Out Front: CEL (already!)

Stein

Stein

Stein
Well, after owning my car for... 10 days?... I have a check engine light. It happened on 295 in Portland a few minutes after I got on. I'm wondering if holding 3rd gear coming off the on-ramp caused it?

Anyway, I drove it easy on the freeway (didn't-exceed-65 easy) and popped the hood when I got home. I believe that there is an extra clicking sound now...

The only thing I can think of is the timing belt, but since that's the only thing I really know about... what do you guys think?

Should I drive it tomorrow to school or get the code read first?

 
I don't think the ECU would know about the clicking sound. IMHO I doubt its anything substantial, maybe you need new plugs or something and had a misfire. Use to happen on my Grand Am all the time, same on my brothers old Cavalier and my old Sable, even my old 87 Subie always had a CEL. It happens.

 
Heh, welcome to the world of 'Used Car Ownership" and the associated disease, "Freaking Out About Every Little Noise."

CELs and Subarus go together like subies and dirt roads.

No sense worring about anyting til you get code read. A steadily lit CEL generally indicates some exhaust/emissions issue that won't prohibit driving for a while. If CEL is flashing, that's a diffrent matter and that means something you need to address asap.

 
I was already told about the flashingness, but thankfully this one is solid.

Oil is good, timing belt feels tight (is this good?
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), engine temps were fine at 65 so I didn't bother to check coolant. No liquids under the parking space.

I'll get the codes read tomorrow after school I guess.

 
At least find someone with an OBD 2 scanner to get the code.

I think Advanced Auto will scan for free.

Don't let it go too long. Find the code. Post here. Maybe someone can tell you if it is serious or not.

OOPS, on the phone too long while posting. Nigel beat me.

 
I was already told about the flashingness, but thankfully this one is solid.
Oil is good, timing belt feels tight (is this good?
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), engine temps were fine at 65 so I didn't bother to check coolant. No liquids under the parking space.

I'll get the codes read tomorrow after school I guess.
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Get the codes read. It could be something as stupid as the gas cap being not on tight enough or something.

I think you mean the accessory belt. Timing belt is different from the one that goes around and turns your alternator.

 
I believe there were two separate belts up front. I checked the one under the plastic cover, but I did not remove the cover to do it.

 
I ve got a check engine code, abs light, and flashing cruise control, I win. Hehe

Oh and a broken strut.

 
Oh ok. The two belts on the front are just accessory belts, the timing belt is under the plastic cover. But I'm sure that's fine, It's probably the P0420 code, that's a very common one, it's the catylist efficiency below thresh hold. Stupid O2 sensors

 
I ve got a check engine code, abs light, and flashing cruise control, I win. Hehe
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Our Forester did that. It means limp it to the nearest repair shop. In our case we had the car flat-bedded to EG. It ended up being a plugged oil line to the turbo, so I'm glad we didn't drive the 90 miles to Auburn.

 
I'm going to go to a local garage (owned by the stepdad of one of my brother's friends) and see if they'll pull the code for free tomorrow after school (and robotics club
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).

Anyway, if that fails there's at least two auto parts shops I can think of on Route 1.

 
p0420 is the FIRST thing I thought of when I saw the thread. When it is winter mine will come on every now and again. Scangauge2 takes care of it though
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that's too bad, i got the same code when i got mine about 6 months ago. damn cat converters
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My old rs had the code po420 all the time didn't matter what I did. Coil pack, plugs, wires, 02 sensor knock sensor still would show no biggie. My sisters 95 cel has been flashing for over a year a piece of black tape makes it go away :-)

 
My old rs had the code po420 all the time didn't matter what I did. Coil pack, plugs, wires, 02 sensor knock sensor still would show no biggie. My sisters 95 cel has been flashing for over a year a piece of black tape makes it go away :-)
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It's a 95 though. So it won't fail inspection for a CEL.

 
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