Check Engine Light - Subaru Legacy Outback

[bqf]

The 'check engine' light has just lit on my Legacy Outback (that I am using for short station runs). Any ideas what it might be? I have tried the high revs motorway journey to clear out the emissions system but no joy.

Any simple diagnostic tips?

Or am I going to have to visit the hilariously priced Subaru dealer near me??

[SV8Predator]

bqf said:

Any ideas what it might be?

No genuine psychics on here I don't think. There are literally hundreds of reasons why the light may be on.

If you don't want to pay for a dealer to look at it for you, then buy a cheap code reader. The resulting code may then give people on here something to work with.

[bqf]

Same thing happened on my VW Touareg a few months ago - asked a similar question and had stacks of 'common problem, emissions system, fast motorway run' answers. None of 'em were psychics.

Thought it might be a common cold-weather related problem, thats all.

[SV8Predator]

You can certainly get lots of 'guesses'. Is that what you're after? 50 possible outcomes rather than the real problem?

How is that going to help you?

[bqf]

Any ideas based on experience totally welcome

[kambites]

I think you'll have to plug it into a diagnostics reader and see what fault code is showing. I doubt any engine has a single error so common that it's worth guessing at.

Doesn't need to go to a Subaru dealer - any garage should have an OBD reader, or you can buy one from ebay for about 20 quid.

[andymach23]

Are you in the RAC or similar? They would likely come out and read the code for you. I did this with the Check Engine Light on my Discovery.

[rhinochopig]

Pure guess based on time of year - lambda sensor

[bqf]

rhinochopig said:

Pure guess based on time of year - lambda sensor

Thats a possible given it's so cold, thanks

[rhinochopig]

bqf said:

rhinochopig said:

Pure guess based on time of year - lambda sensor

Thats a possible given it's so cold, thanks

It's more the wet and salt - big puddles and thermal shock / stress corrosion cracking kills them.

[Koofler]

rhinochopig said:

Pure guess based on time of year - lambda sensor

This.

Mine came on after -6 on Tuesday night on my Grand Cherokee. Ran it in to where I have it serviced and they plugged in and got the code. A quick strip down and grease later (the sensor, not me...) and I was good to go.

[bqf]

Koofler said:

This.

Mine came on after -6 on Tuesday night on my Grand Cherokee. Ran it in to where I have it serviced and they plugged in and got the code. A quick strip down and grease later (the sensor, not me...) and I was good to go.

Great - thats good knowledgem thanks. I'll take it in and have it looked at