rcoaster

I have a 96 Outback. If there is no keyless entry, then there is no power lock motor in the driver's door. The keyless entry install kit comes with a motor to unlock and lock the driver's door. It is not wired in with the rest of the door lock system, as it is only wired into the keyless entry module. Even the rest of the car door locks are not wired into the keyless entry module. Here's how it all works: Keyless entry module activates the driver's door lock motor, which is attached to the lock lever. There is a switch inside the lock lever on the driver's door that activates the rest of the door lock motors. Since the driver door unlocks and locks, but not the rest, it could mean two things: the lock switch in the driver's door is bad, or you have a blown fuse. Check the fuse first, then check the switch. The double press or hold down won't do any good. In 1997 they changed everything- all doors now have a lock motor, and there is an external lock switch on the panels for the driver and front passenger.

You should see the other goofy procedures used to disable or change options for certain features in the car! I have a partial list of the technical manual for the 2005 Legacy and outback, and after looking over the manual, it appears that the 2005 Legacy/Outback uses a special computer communication network between all the computers in the car to simplify the wiring. I think there are two different "networks" the car uses, one called a "CAN" and the other called a "LAN". I'm not sure what they mean, but I'll have to look at the technical manual again to find out. RC.

Check the thermostat. It has to be a Subaru OEM, and goes in a specific way. I've heard from people here on the board stating that using an aftermarket thermostat would not work, and by going back to a Subaru OEM, solved the problems. Also I've heard from people saying that they inadverntly put the thermostat in wrong was contributing to overheating. If it was the head gasket, then you would have gotten air bubbles in the coolant as the engine ran, or had a sweet smell along with a lot of white smoke coming out of your exhaust.

Uhh.. unless the tow truck had the Subaru's engine running with the fuse installed, it wouldn't be disconnected. It requires electricty and engine vaccum to disengage the clutch pack. As for the owner who let a tow truck tow his/her AWD Subaru with two wheels on the ground instead of requesting for a FLAT BED truck doesn't deserve to own a Subaru!

I got the exact same thing with my 96 Outback last winter. Apparently, the changes in temperature caused the rubber cup on the cap to expand to a point where it was pushing the brake fluid level float down to activate the brake light. I just pushed the rubber cup back into the cap and all was well. If your brake fluid level is normal, then check the rubber cup and if it is extended, just push it back until the bottom is flush with the bottom of the cap.

An ammeter would be best, since it actually tells you if your charging system is working or not, and can warn you of problems that would pop up later. However, I've heard that it's not easy to wire up. But that was back in the 80's, so things might have improved then.

I recently test drove a Legacy GT as part of that "Test Drive a 2005 and get a $25 gift certificate" invitation. I also test drove a 2005 Outback 3.0R sedan as well. I wanted to test drive both of them to get a comparsion between the H6 and the turbo 2.5. Here's what my thoughts are: The Outback 3.0R has excellent power right at the start. The powerband is very smooth, no jerking. If you need to pull out into traffic very quickly, the H6 does the job perfectly. Also, the brakes are so good that it will stop the car on a dime. The Legacy GT (I wanted to drive a Outback XT, but they sold out their automatics and only had the manuals left.) was nice, and the electroluminescent gauges was very cool. However, to get power, you have to "wait for it." When I pulled out of the dealer into traffic, it didn't give me that power. Instead it pulled out very weakly. Once I hit 2700 rpm (I was driving it in SportShift mode) I finally got the power and got going. At least my 96 Outback had a better response from a standstill. This is probably contributed to my car having a K&N air filter, and the ECU had adapted to my driving habits. On the highway, I decided to see how good the response was by mashing the throttle. I kept the car in Sport Mode to prevent a downshift. The GT stumbled and hesitated for a bit then the turbo kicked on and accelerated nicely. On the 3.0R, there was no stumbling or hesitation, just smooth power. It was right there, ready to do my bidding. Here's a run down of the pros and cons, in my opinion between the two cars I test drove: Outback 3.0R- Pros: Excellent engine power, always available. Excellent brakes (stops better than my 96 Outback), more standard features. Cons: Price, available only in a sedan. Legacy GT- Pros: Coolness factor of the gauges, available in a wagon, SportShift controls on steering wheel, Price. Cons: Lower brake performance than the 3.0R, lag in power, behaves like a 2.5 when turbo isn't engaged. While I'm not ready to buy a new car now, it would be a hard decision between the 3.0R and the GT (or the Outback XT). If Subaru came out with a wagon version of the 3.0R, I would definitely go for the 3.0R.

I have true HID bulbs in my car. I lost the high beams, but they are so bright that I don't need high beams at all. You can see what it looks like in my avatar. I bought mine before the new DOT regulation started up, so it will be difficult to find conversion kits today. Another one would be Sylvania SilverStars. -RC!

Basically it controls the brightness of your gauges, radio, and controls. It basically converts the low amperage pentiometer setting in your turn signal stalk to handle the high amperage of the lights. By the way, the high beam flash is separate from the headlight switch. since it appears that you installed a remote start/alarm/keyless entry system, you may have miswired something somewhere.

