bikepdx

Hi Everyone,

New forester owner here. Got a 2004 XT, and have tons of questions. Not really sure where I need to post to get the info I need...so maybe I'll start here?

I'd like get a copy of the manufacturers warranty/recommended repair schedule for a 2004 XT, auto transmission. Does anyone know if there is there any way I can get a pdf of this document? I just want to stay current on what repairs are needed and at what times.

Also, I've been having some electronics issues. I was on the mountain in freezing weather and on the drive back the check engine light came on, and the cruise control light was also on but the cruise control was not working. The check engine light went off and the cruise started working the next day. Maybe the temperature created a problem? Should I be concerned about this since the problem "went away?"

The most pressing issue is the front left head lamp and front left fog lamp are not working. All other lights work fine. I'm wondering if this is an electrical issue since the chances of two bulbs burning out at the exact same time doesn't seem like something that would happen?

Finally, I know about the head gasket issues on 2nd gen foresters. Mine is 166,000 and no record of head gasket repair. It doesn't overheat (I haven't taken it on really long trips in the summer yet), but does blow a ton of white smoke from the exhaust at every start up and for the first 20 minutes of driving. Any thoughts on this?

thanks in advance for any feedback or discussion, looking forward to being a member here!

Loscaldazar

Welcome!

Maintenance schedule is here. Click on the link at the bottom of the page to download a PDF.

When the CEL illuminates, it also disables the Cruise control on modern vehicles. The code is more than likely stored in the ECU, and it can be read for free at places like autozone, Napa, etc. That code will tell you what the problem is!

Until you get that code, you won't know if there is an electrical problem, but more than likely it is just a coincidence.

Headgaskets aren't actually an issue for the Turbo foresters. The semi-closed design of the engine helps provide a much stronger headgasket support. The steam is more than likely just normal moisture in the exhaust system (your car is taking in air with moisture in it), and since it is cold, you see the steam coming out of the exhaust. It lessens as the car warms up, because the water that was left in the system from being shut off is mostly gone.

However, caution is never a bad thing. Check your coolant overflow bottle for coolant in it, and monitor it. At cold, it should be at/above the "low" line, and fully warmed up, it should be right around the "full" line.

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2003 Forester 2.5XS Mod Journal

bbottomley

Welcome.

According to my 2003 wiring diagram, there's no involvement between the left headlight and the left foglight. I don't think there were any major changes in that area between 2003 and 2004, so I doubt that there's any connection between your two problems.

The two foglights are connected in parallel. So if there were some sort of control problem affecting them, it would take them both out.

As long as Murphy's Law is still on the books, I'd bet on the bulbs. Changing headlight bulbs is pretty easy, though you'll have to move the battery out of the way to get to the one on the left. Foglights are a pain to change. There's quite a bit of discussion about them here that should be helpful. We have noted that burned out foglight bulbs aren't uncommon on pre-owned Foresters--the original owners just weren't up to replacing them so they stuck the job on the next owner. Subaru totally punted the issue and doesn't even list the bulb type in the owners manual. It's H3. Headlights are the combined beam H4 (AKA HB2 or 9003).

You can find some useful basic info about Foresters at my Important Information sticky here on the New Member Introductions forum.

Tell us which Portland! It makes a big difference in our ability to recommend good sources of parts or service.

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2003 XS Premium MT >180k miles! ● 2005 Impreza 2.5 RS MT ● Robin-Subaru Powered Generator

foresterxt0789

Welcome from bg ky


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Duderotomy

Welcome to the forum from Niagara Falls!

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07 XT - VF43'd
02 S
03 Outback H6
98 S - H6/Ver.8 swap
90 Nissan Skyline GTS-t

2.5x_sleeper

Welcome to the forum from another Oregon member!

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]

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'07 FSXT - COBB Surgeline dyno Protune - Stage 1+
'03 X +AVO turbo kit = XT (son's)
'95 Neon Sport

bbottomley

Hang on there, Bobby. He could end up being from Maine!

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2003 XS Premium MT >180k miles! ● 2005 Impreza 2.5 RS MT ● Robin-Subaru Powered Generator

bikepdx

Thread Starter

Wow! Thanks so much for the info and welcome, I'm looking forward to learning more about my sub here. Oh btw I'm in Oregon, where the state car is subaru!

2.5x_sleeper

Bruce,

My guess was that PDX = Portland, Oregon.

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]

__________________
'07 FSXT - COBB Surgeline dyno Protune - Stage 1+
'03 X +AVO turbo kit = XT (son's)
'95 Neon Sport

bbottomley

Good guess, Bobby. But Subaru is the official car of New England!

__________________
2003 XS Premium MT >180k miles! ● 2005 Impreza 2.5 RS MT ● Robin-Subaru Powered Generator