Changed the clutch cable in my 98 outback sport. While under the dash I noticed a couple wires disconnected so I did what I thought made sense and connected them. Then things got crazy. Check engine light started flashing, pulled 8 codes and was wigging out. So I disconnected it and all is well but anyone know what these are for? Different model?

These green connectors are meant to be disconnected for normal use.

 

When connected, the ECU goes into a diagnostic mode, and various components (eg fans) are tested, and various warning lights are activated.

 

IIRC, the ignition should be OFF when connecting the two green connectors. Then with the ignition in the ACC (or is it RUN position?), the diagnostics are activated. Don't try to start the engine with the two green connectors connected.

Right they're for diagnostics and should normally be unhooked. It does happen though, 'self, these connectors look like they should be plugged in, they must have come unplugged somehow', and then odd things start happening.

Hahahaha oh! So glad they're not supposed to be connected haha

Right on, there was a funny story sometime posted years back. He said he had just gotten the car and took his wife to the grocery store. He was supposed to pull the car up when she came out after shopping. He was looking for something to do while she was shopping so he started looking around the car since he had just gotten it. He saw those connectors and thought 'self those should be plugged in'. Then when the wife came out and he started the car it was doing all kinds of weird things. So basically he got in trouble because he somehow managed to break the car while she was shopping. 

Edited June 19, 20169 yr by porcupine73

Can anyone tell me if I can test the Egr valve operation by connecting the green connectors and putting in cycle mode

Don't know myself. You can put a voltmeter on the leads and check.

Unlikely. Fsm should have the test procedure for all of those sort of parts.