[DoubleA-Ron]

Good Afternoon, a quick Summary of the car.
I own a 2005 FXT, when I purchased it the previous owner did some dirty things and pretty much screwed with the motor knowing nothing about Subaru's. The motor decided to not want its crankshaft connected anymore which resulted in complete destruction of the block. This will all be summarized here I just want my baby back... 05 FXT, IAG Stage 2 swap and more .

As it stands, I recently put in a new IAG Stage two Tuff block. and its only got about 70 miles on the motor as of now trying to break in and deal with several other issues that have arisen. Among those issues are a set of codes. which when the car ran previous had none. It was in complete functioning order until the motor went. The codes I would like help with are the Transmission codes. Once the motor was installed with other modifications, (listed below) these codes appeared. P1709 (Throttle Position Sensor Circuit High Input) Accelerator pedal position sensor malfunction, open input signal circuit, P1714 (Throttle Position Sensor Power Supply Circuit) Accelerator pedal position sensor malfunction, open or short input signal circuit, P1718 (CAN Communication Circuit) Open or short AT communication signal circuit.

The other codes which are listed for full disclosure and possible insight (but also given) P0447, (Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Control Circuit Open) which is a broken wire at charcoal canister, and a P0111 (Intake Camshaft Position Timing Over-Advanced Or System Performance Bank 1) which has been fixed. New Intake cams, the insides were gummed up.

I have not done anything to the transmission. I sat for about a year in the yard under a cover while I accumulated parts and did some detail work and things.

What has been changed from previous that deal with the electrics of the car are:
The addition of ProSport Evo Gauges
Innovative Motorsports Gauges
HKS Turbo Timer
Heated Seat Delete

Other modifications:
Mishimoto Rad and Trans Cooler
IAG Stage 2 Tuff Block
ID 1050X Injectors
IAG Air/Oil Separator
Killer B Oil Pan, Pickup tube, Baffle tray
This is the complete list and install of the new motor. To see more click this thread here. should give you some more insight. I just want my baby back... 05 FXT, IAG Stage 2 swap and more

Several other things were done to the car previous which I have no need to mention due to the codes being thrown after these items were installed.

The Issue
To dive into the Transmission issues, The screen on the dash that shows gear selection, will not show 2nd or 1st when selected and sometimes not Neutral. When driving it will shift down to 3rd and 2nd, but sometimes when from 3rd to 2nd it does not recognize the selection and transmission does not shift.
(I know it is not normal for you to downshift an automatic like this, It is recommended to downshift to create good Vacuum to break in new motor. IAG approved)
The Engine runs fine, no issues. The transmission has no issues minus previously described.
My reverse lights do not work, which was a result of the Inhibiter switch harness not making good connection. Was replaced and fixed the issue.

I have been pulling out what little hair I have left trying to figure these issues out. I have yet to find a specific post about these issues all together. I am not sure where to start. I did start to check grounds, which i have not found any issues. Please help!

 

[bman400]

Sounds like the linkage between the shifter and and transmission care not lined up properly.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[DoubleA-Ron]

Not sure how that would of happened. But, ill take a look. I did replace the Parking release button, but I never unbolted the shifter. PRDNL switch might be going bad... but it worked before the motor swap. So why now?

 

[bman400]

Did you to any fluid drain and refill? did you mess with the external AT Filter?

 

[DoubleA-Ron]

Nope, Did nothing to the transmission, The only thing that involved ATF fluid was the new Mishimoto Trans Cooler. Which just replaces the old cooler on the old rad of course... No ATF temp warnings. I might change the ATF and filter since the dealership previous has F###### up so many things on this car. But I wouldnt be sure it would fix these codes

 

[bman400]

For the most part the external filter does very little. In fact Subaru removed it on some of the newer 4EAT. If you do replace the filter, buy OEM filer from Subaru. It is not the same as "oil filter" for engine. Many here have bought 3rd party filter and caused more transmission issues. Since it was working before, I would not mess around with the fluid for now, as long as it is not burnt, ie brown in color. If it is pink/cherry red, I would leave it alone. No sense introducing another variable in your troubleshooting.

 

[DoubleA-Ron]

Oh, its not as cherry red as it used be. But yes, i agree. I dont plan on making this venture any harder on myself. Id like to figure this out first. It has been frustrating. Been waiting over a year to finally drive my baby and i cant even break it in properly until these issues are fixed.

