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Pulling Trouble Codes
Prior to 1996 when OBDII was standardized, the Subaru SVX had methods of retrieving trouble codes that didn't require a scanner. Click the links below to see the on-board diagnostics for each system.
How to Pull Check Engine Light Codes
The "Check Engine" light indicates engine codes. Long blinks = 10, short blinks = 1. In other words, two long and two short blinks is a code 22. One long and one short is code 11.
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The following self diagnosis will show any fault codes for the engine:
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Remove the kick panel just beside the left foot rest on the driver's side.
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Locate blue wires.
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Locate black connector (smaller of the 2 black ones). Hold it notch up.
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With ignition off, insert one of the wires into top row, 2nd pin from left.
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Turn key to on position, but do not start the car.
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Count the blinks from check engine light on dashboard.
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To clear codes (after problem has been resolved):
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With engine off, stick the blue wires to 1st and 2nd pin in the top row counting from left on the black connector, with notch facing up.
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Turn ignition on (with car off). The check engine light should come on.
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Fully depress the accelerator pedal, and then return it to a half-depressed position and hold it there for 2 seconds. Fully release accelerator.
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Start the engine.
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Drive the car at least 7mph for over a minute. Warm up engine above 2000rpm.
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The check engine light should blink indicating that the codes have been cleared.
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Read codes to make sure they are clear. No codes = steady blinks at 1/4 second intervals.
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List of ECU Trouble Codes
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Trouble Code | Item | Diagnosis |
|---|---|---|
11 | Crank Angle Sensor 1 | No signal from crank angle sensor 1 for more than 3 seconds after start switch on. |
12 | Starter Switch | Abnormal signal from ignition switch. |
13 | Cam Angle Sensor | No signal from cam angle sensor, but signal from crank angle sensor 1. |
14 | Injector #1 | Fuel injector inoperative.
(Abnormal signal from monitor circuit.) |
15 | Injector #2 | Fuel injector inoperative.
(Abnormal signal from monitor circuit.) |
16 | Injector #3 | Fuel injector inoperative.
(Abnormal signal from monitor circuit.) |
17 | Injector #4 | Fuel injector inoperative.
(Abnormal signal from monitor circuit.) |
18 | Injector #5 | Fuel injector inoperative.
(Abnormal signal from monitor circuit.) |
19 | Injector #6 | Fuel injector inoperative.
(Abnormal signal from monitor circuit.) |
21 | Water Temp Sensor | Abnormal signal from water temperature sensor. |
22 | Knock Sensor 1 (RH) | Abnormal voltage in knock sensor monitor circuit. |
23 | Air Flow Sensor | Abnormal voltage from air flow sensor. |
24 | By-pass Air Control Solenoid Valve | By-pass air control solenoid valve inoperative.
(Abnormal signal in monitor circuit.) |
28 | Knock Sensor 2 (LH) | Abnormal voltage in knock sensor monitor circuit. |
29 | Crank Angle Sensor 2 | No signal from crank angle sensor 2, but two signals from crank angle sensor 1. |
31 | Throttle Position Sensor | Abnormal voltage from throttle sensor. |
32 | Oxygen Sensor 1 (RH) | O2 sensor 1 inoperative. |
33 | Vehical Speed Sensor 2 | No signal from vehicle speed sensor 2. |
34 | EGR Solenoid Valve | EGR solenoid valve inoperative. |
35 | Purge Control Solenoid Valve | Purge control solenoid valve inoperative. |
37 | Oxygen Sensor 2 (LH) | O2 sensor 2 inoperative. |
38 | Engine Torque Control | Wiring harness between ECU and TCU is in short circuit. |
41 | A/F Learning Control | Faulty learning control function. |
45 | Atmospheric Pressure Sensor | Faulty atmospheric pressure sensor inside ECU. |
51 | Neutral Switch | Abnormal signal from inhibitor switch. |
52 | Parking Switch | Abnormal signal from parking switch. |
55 | EGR Gas Temp Sensor (CAL.) | Abnormal signal from EGR gas temperature sensor. |
56 | EGR System (CAL.) | EGR valve open/close stick, EGR hose disconnect or exhaust pressure valve damaged. |
How to Pull Transmission Codes
The "Power" light indicates transmission codes. Long blinks = 10, short blinks = 1. In other words, two long and two short blinks is a code 22. One long and one short is code 11.
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To perform the self diagnosis test for EXISTING problems:
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Warm up engine by driving at speeds greater than 12mph.
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Stop vehicle and turn ignition switch OFF.
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Turn ignition switch ON and make sure POWER indicator lamp comes on.
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Turn ignition switch OFF.
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Move selector lever to D and turn manual switch ON.
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Turn ignition switch ON.
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Move selector lever to "3" and turn manual switch OFF.
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Move selector level to "2" and turn manual switch ON.
