badjer

Ok, thanks for all the advice- It seems to me the easiest thing would be to use the crutchfield adapter and the car harness to supply the ground, power (switched and unswitched) etc to the head unit, and then take the speaker outs off the head unit and just run new wires to the speakers. I would probably be done by now if I had gone ahead and done that right away! Anyway, any tips/suggestions and best methods for running new wires to the speakers? Is one route to the back speakers better than another? Thanks again! badjer

I guess that is my point- I would guess the old head unit has a short IN it where the front speakers dont always make sound. I think the wires are fine,but the head unit isnt. What I am wondering is if it is possible the wiring harness in my car is different somehow, is there another amp or something someplace that that makes it so even another Subaru head unit (from a newer WRX) and the crutchfield diagrams dont apply to this car for some reason even though the harnesses plug right into the car harness? If so.. how does one figure out how to get it wired correctly- or is it something that a car stereo shop can do easily? thanks for all the input badjer

Hi again Thanks for your input- I will try to figure out today if there are shorts in the speaker wires. I am still wondering though- if its shorts in the wires, why do the rear ones work just fine with the original unit, but not a peep with either of the newer units- shouldnt they have worked just fine on the rear speakers too? - am I missing something? thanks again badjer

So how do I determine which 2 wires are going to a single speaker? Do I use the crutchfield guide? thanks for your input. Also, could I find the same thing out just by touching the wires to a little 9 volt battery and getting static? thanks badjer

Hi all, I am having a time replacing the factory standard stereo in my 96 outback. It is the dual size one with the tape deck and CD changer under the passenger seat. It works fine except for the front speakers only come on if the head unit is hot enough- as in baked in the sun hot. The AC cools it down and the front speakers quit. So, to make a long story only medium long, a few years ago I bought from someone on the board an in dash CD changer out of a WRX- it should have been a straight plug and play switch from what I had been told and by looking at the wiring harness diagrams. It didnt make any sound. Turned on, tuned, switched CDs and said it was playing them, just no sound. I figured the amp was bad so back in went the original unit. This week I took the plunge again, and ordered a head unit from Crutchfield. It came in all its glory with directions, wiring harness, and even a dash pocket. Wired it up per instructions, plugged it in, and POOF! worked great, except for no sound. Their technical support tried a little while (check the fuses, are the speakers connected, blah blah blah), but eventually the guy told me I probably needed to 'reset' the unit which involved unplugging it for 15 minutes and if that didnt help to call tech support back. (I figure his break was coming up about then...). Of course the reset did not help. I wondered if perhaps the speakers werent paired as indicated by the wiring diagrams, So I undid all the wiring between the reciever back and the complimentary crutchfield harness, and began systematically pairing the speakerwires. 1 combination did lead to music coming from the left front speaker, but nothing else did anything useful. I am sure I tried all the combinations possible except those involving the power antenna wire, switched and unswitched power, and the ground. So, any thoughts as to why my particular Baru is not cooperating with the stereo wiring? Any suggestions? hope this made sense- thanks for your input!

It had a loud whine under acceleration, and rattled/knocked when it was out of gear and clutch was out. My mechanic (whom I have trusted so far) said it might as well be replaced while the clutch/timing belt/water pump was being done since the labor would be about the same either way. badjer

Hi All again About 3 weeks ago I went ahead and had my 96 Outback (2.2l, 5 spd mt, 193k) worked on and got a new clutch, 'new' transmission from a local place my shop talked to, timing belt, water pump, etc done at a local mechanic. Now I notice on tight, slow turns that the car does not roll freely and needs a little extra gas. Is this the dreaded torque bind in action? The car did not do this before, so is this a problem coming from the new transmission or did something get damagage/rearranged during all the work that was done? What is my next step.. live with it or take it back? thanks badjer

The VIN is: 4S3BK4352X6300471 thanks in advance! badjer

I have had the car since it had 85k miles, and I have had all the maintenance done- apparently the tranny maintenance wasnt enough though! In my mind I know the 2k is a good investment as there is nothing else wrong with the car... boots and CVs are fine, AC is fine, no rust, interior is good, power steering if fine, and it has the invincible 2.2l engine. Burns no oil, and still gets 25 mpg no matter what... its just the 2k that gets me... usually I buy cars that cost 3k! ha ha ha. Thanks for the response! badjer

