Hey all. My wife took her subaru on a trip to pittsburgh from Cincinnati. On her way back today from pitts, the check engine light went on. She said nothing felt different or and nothing out of the ordinary happened. While I do know there is a small oil leak (probably the rear seal and/or the oil pan gasket), the oil level is fine.

 

Obviously I realize it *could* be a million things. But I was curious if it *could* also be a timed message based on her mileage (around 78k or so). Do the cars to that based on possible service intervals? Or is that not even a possibility. Just checking.

 

Thanks!

 

1999 Subaru Legacy Wagon

If it is the Check Engine light, then no, that light is mostly reserved for emissions related diagnostics.

 

If it is a Maintenance Required light, or Service Soon light then yes that's probably a timed light which can usually be reset pretty easy.

 

More than likely it is the CEL and its an Evap system or EGR related code. Or maybe even a MAP sensor code if it occurred within the first 30 miles or so, or 15 - 20 minutes after resuming driving after a pit stop.

 

Take it to your local parts store and they should be happy to scan the car for free and read the code. Write it down and post it here and we can tell you if it's serious. It's probably not since you say the car still ran just fine.

If she stopped for gas, check that the gas cap is tight. That will give you a CEL.

 

If it is a Maintenance Required light, or Service Soon light then yes that's probably a timed light which can usually be reset pretty easy.

 

 

 

not on a 1999 subaru

'99 could be knock sensor but the code will tell you for sure.

 

If its a leak from the back of the engine it could also be the Oil Separator Baffle (needs engine or trans removal to fix).

 

Photo courtesy of Porcupine73:

 

not on a 1999 subaru

 

Not easy to reset? Or it doesn't have either?

Not easy to reset? Or it doesn't have either?

 

there are no timed cel's in 90 - 99 subarus. probably none in any. if the cel is on there is or was a fault.

 

go to a parts store and have it read.

there are no timed cel's in 90 - 99 subarus. Probably none in any. If the cel is on there is or was a fault.

 

Go to a parts store and have it read.

 

+1

We can't even guess what it is without having the code read.

 

 

nipper

We can't even guess what it is without having the code read.

nipper

 

i can guess, is it a code 666??

 

that's the one that flashed on the bridge of the starship enterprise just before they passed through the nebula into the alternate universe that had the evil spock with the gotee.