Subaru Engines - Auto Repair Codes

Scan Tool for Codes and Live Data for your Subaru Engine from $199 USD

The information below may apply to Subaru L-Series, Impreza/WRX, Legacy and many other models

Step 5

Subaru EFI Code Reading

Connector Diagram

Tips

• Connectors are a matching male and female pair. Each vehicle has two connector pairs.
• One pair are green, the other pair are either black or clear.

Auto Repair Manual - How to read codes (No Special Tools Needed)

1 Warm the engine and oxygen sensor to operating temperature.

2 Turn the ignition OFF.

3 Join the green connectors only.

4 Turn the ignition on, the Check Engine Light (CEL) should turn on.

5 Depress the accelerator fully then back it off to halfway for 2 seconds.

6 If the Check Engine Light (CEL) starts flashing, skip to instruction 8.

7 If the Check Engine Light (CEL) goes out, snap open accelerator fully for a brief moment. Drive the vehicle for at least 1 minute faster than 11km/h. If the Check Engine Light (CEL) starts flashing this time continue on with the test.

8 Subaru's have several different test methods for the same year of vehicle. These are roughly grouped into the following, pre '86 EFI, post '87 EFI and post '87 Carb.

9 To find the correct test method you may need to Induce a sensor fault, i.e. disconnect a sensor (EXCEPT TDC, O2 sensor or start signal) then run the engine until the Check Engine Light (CEL) stays ON and retest the vehicle. If one of the new codes is the one you induced you have the correct method.

10 Read codes as described in the Code Format Description then continue by selecting the correct buttons below to enter the code numbers and get the code description.

Code Format Diagram

Code Format Description

• Each code is made up of two series of flashes.

• The long flashes indicate the 'tens' digits.

• The short flashes indicate the 'ones' digits.

• A long pause separates each code sequence.

• Code Format Diagram shows code No. 12.

Select a test method to move to the next screen

 post '87 Carb >  pre '86 EFI >  post '87 EFI > 

Note on Example Model(s): Subaru L-Series, Impreza/WRX, Legacy
The example model(s) shown, Subaru L-Series, Impreza/WRX, Legacy for this auto repair service are only an indication to help you. There may be many other models that apply to this connector. Click above link to see the complete vehicle coverage list.