Flashing CEL

Asked by Richard Apr 22, 2018 at 08:05 PM about the 2003 Subaru Forester XS

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Picked up a 03 forester with 160 on clock
CEL flashs but shoots all P codes. Runs
decent but owner told me the car has sat for
2 or 3 years.

4 Answers
48,090

TheSubaruGuruBoston answered 6 years ago

Yeah, fuel's a mess. At least fill with premium and a bottle of strong cleaner like Techron; then clear the codes with a scanner and see what pops back as you drive; refill with premium at the half-tank mark until it runs normally all the time. Do NOT let the fuel level get below 1/4 tank unless you feel like draining ALL the fuel as Tom suggested. Dump the old NGK plat plugs for any new iridiums, and if it's an autobox drain and refill the ATF TWICE one week apart. You'll learn to discern worn wheel bearings over time. Have fun, but don't let this dinosaur become a money-pit.

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Mark helpful

Richard answered 6 years ago

Was almost nothing in the tank. Did put fresh gas in. The codes were 02 sensor codes. I will take your advice and run a high grade gas and additives. Thx

Mark helpful

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