warning lights

bowenarrow · Post by **bowenarrow** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 6:43 pm

Hi I have a MY03 Heritage wagon that has a problem with warning lights. When operating temp arrives the VDS light comes on and off followed by both lights coming on and staying on. Sometimes running is unaffected, sometimes it is sluggish. Have had oil flush for possible sticking lifters but still it remains. No codes show up on the 6 times I have it read. Any ideas ? Thanks Ross

ohsuby · Post by **ohsuby** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 6:53 pm

vds!! maybe you meen vdc(vechile dynamics control)there is a memory function that is supported by the vdc but to retreve codes you dont go in to the ecu side of things(green d check connectors)....is this wot your after...
suby...

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 6:58 pm

Do you mean VDC?

If you do, its the vehicle dynamics control (traction control)

Is your car auto?

You will need to take the vehicle to a Subaru dealer so that they can plug in the "Select Monitor' diagnosis tool. This will tell them which sensor is acting up and it can be then replaced.

ohsuby · Post by **ohsuby** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 7:02 pm

no dealer req you cant pick some of the vdc shit up but you can manually probe the white 8 pin conector to get the vdc light to flicker and pump out the codes.....but if thats beond you then bring it to the dealer...

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 7:10 pm

I found an article in the FSM about reading the codes by placing a wire link between 2 pins of a connector. I can load them up if you are keen on reading the codes yourself

ohsuby · Post by **ohsuby** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 7:25 pm

yea do that and ill have a look in the book tomorrow and let you know...

bowenarrow · Post by **bowenarrow** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:09 pm

Thanks blokes. Sorry I do mean VDC and Engine warning coming on to-gether. Subaru have checked codes twice and 4 others have had a look but are stumped. It now loses much power wont kick down (it is auto) and goes into rough running when pressed uphill. I dont have any electronic experience but would love to know if someone has experienced the same so I can gleefully go back to Subaru and tell them.
Ross

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:11 pm

Sensor could be faulty?
Cheers
AP

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:29 pm

Seems odd that it is causing so much trouble, but isnt logging a fault code.

I'll dig up the testing procedure for you

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 8:13 am

Suparoo wrote:Seems odd that it is causing so much trouble, but isnt logging a fault code.

I'll dig up the testing procedure for you

Its like.. Gen 2 Liberty with faulty O2 sensor - ECM doesnt pick up and thinks its working well... thats an example, only way is to get multimedia to test it out or swap the sensor over.
Cheers
AP

bowenarrow · Post by **bowenarrow** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 10:19 am

The info given is also the way I'm thinking eg. sensors. Problem is I dont know how to do such a check unless by substitution of say 02 sensor. I believe these are pretty expensive and I'm reluctant to just buy a new one in case its another problem. I guess I'm looking for confidence to do such a substitution unless there is ready access around for known used ones. I dont have confidence in the level of local expertise and have grown tired of Subaru just doing a rudimentary check and bumping me on. I would really like to know of someone on the mid north coast nsw who is a whiz on these matters.
Cheers Ross

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 7:28 pm

bowenarrow wrote:The info given is also the way I'm thinking eg. sensors. Problem is I dont know how to do such a check unless by substitution of say 02 sensor. I believe these are pretty expensive and I'm reluctant to just buy a new one in case its another problem. I guess I'm looking for confidence to do such a substitution unless there is ready access around for known used ones. I dont have confidence in the level of local expertise and have grown tired of Subaru just doing a rudimentary check and bumping me on. I would really like to know of someone on the mid north coast nsw who is a whiz on these matters.
Cheers Ross

new O2 sensor can be found below $85 off ebay. Ideally they last for 100,000kms.
cheers
AP

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 8:24 pm

I really dont think the o2 sensor is responsible for your problems. Id be looking at the G-sensor.

When i get a minute, i'll put up the VDC part of the FSM

bowenarrow · Post by **bowenarrow** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:32 pm

Thought I'd better add a bit more about the lights that are showing. The VDC light is the VDC OFF light on the left hand side of the panel not the VDC light that shows when the key is turned on, on the right hand side of the panel. The other light is the check engine light in the shape of an engine. Hope this may help. Cheers Ross

bobbyjimmy · Post by **bobbyjimmy** » Fri Feb 26, 2010 8:52 am

So its the light near the Cruise Control button and not on the dash?

bowenarrow · Post by **bowenarrow** » Fri Feb 26, 2010 10:19 am

The VDC OFF light referred to is on the left side of the illuminated start up panel,above the Fuel guage. The car is a Heritage which has a VDC light on the right hand side above the temp guage, which lights up when the key is turned on and goes off on start. The car has a VDC OFF switch on the left of the steering wheel, the function of which I am not aware of. Switching it on or off when the problem occurs makes no difference to anything. The check engine light is on the right side next to the VDC light referred to. Hope this helps.
As an aside I have seen o2 sensor simulators offerred on USA Ebay which I am told fit the 2.5 Subaru engine. Does anyone have any info on these as a cure for troublesome lights ?
Cheers Ross

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Fri Feb 26, 2010 5:16 pm

Forget the o2 sensor for now, i doubt its causing your issues. (the o2 sensor issues where you need the simulator are for OBDII cars with twin o2 sensors)

There are 3 VDC lights.
The VDC operation light (picture of car with skid marks) It blinks when skid suppression is activated.
The VDC warning light (just VDC in bold letters) comes on when there is a malfunction in the VDC system.
The VDC off light (VDC OFF in bold letters) It comes on when the VDC OFF button is pressed. It also comes on when the VDC system in deactivated because of a malfunction.

The ABS light comes on when there is a malfunction. The ABS system shuts down under these conditions.

So my guess is that one of the sensors that both the ABS and VDC systems use is playing up.

Here are those scans

bowenarrow · Post by **bowenarrow** » Fri Feb 26, 2010 6:44 pm

Thanks suparoo that is extensive advice but unfortunately well beyond me. As I live just down the coast would you be interested in looking at the car as a job of work ?

Ross

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Fri Feb 26, 2010 6:57 pm

You are just south east of Taree?

Thats probably a little far for me to travel (3hrs each way) given my current work load.

Im more than happy though to help you via correspondence.

Have a good read of your owners manual, paying particular attention to the warning light section and the description of what and how the VDC system works. This may help you understand it a little better

bowenarrow · Post by **bowenarrow** » Fri Feb 26, 2010 7:32 pm

I was thinking of bringing the car to you even if it meant an o'night. I simply dont have the grey matter to fathom it all! Besides my son says I break all things electronic. Ross

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