howards11

WOW...that's the first I'm hearing of this. I wonder if SOA customer service would know anything about this problem. ~Howard

I added some fuel system cleaner (I think it might have been Valvoline brand) and the problems have stopped. I'm going to run this tank with the cleaner to almost empty and see what happens. ~Howard

The tweeter on the driver's side it totally GONE. Dead as a door nail. I just took it out and the system sounds just fine to me. Does anyone have tweeters for a 2000 Forester for sale ? Anyone know if these things can be repaired? ~Howard

COUGAR: How much does it cost to replace this sensor ? Would this problem produce a CEL code ? ~Howard

A friend suggested that my problems could be the muffler since they are generating no codes. ~Howard

Air filter last spring. PCV valve and fuel filter both about 2 yrs ago. All my cars are well maintained. ~Howard

Wires were changed with original Subaru. NGK plugs were used. The original plugs were Champion. US plugs in a Japanese care made in Japan. Should I try some fuel injector cleaner or some Seafoam? I think I'm going to pick up 3M Professional Fuel Injector Cleaner and try that. ~Howard

60K I had all the belts changed. Plugs changed about 2 yrs ago. June 2008 the coil pack went. The coil pack was replaced along with the spark plug wires. December 2008 the cat was replaced along with both O2 sensors. Car receives oil change every 3 months or so. ~Howard

The new radio works well except on the driver's side the tweeter keeps cutting in and out. When I pound on the door the tweeter comes back on again. I'm opening up the small panel on Sunday and see what's going on. ~Howard

I am having an engine problem with my 2000 Forester L, AT, 70.2K mi. Once in a while the engine backfires. Not a loud backfire but a muffled one. Also periodically the car hesitates when I start from a light or stop sign. This started a few weeks ago. I thought it was bad gas so I refilled with 93 octane and added a bottle of dry gas. The problem disappeared. I thought that due to the temperature variation around here that I might have picked up some moisture in the system. The other day I refilled with Sunoco 94 octane and the problem is back again. I might have refilled at the same station where I did when the problem first started. Stupid me. Maybe it could be a partly clogged gas filer? There is no active CEL and these problems do not happen all the time. Anyone have suggestions ? This is driving me really nuts. Maybe a partly clogged gas filer? HELP !!!!!!!! ~Howard

Why Subaru for me? Let's see: More bang for the buck. Plus AWD. Would I buy another? In 2010 (God willing) I'm trading in my 2000 Forester L on a newer used Forester. ~Howard

Never in MY car ! ~Howard

The new Pioneer radio is great. Fantastic reception on AM and FM. The CD is neat. It can play MP3's too. The CD player gives you the artist's name, CD name and track name. Plus I have a front input jack (3.5MM) for an MP3 player. Just a very nice unit for the price. Question: Why do they give you a remote? I still haven't figured that out yet. ~Howard

PROBLEM SOLVED: The store I took it to tried a new radio and 95% of the static cleared up. The gentleman from the store told me that he even heard noise from the power windows. Before he tried a new radio he tried some filters on the line and tried a new antenna. Both did nothing to improve the AM. So it looks like the Pioneer was going anyway. The Pioneer has been in the Forester since 2003. The upside is I'm getting an updated version of what was in there. Not bad price wise........$107 + $35 and tax. Cheaper than the old one. That one installed was just about $200. ~Howard

ROOSTER2: Remember Sears isn't really Sears. It's really K-Mart. K-Mart bought Sears and changed the company name to Sears Holdings. ~Howard

ROOSTER2: I was just going to replace the rod. Now I understand that it involves a lot more than I want to tackle. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I'll let everyone know how this turns out. ~Howard

COUGAR: Thank you for the suggestion but I don't have a clue how the radio comes out nor do I wish to try. I'll have to tell you about the time I glued myself to the inside of a toilet. That shows you my mechanical ability. I contacted a local shop. They will pull the radio and try another antenna. The gentleman I spoke with said that it's probably the antenna. He actually knew something so I feel better. If it's not the antenna they will even try another Pioneer unit. I have an appointment on Friday. I have some confidence in this place based on my phone conversation. They charge $35 to pull the radio. ~Howard

OH.........I was just going to try a new antenna. I don't want to try running a new cable to the radio. ~Howard

ROOSTER2: I wonder if I just try another antenna. I saw one at WalMart that might fit. ~Howard

As expected Best Buy did not find a problem with anything. The blamed the AM stations. They also told my wife if there was a problem with the ground the whole radio would shut down. So now I'm going to set up an appointment with another dealer. ~Howard

COUGAR: What you say makes perfect sense to me. Today it rained in Philadelphia. The radio reception was on AM was a lot better because everything was wet and made a better connection. So I'm beginning to believe it's not the radio but a connection. The hard part here in Philly is finding someone to do the work. My mechanic who's done work for me for about 15 years only wanted to pull the radio and send it out for repair. He didn't understand the problem. Like I told you I'm starting with Best Buy first on Wednesday since they did the original instillation. They have a "lifetime" guarantee on their install. But I'm willing to PAY for any work as long as it clears up the problem. I'm not looking for "free". I just want the work done properly. ~Howard

COUGAR: I got my speakers from Crutchfield and the price was fantastic. I checked them out for a new radio just in case. They have stuff that will fit my 2000 Forester plus they have a new service that has local installers. They have an installer near my house. They don't tell you who until you purchase the service but I think I know who it is. The cost to install a new radio would be $60.00. Not too bad if you don't want to tackle the job yourself. ~Howard

COUGAR: Thanks for the insight and information. My antenna is external; it is not in the built into the glass. I have an appointment with Best Buy on Wednesday morning so we'll see what happens then. I'm just hoping that it's like you say. If I need a replacement radio, Best Buy appears to have nothing that fits my car. ~Howard

NOPE....No tinting here. ~Howard

I'm having a problem with my radio on AM only. I'm having problems using AM; local stations come in with a lot of static. Forget about distant stations like some I listen to in NYC. I pick up static from the front windshield washer and from the rear washer too. I also seem to be picking up static from passing cars. Radio is an aftermarket single CD Pioneer which was professionally installed by Best Buy over 5 years ago and has not given me problems until now. FM is fine. Does anyone have a clue on this problem? HELP....................this is driving me nuts! ~Howard