Ok, my beloved Baru (96 outback, 5 spd manual, 191k) has reached the milestone of its first significant problem. The tranny has developed a persistant whine and my mechanic says its days are numbered. The estimate is for about $2000 to put in a rebuilt tranny, new clutch (its still on the original one), and replace the timing belt and water pump. I know it is a reasonable deal, but I have NEVER put 2000 dollars into a car with 191k. I am wondering if, and need reassurance that this is a good investment, and that the 2k would not be better spent putting toward a different car? any thoughts and opinions are welcome.. as are suggestions for a source of a different tranny! thanks badjer

I have a yakima rack with a variety of kayak saddles on my 96 outback. The mileage is the same with or without the racks on- fairings probably wouldnt make the mileage improve over no racks. Believe it or not, the kayaks on the rack dont seem to affect gas mileage either! My Saab was much quieter with the thule fairing on, although it didnt seem to affect mileage on that either. So, I vote for the fairings not for mileage, but for silence! badjer

thanks for the reply.. that is what I was hoping for.. so the clutch job should be the cure! It truly is amazing how this car has been nearly maintenance free other than fluid changes. Timing belt and water pump at 95k. CV joints and brakes at 145k. Its time for the timing belt and new clutch, but at 191k miles.. its a joy to keep this car! thanks ! badjer

Hi all, My 96 Outback, (2.2l 5 spd, 191k miles) has developed a noticeable mechanical whine when under load. Is this related to the rattling noise that started about 1000 miles ago when the car is in neutral, clutch is out? The rattling goes away when I put the clutch in, then comes back when the clutch is let out. Since it is the original clutch, I figure its about time for a new one , but I guess what I would like to know is if the 2 noises are related and will both disappear with the new clutch? Thanks! badjer

polish with what?? thanks badjer

Well, I tried just now some prestone brake fluid (dot 3) that I had on the shelf. It seemed to be taking off a layer of roughness with some elbow grease, but now the lenses appear to be cloudy... any suggestions here? (96 outback 5 spd... 175k) thanks badjer

I would go with plugs and wires... mine needed new plugs and wires at 80k... then again at 160k, so at least it is consistent! Of course, if i kept up on things better..... badjer

The 96 outback with a 5 spd has the 2.2l engine with no head gasket issues (or any other I have found). I have a 96 5spd with 170k on it and it seems pretty bulletproof. I would probably pay 5k for another though! Mine has been the most reliable, cheapest car to maintain I have ever owned. All I have done are brakes, water pump, timing belt and CV joints. I bought mine at 84k for $8000, and that was about 3 yrs ago. hope this helps. badjer

I second that request!! I figured it was a wire in the door that had become frayed or something over time, but is there a better answer to this problem?? someone.. help! badjer

I asked a similar question a week or so ago. You might want to read through the responses I got in this thread http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=14366 I went with 4 new tires, although mine had 60k on them they still had quite a bit of tread left. badjer

Hi all, I am afraid I know the answer here, but just wanted to be sure. My 96 Outback (5 spd manual) came home tonight with a roofing nail near the sidewall of the passenger rear and the shop said it couldnt be repaired. Since it was closing time, I sprung for 2 new tires on the rear since I knew they needed to be the same size, but figure I would probably be back for 2 more on the front. They said the damaged tire still had 55% of the tread left-- Is this close enough to new that the size difference wont matter between the rear and fronts?? or do I just spring for new tires on the front too?? thanks badjer

it had hesitated a couple of times when cold in the past (below freezing), but ran fine warm. Now its warm and the hesitation got noticeably worse. badjer

ooops.. accelerations. I hate looking illiterate! badjer

Howdy all, I have a 96 Outback (2.2l, 5 spd) that is hesitating or surging on anything more than a mild accelerations. Are there any easy things I can do (plugs, fuel filter, air filter) that will probably take care of this or is it due for some more expert adjustments at 158k? Its in great shape other than the past week of hesitating when asked to zoom! thanks in advance! badjer

Hi all, It appears the amplifier in my factory stereo unit is on the way out (absolutely no sound from the front speakers.... relatively new speakers). Whats the best approach on replacing this? Are there aftermarket units that can also operate the factory CD changer? Is finding a factory unit the best way to go? What have others done to replace the factory unit? thanks in advance! badjer

Hi all, I need new front speakers for my 96 Outback and have a few questions: What size are they? 6.5? any recommendations or favorites? and finally, does the whole door panel need to come off or is there a better way to do the replacement?? thanks! badjer