rodsherrill

Yes, it is tight, thanks for the suggestion.

Thanks for the information. Don't have a Auto Zone close by, will check with the local parts stores and see if one of them do it.

2000 outback 2.5 engine. The check engine light is on, it will come on for several days and then go out for several days, no noticeble change in car performance. Is the only way to retrieve the malfunction code is by using a code reader? Is there a way to put the computer in a primitve diagnostic code retrival mode that will cause a light to blink a certain number of times that can be referenced to code table with a list of malfunctions? Thanks

I am not sure if all those high priced plugs give you that much more in long life or reliable engine operation. I have never changed the plugs in my OBW with 65,000 miles. The car I owned before the Outback was a 92 Chevy Suburban, at about 110,000 miles it failed it's 2 year emission check, the engie was running fine. The emission tester person suggested replacing the spark plugs with 110,000 miles on them. I bought a set of standard AC plugs and installed them. The original AC plugs I removed were most likely just standard electrodes, no fancy materials like platinum. The condition of these plugs with 110,000 miles were very good, no carbon build up or erosion, they all had the correct gray color to them. With the new AC plugs the car still failed the emission test and ran the same as with the original plugs. The car passed the emission test after the oxygen sensor was replaced. One thing I have noticed about the Subaru is that the engine RPM's on average run higher than a Chevy Suburban, this may warrant replacing them more often but my experience with the Suburban plugs does not convince me the higher priced plugs give you that much more value. $50 dollars for a set of 4 plugs does seem high priced, what kind of materials are in these plugs that make them cost that much?

I have done some looking for the source of this clicking sound and have determined it is coming from a solenoid under the steering column. The function of this device is to prevent the ignition key from going to the off position until the transmissin shift lever is in park. The wires to this solenoid have a connector that can be disconnected. I have disconnected the solenoid and now there is no more clicking. The trade off is the ignition key can be turned to the full off position and the key removed without going to park. This solenoid must be controlled by a position switch in the transmission lever assembly. My switch must be intermittent or there is a bad connection in the wiring. Can anyone help me with where this control switch is located. Access from inside or under neath the car. Has anyone had to deal with problems of this or other switches associated with the tranmission shift lever? Thanks

Thanks for the reply and to all the others that replied. The switch on top of the steering column was on. Once you and several others replied with the same answer my memory was refreshed and I do remember the car saleman telling me about this switch. I just never use it and forget it is there. I must have turned it on while cleaning the instrument panel.

My 2000 Outback Wagon running lights (tail lights and front parking) stay on even when the light switch is in the off position and the ignition switch is in the off position. Until this is fixed I have to pull the running lights fuse to turn them off. Maybe a switch of relay has failed? I have no wiring diagram for the car. Can anyone help me with some ideas of what the problem would be. Thanks.

It does it while it cold and moving, also does it while its hot and moving in the summer. No whirring, I don't think it's a speedometer. Thanks for the reply.

Sounds like your legacy does the same thing as my outback. Hopefully some one will reply with help on how to fix it.

It is not a crackling sound of like gravel hitting the windshield. It does seem to be related to vibration. Rough road surfaces usually make the sound more active. I suspect there is a bad connection at an electrical connector or dirty switch contacts somewhere. I'm hoping someone has fixed a problem similar to this, reads this message and explains how to fix the problem.

2000 Outback Wagon with auto transmission. Makes random clicking sound behind instrument panel. I'm almost certain it is a relay picking up and dropping out. The sound is identical to what is heard when the transmission is shifted out of park but it does it at random while driving. Does not do this while stopped, only when in motion. Happens at any speed. The check engine light has never came on, the engine runs fine and transmission shifts normal. Does not affect car operation in any way the noise just gets annoying at times. Thought maybe someone else has had this problem and knows the cause.