New to me car problems (codes inside)

[squeethebee]

First off, car is a 1997 Impreza Outback Sport, 2.2l with a 4eat.

No CEL, but I scanned it and it came back with 9 codes, so clearly the douche that owned it before me pulled the bulb along with a few other questionable "mods"

Codes:

P0130 Front O2
P0325 Knock Sensor
P0400 EGR Flow malfunction
P0441 EVAP system incorrect purge flow
P0740 Torque converter clutch circuit - open
P1143 Pressure Sensor Circuit Low Input


Things I have noticed are that there are some vacuum lines not hooked up correctly, and the EGR is not connected to the block as it should be. I will be fixing those soon here, but the main thing I am concerned about it one of those codes is torque converter related or something.

That's the thing causes me problems, the car doesn't like to shift into 3rd form 4th going up hills. You can just press the gas harder and harder until it shifts into 2nd, then let up a little and it will pop into 3rd. It also shifts harshly from 1-2 and sometimes 2-3. Its will hold 1st till around 3,500 in first when cold, even with 25% throttle.

I'm thinking, and have been told a fluid change and filter would help with the hard shifting, but any ideas about the other problems with it? I use this for work now, and it works, I would just like to correct the problems before they get worse and something actually stops working.

ed

[Psychoreo]

P0740 is as you said torque converter related. Specifically "Torque converter clutch circuit - open." I've seen a fluid flush, fill, and filter fix this sometimes. Others it's a bad electrical connection.

Wish I had some better info for ya...

[squeethebee]

Do you mean fluid FLUSH, or just drain and replace?

And its hard to have bad info, so I appreciate it, any suggestions on what to run for fluid? Car has 166k on it.

And can I see a big pic of your avatar please?

ed

[Bu11dogg2]

Others it's a bad electrical connection.

...


or the first sign of a bad alternator.

Do a voltage test ;)

[squeethebee]

No sir. You talking pull the alternator off and have it tested, or just the battery test in the car?

ed

[Bu11dogg2]

you can test alternator voltage without removing it ;)

How you do it for your particular model... :dunno:


Do a search for the proper voltage and test it.

I think Pep-boys/autozone does free testing for both :)

I've seen cars throw all kinds of crazy codes including tranny codes when the alternator is going.

[squeethebee]

Yeah, but it actually has tranny shifting problems as well!

ed

[Bu11dogg2]

If the sensors aren't getting enough, or regulated power it will cause them to fail.

[Bu11dogg2]

P0130 Front O2
P0325 Knock Sensor
P0400 EGR Flow malfunction
P0441 EVAP system incorrect purge flow
P0740 ??????
P1143 ????

[shtbxr22]

check the harnesses on top of the trans. check operation of vent valve with green "d-check" connector under dash. and meet with me so i can touch things. :shrug:

[shtbxr22]

drop the trans pan, check the ground. if the harness was resealed, the ground could have been left loose causing harsh shifts. :)

[squeethebee]

check the harnesses on top of the trans. check operation of vent valve with green "d-check" connector under dash. and meet with me so i can touch things. :shrug:

Check for what in the harness on top of trans?

What?

I like that idea. Also I can has Spec B ride?

drop the trans pan, check the ground. if the harness was resealed, the ground could have been left loose causing harsh shifts. :)

What? I am very noobish when it comes to automatic trannys.

ed

[shtbxr22]

a break in the wires. under the dash there is a green connector that will be disconnected. connect it, turn the key on, and go out back to see if the vent valve is operating. yes, you can drive. and the ground is the only wire from the harness that is attached to the valve body with a bolt. :D

[shtbxr22]

what's up? bump

[squeethebee]

Been working, will be doing a voltage test Sunday or Monday, and peeking for disconnected wires atop the trans as well.

You think you can get me a pic of what I am too be looking for once I drop the tranny pan? I just don't want to miss something, and have to buy ATF again. Also, what would you recommend running at 166 thousand? I don't drive it hard or anything like that.

ed

[shtbxr22]

pretty sure the bolt goes in here with the only black wire there.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m194/star91281/detail_1719_subaru_4eat_valve_body_.jpg

just use some subie ATF, or any name brand dexron III. you'll probably need around 5 qts.

