rainman19154 Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 (edited) Reading USMB I learned to check with the key on before starting the engine- if I get a CEL. Negative!! (No ABS light either, FWIW, but there is a bulb in the socket.) I pulled the Combo Meter and found the CEL bulb had been snapped off in the base. All local mainstream autoparts dealers only stock Sylvania bulbs which are a tad large and won't fit the base, so I swapped my TCS bulb over to the CEL socket. Of course my CEL was on when I put it all back together, so I went down to PEP Boys and I've now got a print out for my codes. P0325 Knock Sensor #1 Malfunction P0420 Catalyst Efficiency Low Bank #1 Additionally, after 167 miles driven, I'm showing 17 mpg (17.02 actually)... city driving, with a short 12 mile round trip on the Penn Turnpike today. The car runs great. The tranny shifts hard when cold but the engine, throttle response etc are smooth and w/o issue. Whatchyall think? Because of the poor mileage, I have my own ill informed ideas about replacing the O2 sensor. Do these codes immediately tell me that I need a knock sensor and a Cat? Edited October 29, 2009 by rainman19154 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 What year, engine, auto or manual, and how many miles? Mileage has a lot to do with how you drive. I drive like a mad man and I haven't had worse than 19 in the city yet. Usually I get 21 - 23 city and 30+ highway out of my 96. You may need to replace the knock sensor. They seem to fail quite frequently on Subarus. Other than that it may need a tune up. Do a search for the P0420 code here on the site, there are loads of thread about that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainman19154 Posted October 29, 2009 Author Share Posted October 29, 2009 Sorry.... I've been on here so much this week, I just assume it's burned into everyone's memory. My bad. '95 Legacy ..2.2, I think, auto, 110k. FWD fuse in place currently to hold off TB problem. I just bought the car on Sunday. Was just reading search results on Knock Sensor. It does seem like an easy fix. Will search "P0420 code" next Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Well, my memory is short at best. :-p Good luck searching Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainman19154 Posted October 29, 2009 Author Share Posted October 29, 2009 (edited) Ok am pretty square eyed from reading search results but I'm gonna say the news isn't all bad. Does the Bosch O2 sensor get the board "OK"? Pep Boys stocks them for about $60. I've no clue about the knock sensor. Is that something only the dealer will stock? EDIT... $100 for the O2 Sensor. $45 for the Knock Sensor. Edited October 29, 2009 by rainman19154 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olnick Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I drive a '95 Leagacy too, although with manual tranny. I think the Bosch O2 is fine (although others on here will say it must be Subaru OEM!) Knock sensor is probably best from dealer. And I second what fairtax said, a general tuneup would be a good idea. Spark plugs and wires, new filters, PCV valve (and clean the hose), check vacuum hoses. Maybe even try a Seafoam treatment, clean MAF sensor and IACV. That 2.2 is a beautiful little engine--sounds like you're off to a good start. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainman19154 Posted October 29, 2009 Author Share Posted October 29, 2009 Blog update. Based on cash on hand, I went with the Knock Sensor from Autozone. $35. And BTW it took almost as long to locate it on the engine as it took to actually replace it. Look dead center on top of the back half of the block... I thought I read it would be downhill on one side or the other depending on the model. Not until I held the replacement and knew what to look for that I spotted it. A 12" extension was reguired, for sure. I've reset the codes and will see what pops back up. I read in the search results that some of the 420 codes will clear and then return. I'm curious to see how this behaves. My budget is very limited and I'm looking at a full set of four tires, so a $100+ outlay for that sensor doesn't fit into my plans very well. I'm driving roughly 120 miles RT to Jersey and back this evening... I'll bet the CEL returns (probably sooner than later). Sure, a "full set of plugs n wires etc" tuneup is probably in order but that can wait a day or two. I bought some Seafoam and added that to the full tank of fuel. Not a fix but one item I can afford today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 also, i'd disconnect the battery overnight to reset the ECU and see how long it takes and which codes come back. the 0420 probably will, but may take a day, depending on how much you drive. if the knock sensor is bad i would expect it to come back right away, unless it needs a certain type of driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainman19154 Posted October 29, 2009 Author Share Posted October 29, 2009 also, i'd disconnect the battery overnight to reset the ECU and see how long it takes and which codes come back. the 0420 probably will, but may take a day, depending on how much you drive. if the knock sensor is bad i would expect it to come back right away, unless it needs a certain type of driving. We're thinking the same... I replaced the Knock Sensor, then pulled negative terminal on the battery for ten minutes. No CEL on startup. Will post my updates as things develop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 The scrap yard I go to charges $5 for an O2 sensor. Finding one on a Subaru isn't easy though because they cut off most of the catalytic converters, and the sensor is mounted on the converter. Might not hurt to take a gander through a pick-n-pull in your area and see if you can find one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rainman19154 Posted October 30, 2009 Author Share Posted October 30, 2009 Just as an update... After replacing the knock sensor and clearing the codes- 24 hours later and in excess of 100 miles driven, still no CEL. (thumbs up!!!) I will replace the O2 sensor anyway but that is lower on the priority list for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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