River19

Can't answer the torque question.........but wanted to add that I just checked my records on the last time my plugs were replaced......12/12/08 111K miles and now almost exactly 2 years and 50K miles later I'm getting the bucking again. So after I do plugs I would have replaced the coil, wires and plugs all within the past 3 months or so, bucking should stop cold. Now if I could just get my dash lights working again........:-\

I just went through months of this issue, to the point where we had bucking, small backfires etc. with our 2003 OB 2.5L Auto.......from my experience you have gotten good advice on here, start with the ignition system. I had the coil replaced as it threw a code on the coil, it kept happening, bucking under acceleration and deceleration from highway speeds down exit ramps (once you tried to get back on the gas it would pop and buck and backfire etc.). Then I replaced the plug wires myself and whammo.......it cured all. Taht fix has lasted about 10K miles and 3 months (yes we drive a lot.....car as 162K on it). The other night it started happening again under load at low rpm like when slogging along at 38-42mph when it doesn't know whether to be in OD or not and slogs along. I'm thinking I should have done the plugs as well when I did wires........I think they have maybe 50-70K on the plugs.......I'll have to check my records. Hopefully that is it.......cheap fix. Of course now I'm leaking a little coolant as I overfilled the damn resevoir the other day...........jackass I am.

Well that can be a quick check by picking up a new bulb........I'll start with that, then play around under the dash for anything loose, while concurrently searching for the ever ellusive "grounding points"..........

Cool. Thanks. I'll mess around with it a little this weekend.......leaving the trucks at home and heading out for one last bird hunt with the dogs in the snow with the OB......the darkened OB......

Miles - If the tow package comes with a hitch receiver, then no we do not have the tow package (I can't imagine what I could tow with the OB anyways ). I'd love to check the grounds, but I don't know where the heck they are or how to locate them.......the location of Subaru grounding wire is also elusive to goggle.......as I have tried for a few days in various searches and haven't found anything concrete........ I assume the open ground issue would be related to a specific grounding location where that circuit is grounded, right? Any ideas where that might be? Thanks

Thanks for the reply. I was suspecting something similar if not a relay. I can't seem to find a straight answer as to where the grounding wires are located on the OB. Shouldn't the primary suspect be the grounding for the brake lights? If so, does anyone know where that point is so I can find it? Thanks

So I'm glad I found this forum, I guess this makes my auto forum roster complete, one for the Tundra, one for the Ford Diesel and now one for the 2003 Subaru Outback........ We have a strange problem going on.........the other day our dash lights went out, everything, speedo, radio, climate etc. Knowing there are multiple bulbs I was suspicious of it being a simple bulb issue. So for a few days we were driving with no dash lights........"no officier, actually I didn't know how fast I was going, can you tell me?".......... Anyways, so it was abotu 15 degrees out the other morning and I decided to use the remote start and fire up the car. I got out and while it is running based on the remote start, all the dash lights are on. I'm thinking "cool, maybe the gemlin fixed itself", but alas that was not to be. I got in, turned the key to the "on" position and as soon as I put my foot on the brake to shift into reverse, they all went out. We have been able to replicate this several times. It feels like a relay or grounding thing to me. Through research I have uncovered some potential areas to check in the "tail and illumination relay" and "illumination control module". Also, I was driving behind the OB and noticed one of our rear red taillights on the corner (not the main brake lights) is out while driving, but illuminates while braking............. Can someone help me figure this out without dealing with the Stealership? Thanks Steve