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New Member from MI

606 Views 4 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  Duderotomy
Just picked up my first subaru this weekend, loving it so far! The forester has a tall task in taking the place of my wrangler! I ended up finding a 2000 S manual trans with about 186k miles. Timing belt and clutch were replaced in the past 30k miles or so according to the PO.

The one I picked up has a few issues...I have a lot of experience turning a wrench, but figured before I go buy a ton of new parts to install I'd list my issues here. Maybe someone can help push me in the right direction. I'm planning on clearing the codes to see if they comeback, I'm wondering if some of it is from inactivity...the PO didn't drive it much.

1. Clutch pedal not returning
-fix per TSB, right?

2. The stick seems to move a lot, and sometimes there's a clunk when I let off the clutch. Normal or transmission mount (or something else)?

3. It is throwing P0420, P0130, P0133. Check for exhaust leaks and pop in a new front O2 sensor?

4. P0483 also is there...temp gauge looks normal all the time. Install a new ECT sensor?

5. I'm planning on swapping out all of the driveline fluids, is there a preferred fluid (aside from mfg spec)?

6. Finally, rear wiper and fluid do not work...but the rear dome light doesn't come on with the hatch either (front one does). Bad switch, bad motor, or both?

Thanks in advance! Can't wait to get more familiar with my Forester!
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Welcome to the forum from Oregon! :biggrin:

Congratulations on the Forester purchase. :cool:

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]
hermantherugger wrote:
6. Finally, rear wiper and fluid do not work...but the rear dome light doesn't come on with the hatch either (front one does). Bad switch, bad motor, or both?

Does the license plate light or any other lights attached to the hatch work? If not, look for a dirty or loose wire cable connector between the hatch and the body. I have seen that problem in Jeep Cherokees before.
hermantherugger wrote:
6. Finally, rear wiper and fluid do not work...but the rear dome light doesn't come on with the hatch either (front one does). Bad switch, bad motor, or both?

Does the license plate light or any other lights attached to the hatch work? If not, look for a dirty or loose wire cable connector between the hatch and the body. I have seen that problem in Jeep Cherokees before.
Everything else acts normal, I even got the light working after squirting some contact cleaner and WD40 in the latch mechanism.

I ordered a motor today on eBay...we'll see how that pans out.

Thanks!
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