn't been corrected. 2006 and up how do we know? what about the TCM code 76 2-4 Brake duty solenoid detects open or shorted signal circuit ? Any help there?.....

I found out that the TCM code is 76. 2-4 brake duty solenoid. What does this mean?

My wifes car just had the AT engine oil temp light start flashing. The check engine light has come on as well. Not sure what is going on here. I am not mechanically knowledgeable on this subject. Another problem that turned up is the heater only blows hot air when it is on the highest setting which is 4. I also have a 1996 Subaru legacy wagon and I am ready to replace it(2,220 dollars in repairs since October). I want to buy another Subaru, but I have heard there are some problems with the 2.5 engine. Are there any years I should avoid? I am looking for a 2006 through 2008 model probably a Forester. Any help on these issues would be greatly appreciated. thanks...

I don't even know where the sensor is or what it looks like. I would be willing to learn though.

My wifes Impreza 2001 2.2 Check engine light just came on today. I took the car over to autozone and had the codes read it came up with code P0325. I quess this is the knock sensor. The light has gone back off. this was a very brief maybe one hour deal. Should I get this looked into and spend the money, or wait and see if the light pops back on and then get it diagnosed. The knock sensor could be failing that i gather, but could it be cheap gasoline? A loose gascap or something alone those lines. Or is the P0325 code fairly cut and dry. Any help would be appreciated since I am without a clue about the mechanics of my car. Thanks...Crowheart

Thanks for all of the help....

I believe I am about due for that. Is that something that a novice can do? I would like to save some money since I will have to repalce the timing- belt soon.

I watched the guy plugging the unit under the dash. It came up with the code P0302. Does that mean anything to anybody? The unit he was using said 1 of 2, but he never gave me another code number(frigging cold out) maybe he just wanted to get in. Anyway, all and any help would be appreciated. Thanks....

Can I disconnect the battery for 10-30 minutes and see if the CEL stays off? Is that reasonable? Could the severe cold we had here have anyting to do with the CEL staying on? Can I attempt to clear it and then if it comes back on investigate further? Nothing is close to me as far as an Autozone. Thanks....

This morining when I went out to start my 96 Legacy 2.2 with 114,000 miles on it the Check Engine light came and stayed on. It was also the coldest night of the winter last night. The car seems to be driving OK and I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary as far as driveablity goes. With all that being said i know very little about mechanics in general. How can i figure out if I have a serious or just a minor problem. The reason i ask is i am afraid of getting fleeced by the dealership, I would like to attempt to do some self diagnosing before bringing it in to them. Is there anything I can do (that's easy) to fix or diagnose this problem? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks....