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[Jeffzguy]

Who does the computer plugin that tells me what sensor is causing the check engine light?

[fkyx]

First gen Legacys use OBDI. There are no connections for computers. You have to pull the codes manually.

 

http://forums.sidc.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=137690

[Platinum_Racing]

Autozone can do it for you, but the 1991 is too old.

 

 

In 1996 the US required all automobiles sold in the US to be OBDII compliant. That means the computer systems in all cars after 1996 are the same (Until 2008, which is when they switched to the CAN bus). They use the same data bus and trouble codes from vehicle to vehicle, and from manufacturer to manufacturer.

 

Subaru became OBDII compliant one year prior to the 1996 deadline, preparing themselves early in 1995 (Mostly so they could sell their cars in California, which required OBDII in 1995). Your 1991 Legacy was made before the OBDII standard of automotive computers was even conceived. Because of this, the only people who can read the trouble codes on your check engine light are Subaru. Vehicles older than 1996 (Or Subaru vehicles older than 1995) must be returned to the dealer, since the manufacturer is the only one who can read trouble codes. In most cars older than 1996, OBDI is used. Most older cars (1987 and older) don't have any onboard computer or diagnostic equipment. OBDI is similar to OBDII, except it's not standardized. That means that every manufacturer (Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Subaru) has a different plug and different trouble codes. The only people who can read these OBDI codes are the manufacturers. In other words, if you bring a 1991 Subaru Legacy to a Ford dealership, they couldn't tell you what is wrong. If you brought a 1998 Subaru Legacy to a Ford dealership, they could tell you what is wrong.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, in short Subaru is the only one who can tell you why the check engine light is on in your Legacy. If you try and take the car to AutoZone they'll turn you away, because they simply can't read the codes. Your friendly local Subaru Stealership... Err... I mean dealership will likely charge you between $40 and $100 to read the code and tell you what is wrong. Your best bet is to unplug the battery, plug the battery back in a couple minutes later and hope the code doesn't come back.

[sqc151]

http://legacycentral.org/library/literature/codes.htm

[Jeffzguy]

Thanks guys