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ron917
Valiant General
Registered: Jun 2007
Location: New Jersey
Car: 07 2.5i
Posts: 378 |
05-09: How To Read Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)
How to Read Diagnostic Trouble Codes on 2005 thru 2009 Subaru Legacy and Outback
The 2005 thru 2009 model year Legacy and Outback can display Diagnostic
Trouble Codes (DTCs) directly on the dashboard. No scan tool is needed.
No jumper wires are required, and it is not necessary to count blinky
lights. The codes are displayed in plain text on the instrument cluster.
Trouble codes from the ECM (Engine Control Module), TCM (Transmission
Control Module) and ABSCM/VDCCM (ABS or VDC Control Module) are
displayed.
This procedure was distilled from the FSM. The English translation in
the FSM is not very good, so I have attempted to make it easier to
follow. The FSM has this procedure in the Body Section,
Instrument/Driver Information, Comination Meter System chapter.
Some notes before starting:
- I believe this procedure will work for all 2005 to 2009 Legacys and
Outbacks. However, I have only tested the procedure on my car, a 2007
Outback 2.5i automatic.
- I don't know of a way to reset the codes without a scan tool. Disconnecting the battery may or may not work.
- Exactly what you will see depends on what type of display your car
has. There are two images of tables below, one for the Normal display
and one for the Multi-Information Display that is found on Turbo models.
The Procedure
Starting condition: key off, headlight switch off.
Steps 1 through 7 must be performed within 10 seconds.
1. Turn key to ON position. This is the normal running position, the
click just before starting, when all the lights on the dash come on,
but before you twist to START. Don't start the engine!
2. Within 3 seconds, turn the headlight switch ON.
3. Press the Trip/Odometer button 4 times.
4. Turn the headlight switch OFF.
5. Press the Trip/Odometer button 4 times.
6. Turn headlight swtich ON.
7. Press Trip/Odometer button 4 times. At this point, the DTC display will begin.
8. Turn headlight switch OFF. Not necessary for the procedure, but your
display may be dimmed and hard to read in bright sunlight. Besides, why
drain the battery?
The DTCs for each module will display in order: ECM, TCM, ABSCM/VDCCM.
Press the Trip/Odometer button to cycle between modules. The FSM states
that the display will cycle between modules automatically every three
seconds if the button is not pushed, but that did not happen in my car
- I had to push the button to cycle the display.
For each module, there are three display states:
- Receiving DTC from module (blinking "P" or "C")
- DTC detected & displayed ("P" or "C" followed by 4 digits)
- No DTC found ("P" or "C" followed by "----")
If there is a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus communication error,
you will see only "----" in the display. Basically, that means that the
network in your car is broken. That will need to be repaired before
anything else can be done.
See the table below that applies to your car, depending on which type of display you have.
Notes
- TCM error codes will not be displayed for cars with manual
transmissions. The TCM display state will remain in "Receiving DTC"
(blinking "P" on display). In my case, my car is an automatic, but the
blinking "P" remained, possibly because I have no codes set.
- To cancel the DTC display, turn the key to OFF.
- If the engine is started, the DTC display will remain until the car starts to move. (I did not test this)
- Past DTCs that have been repaired will be displayed until the engine is started 3 times. (I did not test this)
Display Tables
Normal Display
Multi-Information Display
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06-14-2009 08:20 PM |
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mslatfly
Flying Cavalry
Registered: Jun 2008
Location: Maryland
Car: 08 OB 2.5i Basic
Posts: 208 |
Very cool.. I was wondering if there was a way to read them with out a scanner.
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06-14-2009 09:03 PM |
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xls
Legionairre
Registered: May 2009
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Car: 2009 Outback 2.5i SE 5MT
Posts: 40 |
Wow, thanks! This should probably be stickied.
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06-15-2009 02:33 AM |
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FranciscoApple
Recruit
Registered: Feb 2009
Location: Madrid, Spain
Car: 2008 Subaru Outback Diesel
Posts: 7 |
Re: 05-09: How To Read Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)
Hi!
Do you know where is placed the DLC on a 2008 Diesel Outback? I've
tried to look on the driver's side dash, but I couldn't find it out...
Do I have to remove any screw or is can it be seen easily?
Thanks!
quote: Originally posted by ron917
How to Read Diagnostic Trouble Codes on 2005 thru 2009 Subaru Legacy and Outback
The 2005 thru 2009 model year Legacy and Outback can display Diagnostic
Trouble Codes (DTCs) directly on the dashboard. No scan tool is needed.
