[plain OM]

I thought this had been posted here as a separate thread, but couldn’t find anything other than links to USMB, so thought I’d start a new thread to complement http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums...-trouble-codes-dtcs.html?highlight=read+codes.

(If this information is already in a DIY thread, then let me know and I’ll delete this one.)

On the 4EAT phase 1 (pre-approx. 1999) and early phase II 4EAT (approx. 1999 to approx. 2004), this procedure for extracting stored AT transmission trouble codes should work (information is from related service manuals):

PERFORM READ DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE
CODE (DTC).

1) Warm-up the engine.
2) Turn ignition switch to OFF.
3) Turn ignition switch to ON.
4) Start the engine.
5) Drive vehicle at speeds greater than 20 km/h (12 MPH).
6) Stop vehicle.
7) Brake pedal depressed and move select lever to 1 range.
8) Turn ignition switch to OFF.
9) Turn ignition switch to ON.
10) Move select lever 2 range.
11) Move select lever 1 range.
12) Move select lever 2 range.
13) Move select lever 3 range.
14) Move select lever D range.

At this point the AT Oil Temp light will do one of three things: flash at a two flashes/second rate indicating there are no stored codes (“normal”); flash more rapidly at a 4 flashes/second rate indicating a power supply problem (less likely); or, flash with long and short flashes which is indicating the stored codes, with the long flashes representing “10”s, and the short flashes “1”s, as illustrated here:

The flashing is terminated when the key is turned to Off.

There are two lists of trouble codes, one for the Phase I and a longer one for the early Phase II.

Phase I

11 Line pressure duty solenoid. Short or Disconnection in solenoid driving circuit
12 Lockup duty solenoid. Short or disconnection in solenoid driving circuit
13 2-4 brake timing solenoid. Short or disconnection in solenoid driving circuit
14 Shift solenoid B. Short or disconnection in solenoid driving circuit
15 Shift solenoid A. Short or disconnection in solenoid driving circuit
16 2-4 brake duty solenoid. Short or disconnection in solenoid driving circuit
21 ATF temperature sensor. Short or disconnection in input circuit
22 Pressure sensor. Short or disconnection in input circuit
23 Engine speed signal. No signal input above 10km/h
24 Transfer duty solenoid. Short or disconnection in solenoid driving circuit
25 Engine torque control signal. Short or disconnection in engine torque control signal circuit
31 Throttle sensor. Short or disconnection in input circuit
32 Vehicle speed sensor 1. No signal input to speed sensor 1 above 20km/h
33 Vehicle speed sensor 2. No signal input to speed Sensor 2 above 20km/h
34 Turbine sensor. No signal input in ranges other than N range
36 Low clutch timing solenoid. Short or disconnection in solenoid driving circuit

Phase II

11 Engine speed signal. Detects open or shorted input signal circuit.
27 ATF temperature sensor. Detects open or shorted input signal circuit.
31 Throttle position sensor. Detects open or shorted input signal circuit.
33 Front vehicle speed sensor. Detects open or shorted input signal circuit.
36 Torque converter turbine speed sensor. Detects open or shorted input signal circuit.
38 Torque control signal. Detects open or shorted input signal circuit.
45 Intake manifold pressure signal. Detects open or shorted input signal circuit.
71 Shift solenoid 1. Detects open or shorted output signal circuit.
72 Shift solenoid 2. Detects open or shorted output signal circuit.
73 Low clutch timing solenoid. Detects open or shorted output signal circuit.
74 2-4 brake timing solenoid. Detects open or shorted output signal circuit.
75 Line pressure duty solenoid. Detects open or shorted output signal circuit.
76 2-4 brake duty solenoid. Detects open or shorted output signal circuit.
77 Lock-up duty solenoid. Detects open or shorted output signal circuit.
78 SPORT shift solenoid. Detects open or shorted output signal circuit.
79 Transfer duty solenoid. Detects open or shorted output signal circuit.
86 VDC communication signal. Detects open or shorted input signal circuit.
93 Rear vehicle speed sensor. Detects open or shorted input signal circuit.

Hope this helps . . .

 

[Luke Stroobants]

ok im a noob when it come to checking codes dont know if i counted right i had four solid blinks then 10 fast blinks either im one off on the fast ones or does the fast ones count would have costed me 109.90 at subaru just for them to run a diagnostic dont want to pay that so any help or videos posted on how to do this would be much appreciated i just erased a tps code cause im having issues with the car not wanting to shift up wanted to see if it would pop back up it will not shift automatically i can shift manually and it runs good well besides bad 02s

 

[Pugwash]

I have that info from somewhere. BUT!!! I bought a $7 Bluetooth ELM 27 code reader from Ebay, and a free "Torque" app for my phone and it is SO much easier, to read and reset codes, along with the additional gauges that you can see and read.

 

[rouser]

Wow. great post. Hopefully I won't need it as i have a (cheap) code reader i use.

 

[MolBasser]

1) Warm-up the engine.
2) Turn ignition switch to OFF.
3) Turn ignition switch to ON.
4) Start the engine.
5) Drive vehicle at speeds greater than 20 km/h (12 MPH).
6) Stop vehicle.
7) Brake pedal depressed and move select lever to 1 range.
8) Turn ignition switch to OFF.
9) Turn ignition switch to ON.
10) Move select lever 2 range.
11) Move select lever 1 range.
12) Move select lever 2 range.
13) Move select lever 3 range.
14) Move select lever D range.

Couple of questions about the procedure.

General: My key has Lock, Acc, On, Start. Can I assume that "off" in this protocol is "Lock"?
In step 5, how far/long do you need to drive.
At the end all the chimes and starting lights are on, will they halt or will they continue?


I briefly tried to do this in the driveway after getting home (didn't precisely follow protocol obviously) and only went to Acc and it didn't work.

Thanks.

MolBasser

 

[plain OM]

My key has Lock, Acc, On, Start. Can I assume that "off" in this protocol is "Lock"?

Yes
Note: The instructions are from the factory service manuals and other forum posts. I don't have a car from those years and haven't done it myself.

In step 5, how far/long do you need to drive.

Probably enough for the transmission control module to identify and record any faults, so accelerating through all the gears a few times, and decelerating with it downshifting, and perhaps a short reversal.

At the end all the chimes and starting lights are on, will they halt or will they continue?

I'm not clear at what point it is that happens. Nothing mentioned in the FSMs, but I would imagine when the ignition switch is finally turned to Off (Lock) whatever was on should go off, and when the ignition is turned on again all should be normal.

 

[MolBasser]

Thanks for that. Tried again in the parking lot at work doing everything but reverse.

I can never get my key to the lock position due to the inhibitor that limits key position when your are not in Park.
Other than that I followed every step the best I could and there was no response (ie the at oil temp light was on the whole time and never changed after I put the key into the on position the last time).

I will search for a way to get the key to off when the car is still gear. Maybe neutral?

MolBasser

 

[plain OM]

I can never get my key to the lock position due to the inhibitor that limits key position when your are not in Park.

Interesting. Yes, the key can't be moved to OFF with the shifter not in P.

No one has mentioned that, and I know the technique has been used successfully but I don't recall what model years those involved. Also, as the title notes, it's not clear what late 1990s it will work with. 1998 might not be included.

 

[MolBasser]

I guess I might be unlucky. Someone has done it with a 98 Forester on the Forester forum. I'll try again this weekend. Its going to transmission show on monday anyway to deal with the drive shaft and get an estimate. I'll just have them figure out the code. But it is always fun to try this stuff yourself first.

I appreciate your quick replies and help.

The beer offer still stands, but that is a hell of a hike from Ontario....

MolBasser