2001 Outback issues

seph

seph

New member
So the 01 Outback that my wife and I picked up has some issues....I had the CELs read and I have P0325 - Knock Sensor, P0420 - Front O2 Sensor, and P1507.

The P1507 I have looked around and found it can be a gunked up IACV\gasket or even the Neutral Safety Switch. I don't have any trouble with it idling, but it does feel like it's misfiring under load under 2000 rpm.

So does anyone have any experience with the P1507 code and maybe have a direction for me to go in?

 
youll want to check for vaccum leaks first, get a can of brake clean and spray it on the engine while it runs, if it revs up you have a leak and need to fix that first. check your hoses and connections for a tight fit. if none of these are the issue its more than likey the iac valve

 
roger, I'll go grab a can and try it...I'll check back later with results...

Thanks Matt

 
SUBARUDE said:
420 is a cat code
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Right, is that not a sign that the O2 sensor is reading an unusual value?

Matt00RS25 said:
youll want to check for vaccum leaks first, get a can of brake clean and spray it on the engine while it runs, if it revs up you have a leak and need to fix that first. check your hoses and connections for a tight fit. if none of these are the issue its more than likey the iac valve
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No results with the brake cleaner. I did notice that the IACV ticks when the throttle is opened...is that normal?

And as for the IACV, should I just get a new gasket and clean it, or look for a replacement?

 
420 code can also be on for an exhaust leak near the cat. If it didn't do anything with the brake clean I'd guess it's prob just a bad iac.

 
I thought the 420 cat code was the rear.

Is it a manual or automatic? That'll change how to go about fixing the nss code.

 
P0420 is always catalyst efficiency i believe. Means cats no good or vehicle running so poorly will not pass its own emission check of cat.

The knock sensors go bad often, I got an ebay one for $20 and has worked for over a year no issues. as far as the cat, if you have any sputter from bad plug wires or plugs i would fix first then clear. If not its a bad cat. mines bad. lights always on.

other fault (p1507 is likely idle speed issue) would check for vac leaks as state and check plugs wires etc first, go from there.

 
The cat code CAN be because of a faulty sensor, if the sensor isn't reading properly, the computer just assumes the cat is bad. The computer will always assume the sensor is good until it's reading out of range. A sensor can be bad, but still reading within range, thus telling the computer the cat has failed.

 
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Chris said:
The cat code CAN be because of a faulty sensor, if the sensor isn't reading properly, the computer just assumes the cat is bad. The computer will always assume the sensor is good until it's reading out of range. A sensor can be bad, but still reading within range, thus telling the computer the cat has failed.
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I agree there is a possibility of a sensor. That is the case with any fault really. I'm speaking from experience and training. Out of say 250-500 times (In my 13 years full time), I have seen a P0420 fault, only about 5-10 times has it been due to another issue (exhaust leak, computer issue, or some sort of funky sensor or wire failure) and usually a second fault will indicate there is another under lying issue. Numbers of cats diagnosed is approximate, may be more. (and I work on far more vw, audi, and saab than anything)

And further information on how system works and how other issues can set cat fault for help on figuring if its actually cat, can explain far more in depth than I wish to (exhaust leaks, misfires, mixtures, sensor...) http://allwheeldrive...0420-explained/

Ultimate advise, do knock sensor first (google your fault and subaru may get good hits on other forums) if engine does not knock or have a "misfire". Clear faults, see what comes back and deal with it on issue at a time.

 
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You need a neutral switch on the tranny, a knock sensor, and a cat. Being you're not in Cumberland County you legally don't need a cat that functions but by law you need a cat to be there (1977+). The other items could effect drivability. The cats generally do not effect drivability until the 06+ cats which sometime break apart and clog the flow downstream, unless however there was a severe misfire at some point which can cause cat meltdown and clogging. Generally, though, they just become inefficient at doing the cat thing and set the light. Sometimes they break apart and flush themselves out the back without any drivability issues.

 
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