Check engine light on, car starts slow and doesn't accelerate - Subaru Outback

Subaru-chick · 01-05-2013, 01:17 PM

I just started my car and barely made it to the first light. The check engine light was blinking at first and then came on. The starter has been buggy/slow for a few days and now it barely runs or accelerates.

I had an oil change and tune up few weeks ago and all seemed fine and was running great after.

Battery? I'm afraid to drive it to the nearest auto parts store to get a diagnosis as I might get stuck on the road.

Any advise? I can't afford a mechanic so I will be fixing it myself once I figure out what the issue is. Hoping to get some advise here.

1 Lucky Texan · 01-05-2013, 01:53 PM

do you have a friend that coyld help you in any way?

one with a scanner to read the code(s)

or one that can help you take the battery in for testing?

Subaru-chick · 01-05-2013, 02:29 PM

Yeah, I have a friend that has that tool. Where could I get the battery tested at and how much does that cost?

RobLog · 01-05-2013, 02:53 PM

Most any auto parts store will test your battery for free ... if it fails, they want to sell you a new one.

If it turns out your alternator is bad, I would be very leery of auto parts store replacements ... they are not known for quality in any case, but with our cars they seem to be especially bad. You can get a rebuilt one from Subaru for a reasonable price, but you might have to allow for shipping time.

What is the year/model of your car?

Subaru-chick · 01-05-2013, 03:11 PM

Thank you for the advise!

It is Outback Legacy 1997. So I only need a voltage meter to test the alternator and battery myself?

RobLog · 01-05-2013, 04:07 PM

With the engine off, a charged battery will measure about 12.5 volts +/-.

With the engine running at idle speed, the alternator output should read about 14 volts +/-.

Make sure the battery cable connectors and battery posts are clean and tight and the battery cells have enough water to cover the lead plates.

Subaru-chick · 01-05-2013, 05:18 PM

I just ran the diagnostics tool and got error code P0300

It looks like there are a whole number of possible causes since this is a generic error code: OBD-II Trouble Code: P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected

Is it possible that somebody could have messed with my fuel tank? I have an angry neighbor situation at hand and he is a suspect. I know it sounds crazy but I would not put it past him for messing with my car.

**AWDFTW** · 01-05-2013, 06:04 PM

How old are your plugs?
Plug wires?
Miles on vehicle?

Subaru-chick · 01-05-2013, 07:00 PM

I'm not sure about the plugs or wires. They look pretty new to me. The mileage is 175,000.

I was thinking about trying to make it to a place like Pep Boys tomorrow. Would I be better off buying new plugs and installing them myself? Problem is I need to get to work with it soon..

1 Lucky Texan · 01-05-2013, 07:51 PM

post your city and maybe someone can recommend a shop that might be a little better than PepBpoys.

everyone has car trouble and a boss should be sympathetic if you miss a day or are late/have odd hours due to catching a ride with someone else.

01-05-2013, 01:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Subaru-chick Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Florida Car: Outback Legacy 1997 Posts: 11 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Check engine light on, car starts slow and doesn't accelerate I just started my car and barely made it to the first light. The check engine light was blinking at first and then came on. The starter has been buggy/slow for a few days and now it barely runs or accelerates. I had an oil change and tune up few weeks ago and all seemed fine and was running great after. Battery? I'm afraid to drive it to the nearest auto parts store to get a diagnosis as I might get stuck on the road. Any advise? I can't afford a mechanic so I will be fixing it myself once I figure out what the issue is. Hoping to get some advise here.

01-05-2013, 01:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
1 Lucky Texan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: behind the Krell Metal door Car: 03 H6 OBW & 06 WRX Sportwagon Posts: 4,262 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	do you have a friend that coyld help you in any way? one with a scanner to read the code(s) or one that can help you take the battery in for testing? __________________ Time Flies Like an Arrow, Fruit Flies Like a Banana!

01-05-2013, 02:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
RobLog Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oregon Car: 1997 OBW 2.5L Auto and 1991 Ford F150 Posts: 1,226 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Most any auto parts store will test your battery for free ... if it fails, they want to sell you a new one. If it turns out your alternator is bad, I would be very leery of auto parts store replacements ... they are not known for quality in any case, but with our cars they seem to be especially bad. You can get a rebuilt one from Subaru for a reasonable price, but you might have to allow for shipping time. What is the year/model of your car? __________________ RL Draining and Replacing Coolant and Thermostat

01-05-2013, 04:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
RobLog Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oregon Car: 1997 OBW 2.5L Auto and 1991 Ford F150 Posts: 1,226 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	With the engine off, a charged battery will measure about 12.5 volts +/-. With the engine running at idle speed, the alternator output should read about 14 volts +/-. Make sure the battery cable connectors and battery posts are clean and tight and the battery cells have enough water to cover the lead plates. __________________ RL Draining and Replacing Coolant and Thermostat

01-05-2013, 06:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
AWDFTW Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Displaced to Chicago. Car: 2003 2.5 4EAT with AWP. Posts: 6,005 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	How old are your plugs? Plug wires? Miles on vehicle? __________________ 2003 Outback: "Kaylee". 125,000 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.

01-05-2013, 02:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
Subaru-chick Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Florida Car: Outback Legacy 1997 Posts: 11 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yeah, I have a friend that has that tool. Where could I get the battery tested at and how much does that cost?

01-05-2013, 03:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Subaru-chick Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Florida Car: Outback Legacy 1997 Posts: 11 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thank you for the advise! It is Outback Legacy 1997. So I only need a voltage meter to test the alternator and battery myself?

01-05-2013, 05:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
Subaru-chick Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Florida Car: Outback Legacy 1997 Posts: 11 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I just ran the diagnostics tool and got error code P0300 It looks like there are a whole number of possible causes since this is a generic error code: OBD-II Trouble Code: P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected Is it possible that somebody could have messed with my fuel tank? I have an angry neighbor situation at hand and he is a suspect. I know it sounds crazy but I would not put it past him for messing with my car.

01-05-2013, 07:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
Subaru-chick Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Florida Car: Outback Legacy 1997 Posts: 11 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I'm not sure about the plugs or wires. They look pretty new to me. The mileage is 175,000. I was thinking about trying to make it to a place like Pep Boys tomorrow. Would I be better off buying new plugs and installing them myself? Problem is I need to get to work with it soon..

01-05-2013, 07:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
1 Lucky Texan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: behind the Krell Metal door Car: 03 H6 OBW & 06 WRX Sportwagon Posts: 4,262 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	post your city and maybe someone can recommend a shop that might be a little better than PepBpoys. everyone has car trouble and a boss should be sympathetic if you miss a day or are late/have odd hours due to catching a ride with someone else. __________________ Time Flies Like an Arrow, Fruit Flies Like a Banana!

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