2000 Outback limited, 2.5 auto wagon. I took the cat to Autozone and this code came up along with two others they wouldn't give me (or couldn't he didn't make a distinction) other than telling me the dealer would have to look at the car and mentioning something about a vacuum leak.

 

OBD 2 code p0468 " The PCM has determined that the voltage signal from the evap purge flow sensor is too high for the current engine operating conditions." I have a Haynes manual and this code is not addressed.

 

The car is my girlfriend's (we both have the same car) and she is getting about 270 miles per tank, whereas she is used to getting closer to 350 or more from 12 to 14 gallons.

 

Any help you guys can offer me would be great. I'm no mechanic, but since I am layed off from work I have the time to try and fix this myself.

 

Thanks!

~J

Purge flow sensor has malfunctioned.

 

Can you go to another autozone or someplace else that reads codes for free?

 

 

nipper

PS how many miles on the car?

122,000 miles. They read the code for free, but I suspect it was a subaru-specific code.

~J

Well we do have all the codes

 

 

nipper

a code is a code. i have a basic OBDII scanner and there's no problem reading codes with it for the CEL. most likely they were just confused about something (happens often).

 

this is a rare one for me so i'm not sure. my guess is a hose is leaking, the sensor is dirty or the solenoid needs replaced. fairly common for those to fail, stick, or get damaged when doing some other work.

 

i can say with a high degree of confidence this could be fixed for only a few dollars but finding the cause will be the tricky part.

 

hopefully the smart folks will chime in for ya.

As far as a vacuum leak goes, a coworker once told me to use starter fluid to spray the hoses while the motor idled and when the motor revved, then I found the leak. Not sure if that works (I never tried it).

 

I figured they just didn't want any responsibility, so refered me to the dealer.

~J

yes, that method you described works very well for engine vacuum leaks. the engine immediately responds with a squirt of fluid. takes about 1 minute including popping the hood.

Ok, thank you, guys! I will try to remember to post my results for future people. I feel bad because I usually only get on here when I have a problem...

~J