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Move selector lever to "1" and turn manual switch OFF.
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Partially depress accelerator pedal (to turn idle switch off).
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Check code as displayed on POWER light. Blinking once every 1/4sec is normal.
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To perform the self diagnosis test for PREVIOUS problems:
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Warm up engine by driving at speeds greater than 12mph.
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Stop vehicle and turn ignition switch OFF.
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Turn ignition switch ON and make sure POWER indicator lamp comes on.
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Turn ignition switch OFF.
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Move selector lever to "1" and turn manual switch ON.
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Turn ignition switch ON.
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Move selector lever to "2" and turn manual switch OFF.
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Move selector lever to "3" and turn manual switch ON.
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Move selector lever to "D" and turn manual switch OFF.
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Partially depress accelerator pedal (to turn idle switch off).
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Check code as displayed on POWER light. Blinking once every 1/4sec is normal.
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List of TCU Trouble Codes
Trouble Code | Item |
|---|---|
11 | Duty Solenoid A |
12 | Duty Solenoid B |
13 | Shift Solenoid 3 |
14 | Shift Solenoid 2 |
15 | Shift Solenoid 1 |
21 | ATF Temperature Sensor |
22 | Atmospheric Sensor |
23 | Engine Revolution Signal |
24 | Duty Solenoid C |
31 | Throttle Position Sensor |
32 | Vehicle Speed Sensor 1 |
33 | Vehicle Speed Sensor 2 |
How to Pull ABS Codes
The "ABS" instrument panel light indicates the existance of an ABS code(s). However, it does not indicate the code(s) itself. There is an LED on the ABS control unit (located under the right front seat) that will indicate the detected code. Unlike the other codes the ABS control unit will blink the exact code. There is no long/short blink.
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The following self diagnosis will show any fault codes for the engine:
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Drive the vehicle at speeds greater then 30kph/19mph for at least one minute. The vehicle must be stopped with the engine running.
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If a problem is detected the ABS warning light in the instrument panel will come on. Approximately 5 - 12 seconds after the warning light has come on, the ABS control unit LED will flash the error code.
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Note: Both the warning light and the LED remain activated unless the ignition is turned off. Turning the ignition off will erase any codes stored in memory.
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Note: Only one trouble code is displayed at a time. If multiple problems exist only the first problem detected is displayed.
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List of ABS Trouble Codes
Trouble Code | Diagnosis |
|---|---|
0 (LED Off) | Improper power line voltage or faulty harness |
1 | Left Front Wheel Control -Broken or shorted solenoid valve circuit(s) in hydraulic unit |
2 | Right Front Wheel Control -Broken or shorted solenoid valve circuit(s) in hydraulic unit |
3 | Right Rear Wheel Control -Broken or shorted solenoid valve circuit(s) in hydraulic unit |
4 | Left Rear Wheel Control -Broken or shorted solenoid valve circuit(s) in hydraulic unit |
5 | Faulty Wheel ABS Sensor (LF) |
6 | Faulty Wheel ABS Sensor (RF) |
7 | Faulty Wheel ABS Sensor (RR) |
8 | Faulty Wheel ABS Sensor (LR) |
9 | Faulty motor and/or motor relay or broken or shorted harness circuit |
10 | Faulty valve relay or broken or shorted harness circuit or interrupted ABS (causing brakes to function as a conventional brake system)
Unidentified fault that is not equivalent to trouble codes 1 - 16 |
16 | Faulty ABS control unit or broken or shorted harness circuit or malfunctioning system or line unidentified by vehicle ABS sensor fail-safe function |
How to Pull Power Seatbelt Codes
The seatbelt warning light indicates a problem with the automatic seatbelt system. Long blinks = 10, short blinks = 1. In other words, two long and two short blinks is a code 22. One long and one short is code 11.
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The following self diagnosis will show any fault codes for the seatbelt system:
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Turn ignition switch on (with engine off).
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Connect DIAG terminal to the number 8 terminal of the diagnosis connector.
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Check in accordance with the trouble code outputted by the seatbelt warning light.
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Normal operation is indicated by an on 0.5 seconds, off 0.7 seconds, on 0.5 seconds interval. The flash will occur immediately after the ignition switch is turned on.
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List of Seatbelt Trouble Codes
Trouble Code | Diagnosis |
|---|---|
11 | Open and closed ends of driver's side door latch switch are ON |
12 | Open and closed ends of driver's side door latch switch are OFF |
13 | Front limit switch on driver's side remains ON |
14 | Rear limit switch on driver's side remains ON |
15 | Front and rear limit switches on driver's side are OFF |
16 | Shoulder belt buckle switch and front limit switch on driver's side are OFF |
21 | Open and closed ends of passenger's side door latch are ON |
22 | Open and closed ends of passenger's side door latch are OFF |
23 | Front limit switch on passenger's side remains ON |
24 | Front limit switch on passenger's side remains OFF |
25 | Front and rear limit switches on passengers side are OFF |
26 | Shoulder belt buckle switch and front limit switch on passenger's side are OFF |
32 | Ignition switch is ON with battery power left OFF |
How to Pull Climate Control Codes
There is no light indicating any problems with the climate control system. There is a method to pull any error codes from the system.
