96 obw 200k bought the car really cheep needed head gaskets both sides. when i bought the car the light was on. to change the gaskets with the engine in the car seemed to be more difficult than pulling the engine. to make a long story short i rebuilt the motor since it was out (anyone have questions be glad to help it was the 2.5) when i put the motor back in the light was out but soon after it came on again. how do i get it to turn off?

96 obw 200k bought the car really cheep needed head gaskets both sides. when i bought the car the light was on. to change the gaskets with the engine in the car seemed to be more difficult than pulling the engine. to make a long story short i rebuilt the motor since it was out (anyone have questions be glad to help it was the 2.5) when i put the motor back in the light was out but soon after it came on again. how do i get it to turn off?

 

The light only goes on when it senses a problem. If the problem goes away the light goes off with no resetting required. So, if the light is on there is a problem. Best thing to do is stop by a Major Autoparts store like AutoZone and have them read the code. They should be able to do it for free.

I think you may have to clear the codes. I cleared mine and it has stayed out, but perhaps it would have cleared eventually. Anybody know for sure?

I had a similar problem. Mine went away and I am not sure why! Starting point is read the codes using OBD II scanner from Autozone...

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=27635

Battery dance it, maybe it won't come back.

Battery dance it, maybe it won't come back.

That means disconnect the battery for at least a half hour (overnight should do fine. . .)

You can try to get rid of it - but the car is trying to tell you something - better listen to it. I get rid of it AFTER first reading what it is trying to tell me. If it comes back again, you know you need to do something.

...or you could simply ignore it...Mine has been on now for over 6 months. Car runs fine.

Light should clear on its own, and with OBD II, memory of code(s) will clear after 40 warmup cycles. However, this is true ONLY IF the problem has been corrected.

 

A scantool can clear the light.

thanks, the battery thing doesnt work, i was told that even though the problem is fixed the code is in the computer untill it is earased. i could care less about the light on but in NY 96 and newer cars are plugged into a computer and the then the DMV can pass or fail the car and with the light on it wont pass

No wonder mine did not clear. I doubt I would ever have the patience to wait 40 warmup cycles.

Just use the scan tool to erase it.