1998 Forester replaced engine with similar 2.5 dual cam. Now the parking lights stay on, related? I unplugged the multi function head light, turn signal, dimmer switch on the left of steering wheel but lights still on. Any suggestions for where to look next. I have been disconnecting the battery if left for more than a day, but that gets old. Also have a stumbling idle and sometime it dies when waiting for a light. Fuel filters? Injectors? spark plugs? The plugs on this motor are a pain to get to.

Parking lights are most likely on because somebody...  accidentally hit the virgin switch on top of the steering wheel...  Small flipper switch , if you see the red line  its on.

NGK spark plugs and NGK plug wires, New air filter, new fuel filter. Any codes on the ecm?   check engine light on ? All the tune up parts  can be found cheaply at rock auto.  

Yes it was the switch on the steering wheel. Thank you. I have lived this problem before but forgot this subaru quark. Will work on the idle next. No codes or check engine light on, which seems weird. Usually any hic up and that flipping light goes off, but not now. Maybe I should be happy with that.

On a second gen outback with the 2.5 sohc motor, you remove the washer fluid tank on the drivers side and part of the air intake on the pass side. to access the spark plugs .Not sure if forester is the same. Is your 98 A  2.5 4 cam motor? You called it a dual cam...  Not even sure if they put the 4 cam motor in the forester lineup. 

On a second gen outback with the 2.5 sohc motor, you remove the washer fluid tank on the drivers side and part of the air intake on the pass side. to access the spark plugs .Not sure if forester is the same. Is your 98 A  2.5 4 cam motor? You called it a dual cam...  Not even sure if they put the 4 cam motor in the forester lineup. 

 

Yes his 98 has the DOHC 2.5 (EJ25D)

 

Should have replaced it with a 2.2 but anyhow....

 

My guess is the spark plugs and/or there is an air leak between MAF and throttle.

I have 98 forester and found it easier to replace plugs from under car,however I have since installed 2.2 engine with nice easy plugs on top.

Yes it was the switch on the steering wheel. Thank you. I have lived this problem before but forgot this subaru quark. Will work on the idle next. No codes or check engine light on, which seems weird. Usually any hic up and that flipping light goes off, but not now. Maybe I should be happy with that.

Subaru techs refer to this as the battery kill switch     as it kills many a battery!