Speedo stopped.

silver

silver

Forum Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2008
Messages
1,018
Location
Tathra, Far South Coast, NSW
Car Year
2005
Car Model
Forester
Transmission
Manual
Appears I have a problem or two. Coming home from the big smoke today my speedo needle conked out. It's not registering anything on any trip meter and nothing on the odometer. I'm judging speed by the feel of the car and the tacho. Any ideas??
Also....a warning light came on and stayed on about 1/2 hour later. I had to wait till I got home to check my manual and it appears it is the warning light for the emission control stuff. I've never had a warning light on so I was hoping it was not anything too bad as I had 45klms to go and I wasn't stopping!! Last thing I want now is to have to spend heaps on the car when I am a year, at most, to getting rid of it. Bugger.
 
I had the same sort of issue when the speed sensor on the gearbox was dead.

But I also had the "check engine" light, the idle was irregular and the fans were always on.
 
Called in at Subaru Bega and the guy told me it could be any number of things and they will need to plug it into the machine and see what code comes up and track it down. He is booking me for 1hr @$120ph. They don't miss you!!
He did mention it could be any number of things from an oxygen sensor to catalytic convertor. The oxygen sensor would cost over $200 plus fitting but I'm sure this over the top and I have seen them somewhere a lot cheaper than that. Pretty easy to fit aren't they??
Anyway...I will have to grin and bear it until I know what is wrong.
It's idling as rough as guts and almost sounds like there is a hole in the exhaust or similar but I can't find one and I don't reckon that would set off a warning light anyway.
Pain in the bum.
 
Been looking at a bit of stuff and some of the descriptions which match what my car is doing point towards the Mass Airflow Sensor.....and suggesting you can clean them....is this simple?? or is it a matter of spraying throttle body cleaner in the proper place??
 
You can easily check the codes yourself.

Subaru Engine Codes - troublecodes.net

Join the 2 black connectors with ignition off, then with paper ready, turn ignition on, engine off. Long flashes are "10"s and short flashes are "1"s. A long pause means a new code. It will keep repeating the codes, so when if you get the same sequence, you're done. Then just check the code on the list provided, the 5th list - 1988 and later models with Multi-Point Fuel Injection (including Legacy)
 
Speedo - sounds like a gearbox speed sensor to me. This could also produce engine running issues as the ECU doesn't know if the vehicle is moving or not.

If your fans are on all the time it'll be the ECU coolant temp sensor.

Check your Throttle Position Sensor, Engine Knock Sensor too.

I had a hard time starting my engine and had a number of codes showing. Once running and warmed up the idle would settle from a rollercoaster up and down with the down almost stalling at times.
On the road it was clear all the ponies were not home...

I replaced the ECU coolant temp sensor, a second hand TPS, and a new knock sensor to resolve my issues. I was living and working in the snow at the time so I didn't swap out one and check to see if that was the exact one causing my issue - I just replaced them all and enjoyed the fact my issues were gone.

The MAF - you can clean them with carbie cleaner but ultimately the best way to go is to replace it.

All the best with it!

Cheers

Bennie
 
Thanks. I don't know where any of that stuff is and in the end will probably just have to get ripped of by Subaru but I have cancelled the appointment for tomorrow and will see if the ARB mob up here have the equipment to sort it out.
I'm a bit annoyed with the Subaru mob saying 'we will book you for an hour', which I think is uncool. What if they sort the problem in 15mins...I still get charged for 1 hour...you bet I do.
Anyway at some time I will have to get it fixed but will explore the limited options available at the moment.
 
Booked into the local ARB place. $65 to read the codes and advise me what's wrong. A bit more reasonable than Subaru.
 
^ I know what you mean, Silver.

Ross has all the top shelf analysis gear, and he knows his Onions. I have found him to be a better diagnostician for all our cars, whatever make, than the stealership guys! Doesn't say much for the stealership mechanics (sorry - "technicians" ... ).

He does these sort of things on the way past during normal servicing. Probably why he won Bosch service centre and Shell service centre of the year awards for all Oz for all of 2013 ... :iconwink: :cool:.
 
^ No.

I was just referring to the fact that many independent mechanics seem to know a good deal more about cars than those who are employed at stealerships do.
 
I think the prices that dealers charge and get away with show peoples lack of car knowledge. They seem to be totally in a trance when it comes to service options although I do understand the 'trust' component of their thinking...I still buy Subaru filters for example.
I look at it this way...Subaru charge $120ph for their workshops/mechanics. That's $4,800 for a 40 hour week. Not bad money for a full week and would still more than pay the bills at half capacity.
As I said..my beef was that I was told I would be charged 1 hour and not the length of time it would in fact take to diagnose the problem.
I'm hoping that ARB can solve the problem as they are the only ARB store within 150klms or more and there is a lot of ARB stuff I want to get on the Dmax.
 
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