codes...what are they

[bgambino]

Okay guys...I got a problem

 

Neices 2007 impreza

 

For some time the CEL would come on and the cruise lite would be on (or flash...I dont remember)

Code would read the infamous 420 catalytic

I figure ...no problem,,,before her state inspection is due (May 1) i will do an O2 cheater

 

Well I go check it today...and I now have 4 codes,,,,and i'm afraid they are not easy ones for me to solve...tell me i'm wrong LOL

 

P1518 subaru specific

P442--Evap sys. "small" leak

P456--Evap sys "very small" leak

 

This poor kid does not have much money and I'm afraid I wil not be able to solve this for her

Looking for a miracle.....

thanks

[ShawnW]

Most likely, a vac line under the hood has come undone. The 1518 I believe is idle speed malfunction, and those 2 others are basically different takes on the same old canister purge or evap system problems. Look for thin lines going under the intake manifold that might be unplugged. Check for rear damage too, lots of people back into things and mess up the charcoal canister. Its in the rear passenger side under the back edge of the car.

[Fairtax4me]

Canobd2.com is what I use for looking up codes. Has manufacturer codes for almost every make sold in the US.

 

P1518 Starter switch circuit. This is a wire that runs from the ignition to the ECU, it just tells the ECU when the key has turned to engage the starter. This is going to be a wiring issue.

P0442 and P0456 are both for small Evap emission leak.

 

With those codes, I would start looking for a nest and evidence of mouse damage. They can be crafty, don't overlook the cabin air filter box.

[bgambino]

Canobd2.com is what I use for looking up codes. Has manufacturer codes for almost every make sold in the US.

 

P1518 Starter switch circuit. This is a wire that runs from the ignition to the ECU, it just tells the ECU when the key has turned to engage the starter. This is going to be a wiring issue.

P0442 and P0456 are both for small Evap emission leak.

 

With those codes, I would start looking for a nest and evidence of mouse damage. They can be crafty, don't overlook the cabin air filter box.

 

well...maybe the evap thing is something i can figure out...altho wouldn't a loose hose cause a running issue? There are always mice/chipmunks getting into our engine compartments here...does anyone know if mothballs would be damaging to the aluminum engine casing if laying on them over time...this would probably keep them out

 

And how does the cabin filter tie in? you mean maybe a hose in and around it?

This is behind the glove box?

[bluedotsnow]

the vacuum lines are in the engine bay. locate your engine air filter, after the filter you should see your mass airflow sensor sitting on an intake pipe that runs to your throttle body. my vacuum lines originate from the intake pipe and go to various parts of the metal intake manifold and pcv system.

 

I have a 96 legacy so I'm sure there are differences

[Fairtax4me]

Mice like to make nests in the box where the cabin filter is.

 

I've heard moth balls work, just makes the car smell, but won't do any damage. I would try to avoid putting them ON the engine as they may melt, but they can be placed/taped in other areas under the hood. Behind the headlights, on top of the strut towers, etc.

 

A small vacuum leak usually will not make a noticeable difference in the way the engine runs. The ECU can usually alter air and fuel mixture enough to dampen the effects of a small leak.

[ShawnW]

Its a 50/50 on making it run different. Some of them create a vac leak, some juts make a leak between a sensor and a source where it doesn't change much other than it won't pull unburned raw fuel out of the canister or something.

[bgambino]

so I'm looking for a hose that came off....?

or a cracked hose?or damaged part----which would be difficult to find i am sure

this sounds like nightmare!

 

and the P1518....totally out of my ability

 

oh boy!

thanks guys

[Caboobaroo]

For the evap leaks, it could also be as easy as a bad gas cap.

 

For the P1518, I'm willing to bet its a manual transmission car. This is a very common code to be stored (not to prompt the CEL) when the clutch pedal isn't pressed in far enough to initially start the vehicle.

[bgambino]

For the evap leaks, it could also be as easy as a bad gas cap.

 

For the P1518, I'm willing to bet its a manual transmission car. This is a very common code to be stored (not to prompt the CEL) when the clutch pedal isn't pressed in far enough to initially start the vehicle.

 

you are right...5 speed

I will check the codes tonite as she said the CEL came on within 15 miles of home this morning --see if all 4 are there

 

And I guess I should tell her to push the clutch to floor when starting

would be GREAT to get rid of that one

 

I can take care of the 420 code (BTW...do most of you change out the rear O2 sensor for this...what is the chance of success?). Or for those who use the O2 cheater...do you use a single or two at once (that is the one I saw done on another message board)

Please....if this bothers anyone....(the O2 cheater)...please dont preach at me...thanks

[Mike104]

The 02 cheater really only fixes an overly sensitive system. Its the front O2 that controls the fuel mixture.

 

Its your car, I'm sure one car won't kill the environment

[1 Lucky Texan]

P1518....

 

does she have 6 lbs of; charms, pepper spray, cute cast cat faces, plastic Totoro or Hello kitty dolls and similar on her key ring? maybe it's stressing the ignition switch.

 

And have her show you how she puts the gas cap back on. make sure she makes it click several times. But, doubtful the gas cap is an issue.

Edited May 10, 2012 by 1 Lucky Texan

[1 Lucky Texan]

Did anyone else work on this car? maybe when the P0420 code was occuring?

 

Did the P1518 and other codes show up immediately after someone else worked on the car? The reason I ask is, sometimes if the green test connector is left together, you the P1518 code with several others. But I THINK there would be 6-7-8 codes total.

 

anyone?

[bluedotsnow]

Did anyone else work on this car? maybe when the P0420 code was occuring?

 

Did the P1518 and other codes show up immediately after someone else worked on the car? The reason I ask is, sometimes if the green test connector is left together, you the P1518 code with several others. But I THINK there would be 6-7-8 codes total.

 

anyone?

 

I can't imagine someone not knowing the test connector was in place the bloody fans kicking on and off alone are enough to make me pull over to see whats wrong.

 

a note about the cheater.... IMO if you use a shiny new one you should paint it or dirty it to match the cat and O2 sensor. I can just see a tech catching a gleam from a freshly chromed cheater and scream tampered.

 

a friend of mine who has an ford escort gt, yes I know, he is trying to retire for the cal caps program for a cool grand failed smog for not having a piece of plastic pipe before the MAF. technically that tech should have been shot because a snorkus is not emissions related that starts at the MAF.