Besides the ATF and issues that result in not handling it properly, would you know of anything as to where i could be getting the 1709 and 1714 from? you hinted at the linkage which i will check after work tomorrow. I am pretty sure its not that, but I would rather double check to be safe. I have a fear a small rodent may have done something while it was sitting. I have checked all outside wiring, i havent seen anything to signal a short or lack of communication.

 

[Dogs]

Are engine and gearbox mounts in good condition, and/or seated and torqued correctly?

Were there any alignment issues fitting the engine with the new block, back into the car. Did mounting point match exactly?

Was the pitch stop bracket reinstalled? Did it fit exactly, or were there alignment issues?

Check harness between Body Integrated Module and TCM.

Check P range switch, voltage supply, resistance values, and earth point.

 

[DoubleA-Ron]

Are engine and gearbox mounts in good condition, and/or seated and torqued correctly?

We had a bit of issues just wiggling the block down in. Nothing major, Torque converter bolts all lined up and went in with no trouble. Everything went well, or so we thought...

Check harness between Body Integrated Module and TCM. Check P range switch, voltage supply, resistance values, and earth point.

This is something I have yet to do. I did check if things are bolted down correctly.

Today I tested the gear lever, I also checked on the Bypass switch, which I replaced. While I did this I shifted it down through the gears and only 1st gear would not show up on the dash. Every other selection did. I am still puzzled

 

[DoubleA-Ron]

Ok, I was away for work and the holidays screwed with me a bit.
I finally got to sit down and read some more. The P0011 code is gone by the way. replaced an intake CAM, it was gooed up.
The P0700 is the gen code,
P1709 is Throttle Position Sensor Circuit High Input, which means Accelerator pedal position sensor malfunction, open input signal circuit...
Next,
P1714 is Throttle Position Sensor Power Supply Circuit which means Accelerator pedal position sensor malfunction, open or short input signal circuit.
Next,
P1718 is CAN Communication Circuit which means Open or short AT communication signal circuit

So out of those 3(three) codes, 2 of them are pretty much a repeat. I could have two issues, or one which is triggering a systemic failure. Nothing was fidddled with when it came to the pedal but i will check resistance tomorrow and the CAN circuit. Possibly a wire may have been cut or nicked, I am not sure if the twisted pair for the TCM is shielded or not.
This is the update.

 

[DoubleA-Ron]

Update, I checked Resistance on the TCM and ECU, Found issue on the accelerator pedal sensor. Replaced it. Issue still not resolved. I found two wires on the Inhibiter switch harness that were severely damaged. I cut and soldered the wires for repair which actually added resistance to the circuit and threw another code. So i am purchasing the Inhibiter switch harness to swap out. I am starting to think the issues are from the Inhibiter Switch. So when the weather gets a little warmer i will craw under the car and check again.
I playing a game of cat and mouse now.

 

[DoubleA-Ron]

All issues described above have been fixed. I replaced the Inhibitor Harness which was knicked and damaged. This however did not solve the 3 Trans Codes....


I still have those three from above. Car runs and drives great. The only way i can tell I have an issues is by the CEL.
I give up. After days of testing and checking and checking again... I admit defeat.

I AM TAKING HER TO SUBARU !

 

[Dogs]

Did you clear the memory after the repairs, to get rid of the CEL codes? Need diagnostic scanner to clear TCM.

 

[DoubleA-Ron]

UPDATE 4/18/2021

Apple Subaru in York has had the car for a week. I took it there knowing they know the electrical system of the car. I informed them the car is in the break in period of the new motor, I also asked them for an alignment, and to replace any interior fasteners they see missing. A new Key and Key fob to be programmed. Also to repair the front grill since the previous dealership busted them putting in headlights. They agreed and they were going to investigate the three codes. I told them there are probably stored codes because I just replaced the Intake Cam and a PCV sensor and i have not gotten the drive cycle in to clear them. But they were not present.

Two days later I get a phone call saying there are 6 codes, The car is hard to start and the Key fob will not program due to a security light. The car is "TOO MODIFIED" to diagnose and they say there are things that have been disconnected. Also he told me the codes did not deal with the TCM... They also said the tune could be causing the issues and or the new motor. They say three of the codes were the P1709, 1714, 1718 and then three others like P0200? P0011, and the Charcoal sensor code which I explained were stored and they admitted that. So why they tried to fool me into thinking I had more issues was unclear. Maybe to try and get more money out of me.
Clearly the dealership has no clue what they are doing.