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The following self diagnosis will show any fault codes for the climate control system:
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Run the car until the engine is warmed up to at least 104F/40C then turn off the engine.
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While holding both "AUTO" and "OFF" on the climate control system turn the key on.
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Any codes detected will be shown on the temperature display.
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NOTE: An error code 13 will always be returned if these steps are not performed in clear daylight as the sun load sensor requires a certain amount of light to be considered operational.
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NOTE: Anytime codes 13, 33, 34 or 35 are displayed, the condition is one which is currently occurring.
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List of Climate Control Trouble Codes
Trouble Code | Item | Status |
|---|---|---|
00 | No Errors | Operational |
11 | In-vehicle Sensor | Open |
21 | In-vehicle Sensor | Shorted |
12 | Ambient Sensor | Open |
22 | Ambient Sensor | Shorted |
13 | Sun Load Sensor | Open |
23 | Sun Load Sensor | Shorted |
14 | Evaporator Sensor | Open |
24 | Evaporator Sensor | Shorted |
15 | Refrigerant Temp Sensor | Open |
25 | Refrigerant Temp Sensor | Shorted |
16 | Water Temp Sensor | Open |
26 | Water Temp Sensor | Shorted |
31 | Air Mix Door | Faulty |
32 | Mode Door | Faulty |
33 | Mix Door Motor | Faulty Engine |
34 | Mode Door Motor | Faulty Engine |
35 | Intake Door Motor | Faulty Engine |
How to Pull Power Steering Codes
The "STEER-ING" light indicates a problem with the power steering system.
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The following self diagnosis will show any fault codes for the power steering system:
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Turn ignition switch off
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Connect either of the 2 blue wires to the diagnosis connector terminal:
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No. 5 - TEST (D-Check)
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No. 6 - READ MEMORY
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No. 7 - DIAGNOSIS
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Turn ignition switch on and read the code
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NOTE: No blinking indicates a functioning system.
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The following method will clear any fault codes for the power steering system:
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Turn ignition switch off
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Connect both blue wires, one to No. 5 and the other to No. 6
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Start engine
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Disconnect both blue wires
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List of Power Steering Trouble Codes
Trouble Code | Diagnosis |
|---|---|
1 | Shorted solenoid system circuit |
2 | Open in solenoid system circuit |
3 | Faulty vehicle sensor 2 system |
4 | Faulty back-up power supply |
5 | Engine speed signal system (including EGI ECU) |
How to Pull Air Bag Codes
The "AIR BAG" light indicates a problem with the SRS system.
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The following self diagnosis will show any fault codes for the SRS system:
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Turn ignition switch off
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Connect either of the 2 blue wires to the diagnosis connector terminal:
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No. 9 - Diagnostic Terminal (SRS)
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Turn ignition switch on and read the code
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Note: Many of the listed malfunctions for an airbag code are listed for several codes. This is because Subaru has a series of diagnostic tests for each code that require a special test harness that most people don't have access to. The factory service manual goes into more detail about each of these tests and can be found in our Resources section.
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The following method will clear any fault codes for the SRS system:
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Connect remaining diagnostic terminal to terminal No. 3 for 3 seconds while AIR BAG warning light is flashing.
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Disconnect both diagnostic terminals from diagnostic connector.
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List of Air Bag/SRS Trouble Codes
Trouble Code | Possible Diagnosis |
|---|---|
Light Stays On | AIR BAG Light is faulty, Harness to light is faulty, Ground circuit fault,
Faulty Control Unit,
AB1 & B58 not connected properly. |
Light Stays Off | Blown fuse #15,
Body harness circuit open,
Light is faulty,
Main harness is faulty,
Faulty Control Unit. |
2 | Short in: front sensor harness, Airbag main harness, and module harness, roll over connector, or faulty control unit. |
3 | Open circuit in: Front sensor harness or front sensor unit. |
11 | Fuse #8 blown,
Faulty Control Unit,
Open circuit in main or body harness. |
12 | Clockspring circuit is open, Faulty Control Unit,
Open in main or module harness. |
13 | Short in clockspring circuit or main harness or module harness,
Faulty Control Unit |
14 | Bad connector connection at Control Unit or Air Bag Module |
21 | Air Bag Control Unit defective |
23 | Power supply short in: main harness, front impact sensor harness, or clockspring,
Module harness damaged, Faulty Control Unit |
31 | Fuse #16 blown,
Open circuit in body harness or main harness,
Faulty Control Unit. |