P0600, Limp mode, ER HC, ER SS

5209 Views 69 Replies 10 Participants Last post by AnotherSubaruGuy, 1 mo ago

AnotherSubaruGuy

Discussion Starter · 7 mo ago

2008 Outback 2.5i Limited w/ VDC. When I put the car into drive it moves forward but when I press the gas it just revs, it will accelerate under its own power and allow some throttle response once moving but if I give it too much gas it just revs higher. This is especially problematic when making a sharp turn, causing the car to be undrivable on public roads.

Background on the car: The guy I bought the car from said it needed a transmission. I found it had the WRONG transmission in it (one without VDC, code TZ1B8LFEBA) so I replaced it with the proper transmission (with VDC, code TV1B8MFEBA) and got 1,500 miles out of the replacement. I was driving, made a turn, the car revved without acceleration for a few seconds and slammed super hard into gear and threw all the dash lights. I limped back down the highway about 3 miles to my shop and that was that. Scanned and had a code for a pressure control solenoid (can't remember exact code) and decided to just replace the trans again.

I installed the next used replacement, and the first drive seemed like a big improvement until it got up to full temp and started doing the things mentioned in the first paragraph. Last time I scanned it I had codes C0045, C0022, C0052, no Pxxxx codes stored in the ECM or TCM. I figured there's no way this thing is just spitting out trannys so I replaced the TCM and it's still not fixed. Fluid level looks good and no noticeable faults in the wiring. Where else do I look or how do I go about about testing things? Any input is appreciated.

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seagrass

· #7 · 7 mo ago

Do not overthink the problem.

Subaru modules (ECU, TCU, VDC, BIU, etc) rarely fail. You are far more likely to be having a problem with wiring, electrical connectors or earth/ground connections.

As you mention you have communication problems you need to start with battery. battery cables, and the eight to ten ground/earth connections in the engine bay. These connections all need to be clean, tight and free of corrosion.

You need to remove all the ground/earth connections and clean the earth connector and vehicle frame where the connector bolts to. There are two earth/ground connections on the inlet manifold, one on the firewall, one from each head to the frame rail, one to each side of the engine bay and the main earth/ground cable from the battery.

Once you have all these clean you need to test the battery using a CCA tester and compare the actual CCA of the battery to the rated CCA. This will give you a pass or fail result.

All of the modules and sensors on a Subaru rely on good ground/earth connections to work properly. Bad/poor ground/earth connections equals multiple communication problems.

Seagrass

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seagrass

· #9 · 7 mo ago

AnotherSubaruGuy said:
Thank you guys for the input, I will start checking grounds and more fuses tomorrow. The only thing that has me leaning on a fried module is the fact that the wrong transmission was installed by the previous owner and the car was driven maybe 200 miles with the non VDC trans in it.

It is doubtful that the wrong transmission would cause a transmission control module to fail.

It is far more likely for a transmission to fail with the wrong TCU as the TCU would be failing to control the transmission correctly.

Seagrass

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seagrass

· #14 · 7 mo ago

None of these codes refer to the transmission. They are all “C” codes which are loss of communication to varying modules.

The brake, AWD and traction control lights (often with others) are displayed to alert you the vehicle monitoring systems have detected a problem. The lights that are on in the instrument cluster also show which vehicle systems are now no longer functioning. These systems are disabled to protect those systems and to try and prevent further damage.

The C0071 code is a steering angle sensor code,

The C0047 and C0051 codes are both ABS codes. These codes may be the result of you having the vehicle in the air and applying the brakes (just a thought and this may not be the case).

I suggest you disconnect the battery for around 15 minutes to reset the ECU (or reset with your scan tool if you have one) and then monitor what happens when you next drive the vehicle.

Seagrass

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seagrass

· #17 · 7 mo ago

Once you get a DTC the vehicle goes into “limp mode” with reduced power and and many “safety features” are disabled.

You need to diagnose why you are getting the “C” codes, resolve that problem and then go on to the next problem.

As I said previously “C” codes are communication codes (loss of communication with sensor or module). These are typically caused by electrical problems (battery, earth/ground, wiring or connectors). Follow the codes to find the cause of the problem.

Seagrass

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seagrass

· #25 · 6 mo ago

5 ohms is not “high” but it is too high for this system.

Resistance like this is typically in a connector so I would disconnect and then reconnect any connectors in the harness on the TCM circuit and then re-test. Look for corrosion when you disconnect the connectors.

Seagrass

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