Flashing check engine light

[theschley]

I have a 1999 Legacy wagon L the check engine light is flashing dose anyone have any ideas what I should check first . The car is still running good it idles a little ruff but dose not stall . Any ideas I would appreciate I have all ways thought it might be o2 sensor but I am stumped

[wtdash]

Hi and welcome to LC BBS,

How many miles?

Take it to your local auto parts store to get the CEL checked out. Autozone, for one, will scan it for free. Some will let you reset it, too.

If you've not done a tune-up recently, now would be a good time, so you know you're working from a good starting point.

Remember, Subie's like OEM plugs and wires (NGK) - don't cheap-out on those parts. Air filter, fuel filter, etc. should also be up to date.

[vrg3]

Don't go to a parts store -- You can read the codes yourself, and AutoZone wouldn't know what to do with your car anyway.

If the light is flashing, I think your test mode connectors are hooked up. Unplug them.

Read this: http://www.surrealmirage.com/subaru/eng ... #enginetip

EDIT: Nope, I didn't read -- see Td's correction below.

[wtdash]

No offense, Vikash, but his car is a '99 and will be OBD2/OBDII. The code readers @ Autozone, etc. are compatible w/them.

The newer stuff may have the green connectors, but I've not seen the black connectors on my '95-99 OBD2 Legacy/Outbacks/Foresters.

Thanks,
Td

[vrg3]

Oh, that's a dumb mistake. Sorry! I totally didn't read carefully enough. You're right; he can't pull the codes and AutoZone can. Thanks, Td.

Okay, putting on my OBD-II hat. Now. A flashing check engine light only means one thing: severe misfire. It's flashing because it's warning you that a lot of raw fuel may be getting into your catalytic converter, enough to damage the converter when it burns.

It sounds like you're only noticing the misfire at idle, but it might be happening at other engine speeds too. Get the code pulled like Td advises; there are different misfire trouble codes for different cylinders, so it might narrow the problem down to particular cylinders. You might also find trouble codes for sensors that are involved. Then go from there.

But get this checked out soon. This problem will likely eventually kill at least your upstream catalytic converter, and that can get expensive.

[theschley]

Thanks to all that replied I went to AutoZone had OBD11 and got codes said rich A/F blamed Heated O2 sensor Bank 1 sensor 1 before I could get it replaced driver side cylinder head froze up solid and timeingbelt striped at crank shaft it looks like when it froze it stopped the motor and trying to start it striped the belt just part around the crank now I am really hoping there is no piston damage from trying to start it. I can only find conflicting info on whether a 99 Legacy L 2.2l SOCH with 197,000 miles on it is interference or non interference engine. Any input in to whether I should rebuild this head or buy used one would be help full. I should get the head off later this week .

[wtdash]

HI,
The '99 is a Phase 2 EJ22 SOHC and is interference.....you'll need to pull the head to see whether the piston was damaged as well. The downside is the Phase 2 EJ22 was only used on the Legacy for '99, and on the Impreza 'from '99-2001, so they may be hard to find.

I had a similar issue on an EJ25 SOHC - also interference:
Broken valve:


Damaged piston:


GL,
Td

[theschley]

Thanks for the pics So did you fix it or grave yard it, and also did your cam shaft seize up.

[wtdash]

Thanks for the pics So did you fix it or grave yard it, and also did your cam shaft seize up.

I bought it for the short block, which I later found out was damaged- live and learn...so I parted it out. IIRC, yes it was a camshaft that seized.

TD