I know how a turbo works, but exactly when does boost occur in certain situations.. When does the turbo kick in after starting out from a stand still? Does it occur at a certain engine RPM or when the tranny is in a certain gear? Let's say you are cruising at highway speeds, keeping a steady RPM. Is the turbo running at boost, or not? If the turbo doesn't run at steady RPM's, would it kick on when you start climbing a hill to give extra power rather than downshifting an auto tranny? I'm trying to see if there's a difference in power response between a 2.5 Turbo and a 3.0 H6. RCoaster

I was watching a TV show that was showing crash tests on new cars. I saw the Toyota RAV4 and then the Legacy. The end result was that the RAV4 got good marks on both frontal and side impact with it's optional side airbags. The Legacy failed its side impact test on the first try due to the side curtain airbag not fully deploying. Turns out that the side curtain airbag was installed backwards. Subaru corrected this mistake and asked for another try. The second try the side curtian airbag did deploy properly but due to body design, the there was some moderate intrustion into the cabin. The end result was that the person who was broadsided could be seriously hurt. I wonder if the Legacy ever had a good rating on side impact crash tests? Also, there will be a recall on about 157 Legacies (they didn't mention the Outback) for improperly installed side curtain airbags. If you bought a Legacy manufactured before June 1st, 2004, you will get the recall. [edit:] Here's the website that has the information.

I think they did do away with OnStar, which is a GM product. Don't forget, OnStar is a subscription based service and there is the possibility of yourself being monitored, like having a "Big Brother" watching over what you are doing in the car. A GPS navigation system gives you voice and visual feedback throughout your travel, where the OnStar system only connected you to a operator who will give you voice instructions. There's no visual feedback.

Uh.. The 2.5XT (turbo model) doesn't have radio controls on the steering wheel. I beleive the 3.0 models has the radio controls on the steering wheel. If there are only a "+" and "-" button on each side, then it's for the SportShift feature. Maybe that'll explain why your car keeps downshifting everytime you are trying to turn down the volume... However, you are right. I was really disappointed that they didn't offer a nav system when Japan already had them in 2004! And to top it off, many makers are offering MP3 capability in their radios where Subaru didn't. So far, I've seen two makers that offer GPS system. They have a retractable screen. One is made by Pioneer, and the other is by Apline. I'm sure there are more makers that make a head unit that has GPS capabilities. For me personally, I would go with Pioneer, as I have a Pioneer MP3 CD player in my 96 Outback and I love it.

From what I've heard, the nav system won't be available until the 2006 models, or they might come out earlier, like spring 2005. You'll have to measure the opening to see if you can fit an LCD screen in there. I'm still waiting for Subaru to get off their asses and offer a MP3 CD player (or in-dash changer). Other manufacturers are offering them now. Otherwise, I'll have to wait until they come out with a 3 party faceplate so I can put an aftermarket head unit in. My 96 Outback has a Pioneer DEH-7400MP player, which is a MP3 CD player and I can fit up to 12 hours of music on a single CD, and is XM Satellite Radio ready. -RC!

I also know that if the gear selector on an automatic is not in neutral or park, the key won't go into the lock position so you can pull it out. Looks like an signal to the lock cylinder prevents this. Something else to check as well. [edit] Read the original poster's sig, and realized that this car is a manual. So the above wouldn't apply.

Uh.. It's ALREADY out. It's the Outback 2.5XT. The XT is the turbo version with a 250 hp engine, and 250 lbs of torque.

One disappointing thing for me was no navigation system. Call me a tech-geek, but I want my next car to have a navigation system. If Subaru wants to compete with the high-end cars, why leave that out? Almost all the high-end cars have GPS navigation systems, even the Mini Cooper. :-\

Your fans on the radiator isn't working. Could be a bad relay related to the fans. Since the fans don't come on when the A/C is on, then we can count out the temp sensor that kicks them on when the car gets hot. Since your car isn't moving, air isn't moving through the evaporator and the radiator, and that is where the fans come in to move air through the system. When your car is moving, air is flowing through the system and that's why your car's temp is stable and you get cold air.

Actually, Honda doesn't advertise their system as an AWD. They advertise and badge it as "Real-Time 4WD". Like what everyone has been saying, it's a front wheel drive mini-SUV where the rear wheels don't engage until you have the front wheels spinning, and is not a true AWD system. Subaru is one of the better AWD systems out there as all 4 wheels get power at any speed.

Quick correction: the 1996 Outback had no hood scoop. Only the 97-99 models had the scoop. I beleive there's a plate under the hood that can be removed. You might find something under there to remove the scoop, otherwise, you're stuck.

What's more funnier is the excerpt from the story: `Well, it looks like the car's OK,' and then a split second later, `Wait a minute, I'm not supposed to be able to see my car. Where the hell's my garage?"'

Actually, the way you described it isn't the case. The switch acutally activates a relay for the rear wiper motor. This relay could be stuck closed causing the wiper to run continuously. It could also be that the switch at the column is defective. Just simply disconnect the motor.

Recently, I found out that Toyota is releasing the Highlander with a gas/electric hybrid engine. This might be the only AWD SUV with an hybrid engine. With the rising cost of gasoline, this SUV is starting to get my interest. While I love my Subaru, MPG is the only negative factor. Is Subaru coming out with a car with an hybrid engine? The Toyota Highlander has a combined power of 270 HP. They haven't released the MPG figures, but they claim that the Highlander can go up to 600 miles on a single tank of gas. If Subaru did come out with an Outback with an hybrid engine, the Highlander wouldn't even be on my list for my next car! Heck, only the Subaru will be on my list. -RC!

Does the light come on when you open the other doors? If so, then check for ground at the switch. All you have to do is remove the screw, pull the switch out, and disconnect the connector from behind. I beleive the screw itself is the ground for the switch itself.