I picked up the 04 Forester.  Theft, someone stripped out the center dash panel with all the Controls, radio, ....

www.car-part.com and the Subaru Dealer list both an automatic and manual temp control version.

Anyway, to verify?

Cables..... Manual had cables for Temp and Function ( Def, Dash, floor ). Auto had 2 14 or 16 pin connectors as well as motors for Temp and Function. Also blower motor on Manual had blower resistor, The Auto had Blower with speed control electronics on the base of the motor. Also different connectors.

 

Edit... As I think of it, The X model was manual controls, The XS had Auto Controls.

 

I had both ..... long ago

Edited April 6, 20232 yr by Ferret54
Afterthoughts

I've pulled may dashes out of older Subaru's but not an 04 Forester.

I may pull it out at the yard and if it's not too bad just get the complete harness.

Anyone ever pull the dash out of a 2004 Forester?

I’ve never pulled a dash. I think you have access but can you get an 04 FSM?  I’m out of state now but will check. 

there is a copy of the 04 Foz manual at https://jdmfsm.info/Auto/Japan/Subaru/

i own and drive an 04 right now, but have never messed with the dash... also have an 05 parts car

 

 

Manual Controls, two cables one going to each side of the airbox.  

Good News, there are two connectors and a short 12" wire harness.  The connectors are right above the airbag control ECU.  Hard to see but there.

Subaru parts told me 03 - 08 used the same heater control unit.  I pulled one out of an 06 today.  We'lll see!

I got the harness plugged in today.  Everything works but the radio.

The radio will power up, for a minute or so the speakers work but then the speakers go dead?

I could not find any aftermarket componets under the seat.  I tried several radios, they all do the same thing.

There are 4 wires coming off the large white plug that I believe go to the cigarette lighter.  Black, purple, orange/white, yellow/black.

The harness was off a 2006.  The Forester  is a 2004, but Subaru told me they use the same panels.

Off to the yard Wed!

Any thoughts?

I remember a 98 Legacy a Kid had put in a radio.  All the dash lights were out.

Turns out they tapped into the wrong power source.  12V is not always 12V.

I'll get a 2004 harness this week.

 

Aftermarket speakers.  Drivers' door, one of the spade terminals was broken off the mount, I guess grounding out the speaker system.