'03 Subaru Legacy Wagon LX

approx. 100k miles

check engine light has been on

now abs light came on recently

together they flash periodically

*check engine light came on this July due to o2 sensors, I had the sensors replaced, light came back on. Mechanic said that the sensors worked but the problem was that electrical or the computer malfunctioning???

 

Has anyone else had o2 heating sensors code came up on the reading and replace them and the engine light came back on?

 

Additional info:

The code coming up is P030, and I was told that is for my o2 sensors and a history code. Another interesting observation I made while driving is when I turn on the blinker the lights for the check engine and abs start to flash in sync with the blinker rhythm BUT then when I turn off the blinker the lights all stop flashing. The lights flash periodically on their own still but I felt like that was odd to be able control the flashing with the blinker. do you have any idea what that could be linked with?? Does it sound all electrical and like the lights might be bogus?? I was also advice to go to a subaru dealership and get a more advanced diagnostic ran??

Could it be something more then the sensors?

has anyone experienced abs and check engine lights to flash together?

Anyone else have there abs light on?

any feed back will help greatly!!! thanks

Edited November 22, 200916 yr by angelajoy
more info gathered

ABS problems are always fun. Unfortunately there's not much way to scan them unless you go to a dealer or find someone with a scan tool capable of checking ABS systems.

You can do some visual checks. Make sure the brake fluid is topped off, and make sure the wiring to the wheel speed sensors isn't cut or crimped.

It might also be a good idea to have the battery and alternator tested. Sometimes Low voltage can set off various lights and cause general disarray with the electronic components in the car.

 

Get the CEL codes read and post the code numbers here.

Most parts stores will scan a CEL for free, and they can also test the battery and alternator while you're there.

The code coming up is P030, and I was told that is for my o2 sensors and a history code. Another interesting observation I made while driving is when I turn on the blinker the lights for the check engine and abs start to flash in sync with the blinker rhythm BUT then when I turn off the blinker the lights all stop flashing. The lights flash periodically on their own still but I felt like that was odd to be able control the flashing with the blinker. do you have any idea what that could be linked with?? Does it sound all electrical and like the lights might be bogus?? I was also advice to go to a subaru dealership and get a more advanced diagnostic ran??

Check your altinator output. It sounds like you have a blown diode causing a backfeed.

 

ABS codes arent that hard to pull or decipher, but first check that alt. A screwy alt can throw everything else off.

 

 

nipper

P030 is an incomplete code. There should be four numbers following the P. But since it was a history code it's probably not related to the current issue.

 

Any lights blinking in tandem with the turn signal indicators throw up a red flag as a possible short.

So I should get my alternator tested. Then what is this mean about a short?? I also need to drive across country here in a week, my car's performance has not changed since these lights but they do make me nervous. I have driven almost 2,000 miles since the lights came on. thank you for everything.

sounds to me like two different and unrelated issues. it is VERY common for O2 sensors to be problematic like that. they are just plain annoying and there's no easy way around it. Subaru even has an extensive and annoyiing flow test/monitoring set up to figure out this debacle. it's not just Subaru, a lot of newer cars have these O2 sensor issues, i think mostly due to emissions requirements and such making tight limits.

 

i suggest reading through some existing threads about that, it's a complicated and annoying issue. the quick fix i believe is to install a spark plug non-fouler into the O2 sensor hole then thread your o2 sensor into that. but i'm sure you have no idea what that means, some reading will help. taking it into the shop will end up them replacing your converters and exhaust and other stuff without resolve, really annoying being hundreds into this issue with no result.

 

ABS code - i'd have the codes read. it's not hard to do yourself, all the information is already on this site. i found it and did it myself the first time i had to do it based on everything i found here at USMB. get the code and let us know what it is. it could be just a dirty or corroded sensor (they are just magnets, very simple). of course there's other things it could be too, but not much point in guessing when the code might tell you exactly what's going on. the light tells you that it's got a stored code and is telling you something.

So I should get my alternator tested. Then what is this mean about a short?? I also need to drive across country here in a week, my car's performance has not changed since these lights but they do make me nervous. I have driven almost 2,000 miles since the lights came on. thank you for everything.

 

 

Get your car checked out. Have the alt and bettery tested with an analog tester (looks like a big silver cheese greater with two jumper cables attached).

 

This will be the baseline.

 

Any ABS issues can just stay that, an ABS issue. You can drive with it with no problems, but you may not have cruise control. The O2 sensor can be teh same thing, but as everything is electrical, best to have what supplies the electricty checked first.

 

The short can be (and usually is) a dual filament bulb that is internally shorted.

 

 

nipper

ABS code - i'd have the codes read. it's not hard to do yourself, all the information is already on this site. i found it and did it myself the first time i had to do it based on everything i found here at USMB.

 

Did not know this, therefore I swallow my words about needing sophisticated equipment to scan the ABS system.

Did not know this, therefore I swallow my words about needing sophisticated equipment to scan the ABS system.

 

Not for a subaru

 

 

nipper

Did not know this, therefore I swallow my words about needing sophisticated equipment to scan the ABS system.

oh right on i didn't even see your comments on ABS. it's very simple actually, just have to find the info or have the FSM.