Newbie here! Probs starting my 94 legacy, CEL on

[sarasub94]

Hi all. I drive a 94 Subaru Legacy Outdoor TI Wagon Limited Edition, you know the one with the silly pine tree decal on the side. Anyway, I'll admit I'm an "Abusive Subaru Driver". I know NOTHING about cars. But I love my Buru.

 

Recently my check engine light went on and I have to start her up twice, sometimes three times, then give it gas and rev it up until it'll idle high enough to not stall. Then it's really hesitant pulling out of my parking space sorta bucking but once I get going it seems fine. Gas mileage has gone down too.

 

I've got 138,000 miles. I'm between jobs so money isn't falling from the sky for me. I've got a friend who can fix almost anything so I don't want to take it to a dealer or mechanic. My uncle, also very car savvy thinks the problem is my O2 sensor. I tried to find answers under old posts here but I don't speak "car" so not alot made sense. Inspection is up in December...

 

Any advice? I'll be passing it along to my friend who'll try to fix her. I'll probably send him to read this post.

 

thanks!

[zyewdall]

Sounds like about the right mileage for the o2 sensor to fail. Usually they don't have any effects except lowered gas mileage, but maybe it's causing the poor running too? Dunno. IIRC, the '94 CEL code can be read by hooking two wires together under the dash and looking for a blinking light? I know that's the way it is on my '89 GL. The USRM should have the details for the legacies. In '95 or so, they all went to the computer readers, which autozone/checker/etc will usually read for free (in order to sell you the part you need....)

 

If it is just the O2 sensor, it shouldn't be too bad. I got a generic replacement sensor for mine for $22

[Jerry DeMoss]

Could also be a plugged fuel filter.If yours has never been changed I would check that too.My second guess is the coolant temp sensor.I would definately try the fuel filter or the O2 sensor first though.Good luck.

[sarasub94]

well I tried the instructions for finding the CEL codes on http://www.surrealmirage.com/subaru/subaru.html

 

really! I went down to my car armed with a screwdriver and pad of paper, I got the tray off but couldn't find the black wire thing, just green.... then it started pouring, that's right t-storms in upstate NY in Nov! anyway I went to AutoZone but my car's too old, they do 96 and up.

 

So I'm gonna ask my friend to try, he knows more about wires than me. I just don't want to replace things that don't need it since I'm strapped for cash, plus that CEL light has to go off so she'll pass inspection.

[Legacy777]

Your coolant temp sensor is probably bad. They're like 20 bucks from www.subarugenuineparts.com

 

I'm assuming you have an automatic trans. The black connectors can hide behind the TCU. If you remove the two 10mm bolts that hold the TCU in, you can usually move it out of the way enough to find them. Also, some of the later years had the connectors on the right side of the steering column.

 

This pic may help some.

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8080/subaru/images/ecuhide.jpg

[sarasub94]

sorry shoulda mentioned it's a standard

what's a TCU? I don't speak car.

 

so suggestions so far are:

o2 sensor

coolant temp sensor

plugged fuel filter

 

I guess I'll know for sure once I figure out what the CEL is telling me

 

thanks for all your help

[Legacy777]

TCU - Transmission Control Unit. It's the computer brain for the automatic transmission.

 

But you have a manual trans, so you won't have one.