1998 subaru outback check engine light?

Your car's computer turns on the check engine light when it detects a fault. It is to your advantage to repair the fault(s) for both engine life, and fuel mileage.

Both systems, the EGR, and the knock sensor, are fairly important systems.

What I would do:

Go to your mechanic (who has a code reader), get him/her to clear all the codes stored in the computer, and re-set the computer. This will put the light out and from the re-set any new codes that show up are legitimate repair items. Both the EGR, and knock sensor, should last more than a year, if in fact they were replaced about a year ago.

It sounds to me like you should be looking for an independent Subaru mechanic, someone who knows both the cars and his stuff. I bought my Subaru 2 years ago, it came with a faulty knock sensor, I changed out the original 15 year old knock sensor (250,000 mile), and it has been no bother since, I don't have an EGR.

If this stuff was done a short time ago there is something wrong (and it's not with your car).

1998 Subaru Outback

1998 Subaru

This is normal for subarus. I have heard my uncle say once you hit so many miles the check engine light will come on. My dads old Hyundai would have this as well as my boyfriends Subaru. Take it to a dealer to double check but I'm pretty sure it's normal..

The knock sensor is a high failure item on subaru. I have seen bad new parts but it's rare with a dealership. The egr valve issue may be a clogged passage or tube or broken wire. Some techs just change parts. 600$ is a rip. You can change those parts with basic tools in less than an hour.

The check engine light Illuminates when the ECU detects an open or shorted sensor circuit (usually).Pop in to Repco and purchase a repair manual.It will advise you on how to locate the problem by "reading " the codes that the light is flashing.

write to subaru of america.. tell them the problems with the dealers replacing these parts.. over and over...

these parts do go bad, but they should check to see WHY they went bad.

when i worked for subaru as a technician, before we could warranty one of these items, we had to check WHY they went bad...

most of the time, there's a bad ground from the engine to the body.

can even be a bad ground to the ecm...

My check engine light goes on in my 99' Prizm every once in awhile. The first time it did I freaked and called Firestone, they said it was probably a loose gas cap so I unscrewed it and then screwed it in until I heard three clicks like they said. A couple days later it turned off. This morning it did it so I did the same thing. Firestone also told me the only time you really need to worry is if it starts blinking; if it does that they said to get off the road asap. If I were you I'd stop taking it in.....but that's just me.

i've had my check engine on for while now. I dealt with the same thing with someone always wanting to change something. My dad told me to just leave it because it may just be a sensor. The car runs great and I service it. I just leave it.

May be 02 sensor. my ford did same and sensor fixed. Diag will give error code to fix. Take to dealer as alot of ways to turnlight off but may be expensive to fix properly with the parts that are needed.