No jumper wires are required, and it is not necessary to count blinky
lights. The codes are displayed in plain text on the instrument cluster.
Trouble codes from the ECM (Engine Control Module), TCM (Transmission
Control Module) and ABSCM/VDCCM (ABS or VDC Control Module) are
displayed.
This procedure was distilled from the FSM. The English translation in
the FSM is not very good, so I have attempted to make it easier to
follow. The FSM has this procedure in the Body Section,
Instrument/Driver Information, Comination Meter System chapter.
Some notes before starting:
- I believe this procedure will work for all 2005 to 2009 Legacys and
Outbacks. However, I have only tested the procedure on my car, a 2007
Outback 2.5i automatic.
- I don't know of a way to reset the codes without a scan tool. Disconnecting the battery may or may not work.
- Exactly what you will see depends on what type of display your car
has. There are two images of tables below, one for the Normal display
and one for the Multi-Information Display that is found on Turbo models.
The Procedure
Starting condition: key off, headlight switch off.
Steps 1 through 7 must be performed within 10 seconds.
1. Turn key to ON position. This is the normal running position, the
click just before starting, when all the lights on the dash come on,
but before you twist to START. Don't start the engine!
2. Within 3 seconds, turn the headlight switch ON.
3. Press the Trip/Odometer button 4 times.
4. Turn the headlight switch OFF.
5. Press the Trip/Odometer button 4 times.
6. Turn headlight swtich ON.
7. Press Trip/Odometer button 4 times. At this point, the DTC display will begin.
8. Turn headlight switch OFF. Not necessary for the procedure, but your
display may be dimmed and hard to read in bright sunlight. Besides, why
drain the battery?
The DTCs for each module will display in order: ECM, TCM, ABSCM/VDCCM.
Press the Trip/Odometer button to cycle between modules. The FSM states
that the display will cycle between modules automatically every three
seconds if the button is not pushed, but that did not happen in my car
- I had to push the button to cycle the display.
For each module, there are three display states:
- Receiving DTC from module (blinking "P" or "C")
- DTC detected & displayed ("P" or "C" followed by 4 digits)
- No DTC found ("P" or "C" followed by "----")
If there is a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus communication error,
you will see only "----" in the display. Basically, that means that the
network in your car is broken. That will need to be repaired before
anything else can be done.
See the table below that applies to your car, depending on which type of display you have.
Notes
- TCM error codes will not be displayed for cars with manual
transmissions. The TCM display state will remain in "Receiving DTC"
(blinking "P" on display). In my case, my car is an automatic, but the
blinking "P" remained, possibly because I have no codes set.
- To cancel the DTC display, turn the key to OFF.
- If the engine is started, the DTC display will remain until the car starts to move. (I did not test this)
- Past DTCs that have been repaired will be displayed until the engine is started 3 times. (I did not test this)
Display Tables
Normal Display
Multi-Information Display
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06-17-2009 07:43 AM |
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davez26
Legionairre
Registered: May 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Car: 2005 Outback, 2.5i, Diamond White
Posts: 11 |
Where can I find the codes?
Once I have retrieved the codes, where can I get a list of their meanings?
Thanks.
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07-04-2009 04:31 AM |
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FranciscoApple
Recruit
Registered: Feb 2009
Location: Madrid, Spain
Car: 2008 Subaru Outback Diesel
Posts: 7 |
Re: Where can I find the codes?
quote: Originally posted by davez26
Once I have retrieved the codes, where can I get a list of their meanings?
Thanks. | |
Hi!
You can find a complete list here:
http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/
Good Luck!
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07-04-2009 10:14 AM |
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davez26
Legionairre
Registered: May 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Car: 2005 Outback, 2.5i, Diamond White
Posts: 11 |
How about Abs codes?
I saw a list on NASIOC of ABS codes here codes?.
The list is referenced in the posting as for a 2002. Are ABS codes
generic and these are applicable to 2005--> Outback as well or is
there a better list?
TIA.
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07-04-2009 03:20 PM |
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davez26
Legionairre
Registered: May 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Car: 2005 Outback, 2.5i, Diamond White
Posts: 11 |
No need to spoon feed me...
I have successfully pulled my head out of my b..t,
If I click on the "C" codes they are right there. Thanks again.
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07-04-2009 03:37 PM |
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