BlueSoob

grrr.. same thing happened to me in my 03 Forester.. FIRST TRIP to Wyoming... came back and it had paint missing on the hood AND on the grill.

Is it different on the 99s? All I have to do to make the lights flash on my 03 Forester is hold both the lock and unlock buttons down at the same time for a few seconds and the honk turns off. And any further locking or unlocking is noted by the lights flashing. Try that. Otherwise find a subaru parts place and they may have a way to upgrade that to a more current subaru system.

A "Flashing" Check Engine Light? Wouldn't you rather have it flash you to draw attention to its headlights than not get to see it at all?

Hey! If you find the reason, let me know. I had a 1993 Legacy and around the time it hit 180,000 miles it did this funny little flash dance as well. First time it came on, I was like "CRAP!" I pulled over and let the car run for a couple of mins. It didn't go away. Oddly enough, when I figured I would just drive it the 5 blocks back to my apartment, when I turned the corner, it went off. I restarted the car and it wasn't there. Next time it came on I was cookin down I-5. I pulled off at the next exit and it went off as soon as I hit the stoplight. *grumble* Next time was on a highway in Colorado.. No rhyme or reason -no apparent distress. I thought for sure it was an electrical glitch. I didn't want to mess with it for sure! After another 4000 miles, I dumped the car (at 198,000) and bought a new one... that seems to cause me more trips to the dealership than the Legacy did. *curious*

Again, I'll have to make the comment I did last time about the emissions problems... Let me register it in Whatcom County - all you have to do is put my name on the title/registration and all you have to do is make sure the car is paid for and that you sign the car to me. Simple. Problem Solved. Do you think it could be fixed by that "Pass Emissions" goo that you pour in?

I will have to play the engine break in theory here. After purchasing a 2003 Forester (non-turbo of course), I CHANGED THE OIL EARLY (Check the owners manual - 3000 miles) I don't care if they said 7500 at the dealership (they lied! to me... but knowing better, I followed my instincts and changed it.) Then at my 12k I switched to Synth. Get the little blue guy off to a good start. Grow up healthy and strong. :-p I have been doing the 5000 intervals after that. Choose to ignore the 7500 intervals and go 3-5000 miles

I think it adds a nice touch to the Baja... Kinda takes your attention away from all the Tupperware around the bottom.

Make good time eh? Careful of Idaho... they seem to want your head.

I doubt its the remote... since you had to flip the switch inside the car manually, I'm wondering if perhaps something in the linkage broke loose or there might be a loose wire to the control. I know I don't sound educated on subaru parts.. (haha -I'm a girl for cripes sake!) But flipping the switch manually repeatedly in my 88 messed up the linkage in the door. (off came the door panel and with the help of a little duct tape and luck I got it fixed) I know I didn't have a keyless remote but like I said, I would dare to say its in the door. I haven't torn into a newer car so I couldn't give you a diagram.

Don't worry.. You can't control everything. The elevation sucks power and mileage. Its not completely your fault. Move to the Northwest... away from the salt.. away from the elevation... away from the missionaries.. ops! (No offense to anyone of or in the predominant religion of the Salt Lake Valley) Maybe I just had/have sensitive Subarus. My 88 GL did ok on regular (85) but had a bit more power on 87. It also was picky about the kind of gas. Sure it would take the Maverick gas and the Chevron but didn't seem to care AT ALL for Sinclair or Flying J. As long was I understood him, he did ok. (still topped Parleys at 50 mph -darn automatics) I haven't tried Parleys in my 03 yet. Buy again, my auto. Legacy... uggg.. couldn't get it to top at faster than 60/65. I usually had a load full but oh well. Check out the higher octane it couldn't hurt.

Just remember.. you live in Utah. Lots of evil things happen in Utah.... Also I have found with my trips back and forth to Wyoming... I have found that octane levels differ with places... I was tricked into 85 instead of the regular 87... BBAAAADDD idea. Ping + Ping + Ping = 24 mpg instead of my 28-30. Also, driving Parley's canyon from Salt Lake to Park City does nothing for mileage... guess it comes down to the driving style.

I'm glad to see that other people found increased mileage with synthetic. I changed mine to Synth at 12,000 as was recommended by my mechanic. (Mobile 1) I've also stopped with the 3000 mile oil changes and gone to 5000. (not yet the 7500 that the owners manual says-- eeep no way!) I've heard horror stories of switching at high miles but I couldn't give you an answer either way. I figured with the increased gas mileage and the 3-5000 mile oil changes the synth. pays for itself. What could make you feel better than using a more organic lubricant? I'm still hesitant to do the Amsoil stuff.....Dunno why... guess I haven't heard of that many people using it yet.... I'm learning though.

I purchased a 2003 Forester 5spd and in the first week this happened to me. We named the car Zippy but due to that little A/C button in the middle of the console, the button was renamed the snail button. By hitting this button it makes me feel like I'm back in my 88' GL Wagon again. I have found tis nothing but the compressor kicking off and on - making a 'lurch' in power -esp noticable around town or when accelerating. The only thing i have found when it is cold is that it seems more noticable and I can hear it louder when it kicks on. Resetting the ECU does not help. I've already had a computer failure at 30,000 miles - and having that all reset does not fix the problem. I've experienced the same thing on my 88 GL, my 93 Legacy and even the 03 Forester. If it bothers you that much, roll down the windows for air. It may even help with your gas mileage! Just my 2 cents.:wave:

garage shop in evanston? UG?! Who is that? I don't know anyone with any cool shops in Evanston. I lived there for 18-19 years. Is he new? I cringe when I think of how barren and naked Wyoming is.. especially from Rawlins to Casper.. PLECK!

HAHAHA I can't believe the people! I'm from Evanston WY. Known by any other name as the place to get beer and fireworks! Kids in the Northwest from WY: If you plan you head to WY, we should hook up and drive together.... since we all know the way of I-80. There are some beautiful places around Jackson and Afton as I have driven through there frequently. Count me in if there comes a time and place.

As a FORMER Spokane resident, I would crawl over the mountains for you. I know that there are several others in the area there.. couple in Spokane and several in North and South Western Idaho.

Or else you could just register the car to me! (haha) in Whatcom County where there are no emissions tests! It would pass the non-inspection and I would have a brat. We both win! Pardon me... I think I'm funny and I'm really not. amanda

When I first purchased my forester last year I ran about 28 in town and 32-33 hwy. Now I am down to 27-28 mpg in town and 30 hwy. Thats running it 65-80 mph. Never had worse than 24mpg mixed hwy/city. :cool:

Have you found a roommate solution yet?

*jealous* Which brings me to another decision... vacation or parts.. vacation or parts... doh!

What about other parts??? Even for newer Subies??? Please please?

I'm going to have to throw in a few cent here, since the discussion has come down to the pros/cons of MT vs AT. Though I have to admit to being a seasoned Auto driver and only a fresh 5spd driver. I learned this past winter that the Manual 4wd and the control of the gear shift allowed me to drive and stop safely on two flat tires on sheet ice on the freeway. I will also proudly brag that I received commendation from the Oregon State Patrol for the control that I had over my car and the skill that I exhibited at pulling it over. This was as we sat at the bottom of a hill watching people fly off into the snow fences. The difference in the "AWD" systems in the AT/MT was something to get used to. But as I have found it comes down to the skill of the driver.

I'm lookin to do a similar to my Forester-- I'm going to talk to some people in Maple Valley about fixin me a darn right purdy one.

Find me a job and I'm there

Here I am.. oooo oooo ooo see?