Help with my 96 subaru Legacy L

NYSpeed Automotive
1

Hey all, I just purchased my girlfriend a 96 Subaru Legacy L AWD. Very nice car for her, but I have just tried to get it inspected and I failed for p0500 (speed sensor) and P1101 (neutral Switch). This is very odd because The Tach, and cruise control work (which wouldn’t if the speed sensor was shot) and the car will start fine so it cannot be the neutral switch. I have checked the car with my OBD II reader and 0 codes come up. Also, I have noticed that my check engine light does not come on when the key is in the On position. I also hear a clicking sound from the steering column area as well. I was just wondering if this could be a bad ECU or something else.

Thanks for reading,
Greg

2

Maybe take it somewhere else for a 2nd opinion?

3

What you want to do is reset the codes,drive it around until the readiness monitors come on and as soon as they come on,get it inspected.

4

I have driven it around, reset the codes and still when they plug in their reader (and mine) it says its clean. But as soon as I get NYS hooked up to it, it throws 2 codes everytime and I have no idea why

5

Thats friggin’ wierd man. Maybe try another inspection shop like a Jiffy Lube that may be a bit less detailed…

In for results.

6

I went to Valvoline, I didnt think it could get less detailed than that lol

7

Not that weird
seen it many times. use a different scanner. For example my buddy brought me over his snap on scanner which read that all monitors were set, yet my OTC said they were not (Insp station also said not) . Has something to do with the communication protocol the scan tool uses. NYSI machine uses the same stuff as OTC

8

All 1996 subarus will pass inspection … this is a known issue with the rediness monitors … they never set … call nys

9

say whaaa? Wow what a headache. Good luck on the phone with ‘nys’

10

So I have the car currently at a repair shop, and still the same issue. Ill list it off:

  1. The car does NOT have a check engine light on when the Key is on with the engine off.
  2. The car does NOT have a check engine light when the car is on.
  3. After checking with 3 OBDII readers (2 of mine and 1 of the mechanic) it is showing 0 codes.
  4. It IS showing 4 monitors Not ready (driven over 100+ miles).
  5. Puchased Neutral switch but all items lead to switch being 100% fine (not going to replace since no code popping up for it).
  6. Codes that are in the NYS inspection computer failing the car are:
    a. P0501 - Vehicle Speed Sensor (A)
    b. P1101 - Neutral Safety Switch

I am stuck for a loss with my girlfriends car, It runs and drives perfect. I have found a few items online from, the EPA and from NJ but none from NY. Here is the information I have found:

1996 Subaru vehicles - Vehicles will clear readiness at key-off. There is no reprogramming
available for this line of vehicles. These vehicles should be scanned for MIL illumination
without regard to readiness status. Subaru Technical Service Bulletin #11-49-97R (see
Appendix F of this guidance).

http://www.njrec.org/Downloads/OBD_Probs2.pdf

So to say the least I am stuck with a car I need inspected and I have no idea what else to do or where else to go. I appreciate any and all input since we cannot afford a new vehicle at this time.

-Greg

11

There has got to be a shop that is on the board here that could help… anyone?

12

Update: Called the DMV yesterday, they are sending out a mechanic (obd2 expert) out of Buffalo to look at the car for free. Hopefully he can shed some light on this issue.