m sprank Posted October 9, 2011 Share Posted October 9, 2011 How to Read Diagnostic Trouble Codes on 2005 thru 2009 Subaru Legacy and Outback The 2005 thru 2009 model year Legacy and Outback can display Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) directly on the dashboard. No scan tool is needed. No jumper wires are required, and it is not necessary to count blinking lights. The codes are displayed in plain text on the instrument cluster. Trouble codes from the ECM (Engine Control Module), TCM (Transmission Control Module) and ABSCM/VDCCM (ABS or VDC Control Module) are displayed. This procedure was distilled from the FSM. The English translation in the FSM is not very good, so I have attempted to make it easier to follow. The FSM has this procedure in the Body Section, Instrument/Driver Information, Combination Meter System chapter. Some notes before starting: - I believe this procedure will work for all 2005 to 2009 Legacys and Outbacks. However, I have only tested the procedure on a 2005 Legacy 2.5i 4EAT and a 2008 Legacy GT 5EAT. - I don't know of a way to reset the codes without a scan tool. Disconnecting the battery may or may not work. - Exactly what you will see depends on what type of display your car has. The Procedure Starting condition: key off, headlight switch off. Steps 1 through 7 must be performed within 10 seconds. 1. Turn key to ON position. This is the normal running position, the click just before starting, when all the lights on the dash come on, but before you twist to START. Don't start the engine! 2. Within 3 seconds, turn the headlight switch ON. 3. Press the Trip/Odometer button 4 times. 4. Turn the headlight switch OFF. 5. Press the Trip/Odometer button 4 times. 6. Turn headlight swtich ON. 7. Press Trip/Odometer button 4 times. At this point, the DTC display will begin. 8. Turn headlight switch OFF. Not necessary for the procedure, but your display may be dimmed and hard to read in bright sunlight. Besides, why drain the battery? The DTCs for each module will display in order: ECM, TCM, ABSCM/VDCCM. Press the Trip/Odometer button to cycle between modules. The FSM states that the display will cycle between modules automatically every three seconds if the button is not pushed, but that did not happen in my car - I had to push the button to cycle the display. For each module, there are three display states: - Receiving DTC from module (blinking "P" or "C") - DTC detected & displayed ("P" or "C" followed by 4 digits) - No DTC found ("P" or "C" followed by "----") If there is a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus communication error, you will see only "----" in the display. Basically, that means that the network in your car is broken. That will need to be repaired before anything else can be done. Notes - TCM error codes will not be displayed for cars with manual transmissions. The TCM display state will remain in "Receiving DTC" (blinking "P" on display). In my case, my car is an automatic, but the blinking "P" remained, possibly because I have no codes set. - To cancel the DTC display, turn the key to OFF. - If the engine is started, the DTC display will remain until the car starts to move. (I did not test this) - Past DTCs that have been repaired will be displayed until the engine is started 3 times. (I did not test this) Instructions for Manuals Look up into the fuse box area. Connectors are usually taped up by drivers left leg (to the right once looking inside fuse box). Connect the plugs together. Turn the key to the "on" position. When the gauges are sweeping, press the trip/odometer button on the dash once for DTC display mode and twice for self diagnostic mode. In DTC mode, the error messages and codes are the same as above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newlisbonlegacy Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 I just tried this on my 05 LGT Limited and it didnt work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 You did something wrong (if it is an AT). I have tested on 05-09 5EAT cars. Never tested on a MT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finfin Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 I have a manual transmission and I can't get this to work at all. Does anyone know what I need to do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 Yes, I have instructions for manuals now too. I can try to get them posted up, or shoot me an email. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finfin Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 WONDERFUL!!!! I can't wait. I almost made my index finger bleed trying the one you posted above on a MT. lol I sent you an email! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted August 23, 2012 Author Share Posted August 23, 2012 Manual instructions posted now. You must go into the fuse box and connect the white plugs together to go into DTC display mode. Takes an extra few minutes, but still very easy. I have tested this on several manuals already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drift Motion Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 this is the same as reading the code off of the OBD-II port right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted August 23, 2012 Author Share Posted August 23, 2012 No. You can not read DTC (Chassis, ABS, TCU) codes from the OBDII port. This lets you see those codes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finfin Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 That's all? No pushing buttons til you bleed? Cool. Now I hope I can find the white plugs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finfin Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 What would happen if this were left connected? Any problems with leaving it connected? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finfin Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 OK! found the wires and got the code. Where is a comprehensive list for codes? I found what it is at : http://www.wellsve.com/custom_searches/abs_troublecodes.php?make=Subaru&model=Legacy&year=2005&code=C0101&submit.x=55&submit.y=29&submit=Submit&confirm=1 It would be nice to have a code list to save. Hint-Hint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted August 23, 2012 Author Share Posted August 23, 2012 Codes are listed in the vacation pix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finfin Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 OH MY! Thank you SO much!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finfin Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 Here are the taped up wires in the red square. I took the side of the dash off and loosened the "under dash" area up a little too. The wires are inside the red square: Remove the blue tape and use the two white ones: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finfin Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 I'm thinking about putting this on a dash switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FJuan Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 Very good information, thanks Mike. My wife's balls are delicious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted January 1, 2014 Author Share Posted January 1, 2014 http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=171328&d=1388592819 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ako555 Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Can you post the codes please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted March 18, 2014 Author Share Posted March 18, 2014 See post #13. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewbabich Posted June 18, 2014 Share Posted June 18, 2014 I have an 05 legacy with MT and the instructions work great. I have car that won't run and i have these three codes. P---- P (flashing) and C0105 The C0105 is a right rear wheel sensor error, but I don't think thats why my car won't run. I defintinely also have an ER HC code showing high speed CAN communication issues but its not showing right now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share Posted June 18, 2014 I have seen AT cars with a front wheel sensor error that would not run. Replaced the wheel bearing and everything worked again. ER HC is a generic can bus comm error. Could be related to the C0105. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEE-OTTO Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 What is the cause of a flashing P with no numbers following it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 No DTC found. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEE-OTTO Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 no dtc found. yes yes yes !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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