2008 ecm - Subaru Outback

2008wagon · 02-09-2011, 04:17 PM

Where is the ECM (processor, computer, whatever you wanna call it) on a 2008 2.5i?

And what components (besides the ECM of course) control the idle of these cars? Is there only the mass airflow and the drive by wire system to take care of it? I don't see an IAC on this thing.

plain OM · 02-10-2011, 07:27 AM

The ECM is under the carpet on the sloped (forward) portion of the front passenger floor, more or less below the glove box.

The ECM controls the engine speed, whether idling, running, on cruise control etc, by controlling the throttle (throttle plate position), the ignition timing, and the fuel delivery through the injectors. The ECM uses a wide range of inputs, including engine speed sensors (e.g. crank, camshaft), knock sensor, air intake temperature, accelerator position, and fuel sensors (e.g. O2) and based on its programming adjusts the outputs to the throttle, timing and fuel accordingly.

2008wagon · 02-10-2011, 09:50 AM

OK, underneath the carpet in that area, I see the ECM. I also saw a 2 pin connector...a male end and a female end....just hanging right there like it had somehow come unplugged. So I plugged them in.
Now I have a flashing engine light. What did I just do?
I've got a scan tool, so I can turn this light off, but I wanna know what plugging those connectors together did to cause it to flash in the first place?

**AWDFTW** · 02-10-2011, 11:22 AM

Were the connectors green? If so you just put the car in diagnostic mode. Unplug them.

2008wagon · 02-10-2011, 05:58 PM

Yes, they were green. I unplugged it and the light went off.

02-09-2011, 04:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
2008wagon Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ohio Car: 2008 Outback 2.5i, silver, 2.5 w/manual tranny Posts: 412 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	2008 ecm Where is the ECM (processor, computer, whatever you wanna call it) on a 2008 2.5i? And what components (besides the ECM of course) control the idle of these cars? Is there only the mass airflow and the drive by wire system to take care of it? I don't see an IAC on this thing.

02-10-2011, 11:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
AWDFTW Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Displaced to Chicago. Car: 2003 2.5 4EAT with AWP. Posts: 6,085 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Were the connectors green? If so you just put the car in diagnostic mode. Unplug them. __________________ 2003 Outback: "Kaylee". 128,000 and counting. Mods: GE Nighthawk low beams, HIR1 9011 high beam upgrade, Nokya 25k yellow fog lights, Fumoto valve, 04 Forester XT shift knob. Basics: G-Oil Bio-based Advanced Full Synthetic 5w30, Purolater oil filter, STP air filter, Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc ATF, Valvoline Durablend 80w90, Michelin Primacy MXV4. Also: More rust and parking lot scars than I care to think about.

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02-10-2011, 07:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
plain OM Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nepean ON Canada Car: 07 OBW 2.5i Touring (SE) D-4AT Posts: 7,050 Feedback Score: 2 reviews	The ECM is under the carpet on the sloped (forward) portion of the front passenger floor, more or less below the glove box. The ECM controls the engine speed, whether idling, running, on cruise control etc, by controlling the throttle (throttle plate position), the ignition timing, and the fuel delivery through the injectors. The ECM uses a wide range of inputs, including engine speed sensors (e.g. crank, camshaft), knock sensor, air intake temperature, accelerator position, and fuel sensors (e.g. O2) and based on its programming adjusts the outputs to the throttle, timing and fuel accordingly.

02-10-2011, 09:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
2008wagon Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ohio Car: 2008 Outback 2.5i, silver, 2.5 w/manual tranny Posts: 412 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	OK, underneath the carpet in that area, I see the ECM. I also saw a 2 pin connector...a male end and a female end....just hanging right there like it had somehow come unplugged. So I plugged them in. Now I have a flashing engine light. What did I just do? I've got a scan tool, so I can turn this light off, but I wanna know what plugging those connectors together did to cause it to flash in the first place?

02-10-2011, 05:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
2008wagon Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ohio Car: 2008 Outback 2.5i, silver, 2.5 w/manual tranny Posts: 412 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yes, they were green. I unplugged it and the light went off.

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