Hi . I'm new to this forum and a forester owner. I'm hoping the issue I have can be explained by an imprezza owner.
My forester is a 2001 non turbo manual and I'm looking to get a code reader / scanner/ diagnostic tool that will plug into the obd port on my motor to give me fault codes.
does anyone know of any reader that will work on this year of car ?
thanks

 

You need an ELM327 - like this Bluetooth one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/20136...13=80&ff14=122

Then install Torque Pro on your phone: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...orque&hl=en_GB

Fault codes, real time info, ecu resets etc. I've used mine for a couple of years now. I even leave it plugged in (although wisdom would suggest it will drain your battery, I've yet to have an issue with leaving the car a few days without driving) so I can reset the annoying lambda CEL on the move.

Works on everything OBD2 I have tried: '02 WRX, '07 Golf, '04 XJR, '07 Focus, '09 XKR, '16 Land Rover etc.

 

OBD2 or EOBD (European OBD) came into use on the Forester for Model Year 2001

Just check the 10th character of your VIN. If it is a 1 or greater then it should be OBD compliant.

If so any cheap OBDII code reader off of the bay can be used.

 

I use a MaxiScan, bought off Ebay just under £12, works for me, tells you the faults, then you delete them

 

I have an annoying intermittent P0420 code issue and I've just acquired a Maxiscan MS309 for £15 off Amazon. Very easy to use and comes up with all the right info, including code details, I/M monitor status, etc.

However the instructions warn that when clearing codes the device MAY also clear the freeze frame data and monitors, which would mean the car having to go through a diagnostics process again and, I guess, run pretty roughly for a while. So I've not risked clearing the code yet. I don't know what my car's OBD drive cycle might be (2005 outback 2.5)

Has anyone used one these scanners to delete codes and if so, have just the codes, or the entire system, been reset?

Is it a big deal if the monitors etc get reset?

 

Any mods to the car? that is a common code for decat.

 

No, no mods as far as I am aware. Also aware code could be down to a range of things? Had air/fuel and rear O2 sensors replaced last autumn; 4000 miles no issues; code reappeared recently.