[squeethebee]

I'll probably go with a brand name Dexron 3 then, Subaru is probably more then I want to spend on this. Unless you wanna get me a deal on some ish, AND have me come pick it up so you can poke around.:devil:

ed

[etaks99rs]

P1143 = Pressure Sensor Circuit Low Input

[squeethebee]

Yeah, but what in the hell does that mean? :lol:

ed

[shtbxr22]

i'll look today.

[Bu11dogg2]

like shtbxr and I said, it's either a bad pin/connector or alt issue.

keep us updated!

[shtbxr22]

fluid costs me about 3 bucks a bottle. also, i got the diagnostics printed from our manual if you want.

[Psychoreo]

Do you mean fluid FLUSH, or just drain and replace?

And its hard to have bad info, so I appreciate it, any suggestions on what to run for fluid? Car has 166k on it.

And can I see a big pic of your avatar please?

ed

Sorry, no not flush just drain and fill. Any progress so far? And I'll have to look around and see if I still have a big version of that pic lol. It's a Pizza meltdown.

[squeethebee]

like shtbxr and I said, it's either a bad pin/connector or alt issue.

keep us updated!

fluid costs me about 3 bucks a bottle. also, i got the diagnostics printed from our manual if you want.

Sorry, no not flush just drain and fill. Any progress so far? And I'll have to look around and see if I still have a big version of that pic lol. It's a Pizza meltdown.


Had it on a lift yesterday, looked all around underneath and on top of the transmission, nothing seemed amiss.:unamused:

Other than the CEL's, I got the car with blown susp, and small PS fluid leak, no radio, not hooked up EGR, and disconnected vacuum lines in the bay.

I fixed suspension problem yesterday, and it developed an oil leak and I found out the gas vent tube (?) is rotted out. Super happy. Hopefully trying to tackle vacuum lines and voltage test today, depends on weather and if I have to go into work early or not. Thanks for the help so far guys, I wanna get this thing running like it should!

ed

[squeethebee]

Eric, any idea how many bottles I would need? I'm thinking pick some up from you so you can poke around if you wanted to as well. Maybe OEM trans filter too...

ed

[squeethebee]

So uh... had some fun issues tonite at work.

Somewhere around 4:30pm I noticed car shifting VERY hard from 1st to 2nd, then while cruising between 30-35 car wouldn't shift out of 2nd gear, causing revs to be at almost 4k. Then it started upshifting to 3rd but before it would go in 3rd, downshift to 2nd almost immediately. This was while I was maintaining a constant speed, and constant throttle application. Put 1 quart of Dex-Merc in at Bond (thanks Dan) and it was fine, actually better then before until about 10:30pm when it started doing the same thing.

Both times were after I left for a delivery, left the car running for a minute or two and was in the process of driving back. Got back to work, shut the car off and the next time I drove it was fine.

I am thinking either something is overheating, or I am losing fluid, OR something is overheating BECAUSE I am losing fluid. Trying to check the fluid level on the dipstick wasn't really working because there was fluid all up and down the stick from pouring it in, but it looked low the first time I checked it. Suggestions? Should I just stock up on fluid to get me through the weekend? I have to work probably until Wednesday, possibly have Monday off, so what should I do till then?

:unamused:

ed

[shtbxr22]

oh yeah, check your front diff fluid. on rare occasions the fluids can transfer if the transfer tube seal fails.

[squeethebee]

I checked it. Looks to have no red in it, and to be at a sufficient level.

ed

[shtbxr22]

smell it.

[squeethebee]

Lol, smells awful, you bastard :lol:

I feel as if meeting up would be a big help. Is Hudson near Manchvegas? What you doing Monday after work? :) Mini meet time!

ed

[shtbxr22]

:lol: 25 min. south of manch. why don't you meet me at subaru at 5?

[squeethebee]

Which Subaru (just to be clear) and if you can hook me up with fluid and filter for trans, how much would that be? Also, you should pm me your number so if something happens, I can let you know.

ed

[shtbxr22]

pm/text sent! :up: