P0447, P0448 problems

[SubaruBuster]

09 Legacy SE, 125k: no issues until out of nowhere CEL appears after car sitting still for over a week. P0447 code otherwise the car runs like a charm.

Take it to the only Subaru dealer in town. Dealer recommends and replaces Emissions canister and solenoid valve. Result-No more code. Later while driving car home from dealership, CEL comes on again. Return to dealer; this time code P0448 (circuit short). They find a break and repair it. CEL goes out. Then comes back on during test drive. Now dealer recommends replace electrical harness ($2100). What are my options now? To me, dealer seems to be "throwing darts" at this point.

Edited May 20, 2020 by SubaruBuster
misspellings

[08SpecB_DE]

Tell them to eat that $2100 and replace the harness since they misdiagnosed it to begin with. Just kidding...well kinda. Was it the vent valve that they replaced along with the canister? Do you have access to a bi-directional scanner and/or a powerprobe?

[DaveWaters]

Trace the harness. When a car sits mice like to move in. Might find some repairable chew damage.

[SubaruBuster]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm not totally convinced they replace either valve (purge or vent). I have yet to be able to inspect either to see if they are new or the canister. This dealership did not make a very good first impression. The first time they had the car to diagnose the CEL (code P0447), they mistakenly performed a throttle body cleaning. They said the mechanic got my car and another confused. Fortunately there was no charge for their mistake. I don't have access to a scanner or powerprobe. Unfortunately, I have to take the Legacy back to them so they can install a new dash board (no charge). They damaged my original while preforming a passenger side air bag recall. I'm not looking forward to the visit. Edited May 21, 2020 by SubaruBuster
typo

[SubaruBuster]

The dealership replaced the dashboard, but no the AUX option on the stereo no longer works. Quoted $100 to replace the AUX jack. I brought my car home and switched out the AUX jack to my Outback and it works fine. Vice versa, the AUX jack from Outback doesn't work in my Legacy. Therefore, I'm thinking there is a AUX wire loose or unplugged somewhere.

Any suggestions? It doesn't seem likely that the AUX would stop working and all the other features in the stereo is fine.

[DaveWaters]

Have you pulled the radio to check? If not I’d start there. On later model subaru head units there is a terminal that needs to be grounded in order for aux to come up when pressing the button. Maybe same for these. I’m sure the tech missed something putting it back together but its so easy to pull the radio that you’d probably be wasting a trip to the dealer to have them make it right. Word of caution: put an old towel or tshirt on whatever you rest the radio on so you don’t damage it.

[SubaruBuster]

Thanks for the info. I did pull the radio yesterday and low and behold the connector to the aux jack was unplugged. Popped it back in and it works again!

My distrust in dealerships (even Subaru) was confirmed again. Nine times out of ten, their solution is to replace instead of repair (or in this case reconnect).

[SubaruBuster]

Codes P0447 and P0448 finally repaired . . . I found a euro master mechanic that was able to determine the source of the short. He replaced the EGR Vac/Evap pressure valve and also the gas cap (for good measure).

 

Very disappointed in the local Subaru dealership master mechanic. I believe they were more interested in replacing parts than finding and fixing the source of the CEL codes.

[Max Capacity]

I guess your going to stop going to the dealership for repairs and now use this guy.

 

I try to never take my cars to the dealership for repairs.

[SubaruBuster]

You can say that again! By rule, I try to stay away from dealerships unless it is recall related ofcourse.