Too cover my tracks and prove that the tune and the motor have no relevance to the issues at hand i made some phone calls.
First call was to IAG who built the motor and spoke with Kent. I was informed there is no issue since its OEM case halves and this should have nothing to do with the transmissions nor the codes. The P1718 code was confusing that this can does not use the CAN Communication system. It was until later that models used this I/O system. IAG has been nothing but professional and willing to help throughout this entire process. So that proves the dealerships first claim wrong.

Next I called my tuner who has been dealing with me this entire process and confirmed that these codes have nothing to do with the tune. Also, questions about the CAN Communication bus did come up as well.

Both IAG and TurboTek are curious since this is not a common issue.

The connectors the dealership was worried about are: The TGV connectors which don't exist since they are gone, The Security horn connector, and the Front Exhaust temp sensor. None have anything to do with the Accelerator pedal sensor or the CAN system. Subaru says they were uncomfortable looking at the car since it is modified. The transmission and wiring harness are still stock and I have no clue why they could not attempt to look or trouble shoot the car.

A friend of mine who is very wise is helping me trouble shoot the car and work out what the real problem is since Subaru gave up. I find is hard to believe they did anything since the cover for the ECU was never touched and they did not replace the missing bolts like I asked. From what I can tell they just gave up. Which is ridiculous.

I have been looking over all the wiring diagrams and the common point for both the CAN and APS (Accelerator Pedal sensor) is the TCU/TCM.
Both are connected here but do not intermingle as far as I can tell.
I traced the grounds back to the Bulkhead in engine harness and they are on the passenger side post of the intake manifold. They were in poor condition and a few strands of cooper held them on. I did not have the appropriate ends yesterday to repair it but will later this week.

This is as far as I have gotten. If I can not figure this out it will go to a Shop close to Reading/Allentown area to be looked at.

I will keep you posted. Unfortunately the information on the CAN system on the 2005 is very very limited to non existent.

 

[Kevin]

Thanks for the update

 

[Dogs]

I have no clue why they could not attempt to look or trouble shoot the car.

I’d say, technicians across many industries (these days), are not taught actual independent trouble shooting skills. They are likely only taught how to follow the bouncing ball, which only works if the appliance (car in this instance), is in factory delivered condition. This also coincides with the fact that many components are plug and play.

Manufacturers may see this as saving time and money, but they are loosing a vital skill set (along with attracting the right people to a challenging and satisfying job). It means the technicians skill level, knowledge, motivation, and curiosity, remains superficial. Without the infield investigations, further information cannot be passed back to the manufacturer to make future updates and improvements. Which is why many faults carryover for many models, and we see a higher instance of recalls, and class actions.

A Dealership, also wouldn’t know how to charge for the work conducted (even if they had someone, who could do the appropriate work). There is likely no schedule for ‘finding issues on a modified car’, like there would be for general service and repairs (e.g. Clutch replacement 2.5hrs = $375 Labour charge).

Like most things in human history, they gotta get worse, before they get better. We all know, its the mighty Dollar that is driving these attitudes and work practices.... but we all know, everyone won’t out there demanding a change either! So, strap yourself in, for the bumpy road ahead!!!

The irony of the future, given the easy access to information and know-how (care of the ‘information super highway’, the Internet); is that the majority of the population will become less knowledgeable, technical, specialised, and intelligent. Basic statistical theory shows us that, as a ‘population sample’ increases in size, it greater represents the characteristics of the entire population. For example, if we take a vehicle manufacturer (or any large organisation for that matter), as the company grows exponentially, its collective knowledge and expertise tends towards that, of the general public. Crazy huh?

 

[Dogs]

P1709

 

[DoubleA-Ron]

@Dogs Thanks for the info. I have all the wiring and diagnostic information for each code. I have already tried and gave up checking resistance and voltage and took it to the dealership. who now refuses to investigate so i am back to square one and having to check myself with a friend of mine.

 

[Dogs]

maybe the Dearlership, was on the trail....

 

[Dogs]

TPS troubleshooting.

Maybe also consider Cruise Control, and Kick Down switch, as they are also associated with throttle and AT.