I have a 2000 Forester with 129k miles, 5 speed. The headgaskets went bad, I replaced them over two weeks in my spare time after work. I did not remove the engine to do the job. I got the whole thing all back together(following the chiltons service manual instructions) and started the suby up.

 

Immediately the check engine light illuminates and blinks and I checked the codes as follows:

P0500- vehicle speed sensor malfunction

P1540- vehicle speed sensor malfunction 2

P1101- neutral position switch circuit malfunction

P1121- neutral position switch high input

P1100- starter switch circuit malfunction

P1120- starter switch high input

P0136- O2 Sensor circuit malfunction(bank 1 sensor 2)

 

The only weird thing the subaru does is when I turn the key to the accessory, the fans turn off and on, and there is a clicking noise from under the dash. When the engine is started the fans stop. Otherwise the car runs and drives perfectly, I have driven it over 20 miles since the headgasket change.

 

My code reader will not delete the codes either...Any suggestions????

It sounds like you didnt get the intake manifold and related plugs on the right rear of the engine plugged in all the way. Remove each one, and make sure it clicks when it plugs together.

 

Theres a red plug, a grey plug, and 3 on the edge of the bell housing that would amount to this number and types of codes being there. And they definitely wouldn't clear if they are unplugged.

 

If the CEL is blinking stop driving it, that usually means the car is misfiring and its very bad for the engine.

Youi either left something unplugged, not tightly plugged in, or broke a wire or six.

 

With multple codes always look for a common cause.

It sounds like you didnt get the intake manifold and related plugs on the right rear of the engine plugged in all the way. Remove each one, and make sure it clicks when it plugs together.

 

Theres a red plug, a grey plug, and 3 on the edge of the bell housing that would amount to this number and types of codes being there. And they definitely wouldn't clear if they are unplugged.

 

If the CEL is blinking stop driving it, that usually means the car is misfiring and its very bad for the engine.

 

I checked all the connections and can not find one that is not plugged together tightly. Any other ideas? I really don't want to take it to the dealership if I can avoid it.