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Thread: DIY: Pulling codes without a scanner

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    DIY: Pulling codes without a scanner

    If your ABS light is on the ABS computer will store an error code, much like the ECU. You can read what each code is with a simple procedure. Here it is (98 legacy GT wagon)

    Under the dash, above and to the left of the gas pedal there is a large bundle of wires. Remove the plastic panel below the steering column to make finding it easier. Look carefully, there should be a small (1/2 inch), BLACK plug hanging down from that bundle. On mine the plug was taped to the bundle, look carefully, it took me 1/2 hour just to find mine because I didn't know exactly what I was looking for. The documents I read said the plug is green, on my car it is in fact black. There are wires with two small metal prongs taped to the wire connecting to the plug. The prongs may be taped up and not visible (as was in my case) or may be hanging next to the plug already, expose the two prongs.


    Looking at the black diagnostic plug, it has two holes on top and four on the bottom, like so:
    ____X X
    __X X X 6

    The X's are the holes you don't care about and the six being the hole you do care
    about. With the key in the OFF position, plug one of the metal prongs into position 6, the bottom right one as you are looking at the plug.

    Turn the key to the "ON" position, and observe the ABS light. It should start flashing at you, a long flash is for the tens value, the short flash for the ones value. It will always flash code "11" as the default code regardless if there is a problem or not (one long flash followed by one short one) In my case it flashed code 11 and code 21 (two long flashes and one short one) with a short pause between each code. the codes repeat for five minutes so just take your time and count the flashes several times to confirm you have the correct code.

    Trouble code list:

    Code Indicates

    None: Problem in light drive circuit. Light has to come on for 1.5
    secs after ignition is on.

    Light On: Same as above

    11: Start Code
    21 FR wheel sensor open circuit or input voltage too high
    23 FL
    25 RR
    27 RL

    22 FR wheel sensor when no open circuit or speed signal input
    24 FL
    26 RR
    28 RL

    29 Faulty tone wheel
    31 FR Faulty solenoid valve circuit in hydraulic unit
    33 FL
    39 Rear wheels
    41 Faulty ABS control module
    42 Source voltage is low
    51 Faulty valve relay
    52 Faulty Hydraulic Motor and or motor relay
    54 Faulty Stop Light circuit
    56 Wrong control module used or faulty G Sensor

    In my case, I looked at the wheel sensor and the connecting wire for damage. There was none so I traced it to inside the engine compartment to find it....unplugged!!.

    In my case I reconnected the plugs for the wheel sensor and the code went away. If the code does not go away, take the prong that is sticking into the diagnostic plug and remove it and plug it back in three times in quick succession. That supposedly clears the code. The computer only stores three codes at a time so make sure that when you are done you only get code 11.

    Enjoy saving yourself a trip to the dealer

    Here are some web pages that I found to be useful and good for further info:

    http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forum.aspx/sub ... -95-legacy
    http://endwrench.com/images/pdfs/ABS.pdf

    Disclaimer: I am not 100% positive that this is the correct procedure for your model Subaru. If you F%^ up your ABS system, don't blame me.
    -RAD

    '98 LGT wagon, 00 2.5 RS rallycross beater with NO straight body panels

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    "FNG"
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    Re: ABS light on? How-to pull the code

    I love you ^_^ Thanks!

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    t3h ub3r m3mber impreza_GC8's Avatar
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    Re: ABS light on? How-to pull the code

    Great, this should be stickied somewhere.
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    Re: ABS light on? How-to pull the code

    Nice! I'd like to turn that ABS light off, first thing manana.
    99 30th anniversary BD legacy 2.5GT (current) used JDM ej25 replaced at 135,814 mi.
    00 Impreza 2.5rs (RIP) sold as-is...
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    Re: ABS light on? How-to pull the code

    Quote Originally Posted by impreza_GC8
    Great, this should be stickied somewhere.
    Added to the Tires/Wheels/Brakes Threads of Note Sticky.
    - Jey
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    Re: ABS light on? How-to pull the code

    Man this is hard for me to find so the prong wouLd not be inside some connector? I looked last night and I saw nothing for the abs.
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    Re: ABS light on? How-to pull the code

    I just noticed something the ABS light always flashes the start code on turning the car on One long flash followed by the short flash..

    So that means that they must of thought some connections were not connected and connected them.. I can't tell where the hell it is..
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    Re: ABS light on? How-to pull the code

    It took me quite a while to find it too. On my 97 GT, it was a lot closer to the firewall than the dash panel itself. And the metal prongs were not even visible to me, like the original post said, they were completely covered with electrical tape. The only reason why I found them is because I tried to bend and move a "wire" out of the way and it didn't bend and turned out to be the prongs.
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    Re: ABS light on? How-to pull the code

    Quote Originally Posted by 97legacygt
    It took me quite a while to find it too. On my 97 GT, it was a lot closer to the firewall than the dash panel itself. And the metal prongs were not even visible to me, like the original post said, they were completely covered with electrical tape. The only reason why I found them is because I tried to bend and move a "wire" out of the way and it didn't bend and turned out to be the prongs.

    I still can't find them but I have not looked near the firewall.. it's a wire mess since they hooked in some aftermarket alarm which I took out and some aftermarket PIAA fogs.. it's very annoying and I don't know if the ABS works with it in the viewing code mode.

    *edit just came from a drive and I stopped hard enough for the ABS to kick in and as soon as that happened the ABS light came on...

    so when I got home expecting it to give me a code when I turned the car off and back to on all the light did was come on for about 2 seconds then went off for 1 then came back on and just stayed on...
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    Re: ABS light on? How-to pull the code

    It took me an hour to find them. Try this...

    There is a large bundle taped to the steering column. The prongs were actually INSIDE the tape holding the bundle together, so they could not be seen. If there are any fat wire bundles under the dash close to the steering column or the firewall with alot of tape on them, cut off the tape to see if they are hiding in there. I'll take a pic of where mine were and post them up if you still can't find them
    -RAD

    '98 LGT wagon, 00 2.5 RS rallycross beater with NO straight body panels

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    Re: ABS light on? How-to pull the code

    it's a wire mess under the dash.. i dunno what the hell the past owners did but I have a relay just hanging down and mounds of wires for the foglights in the front (I have to remove them) I only see one that looks like the above picture but no wires are stuck in it nor have I seen any with any wires stuck in anything so far yet.

    tired of the ABS flashing code 52 since I had to unhook it yesterday but only to hook it back up this morning
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    Re: ABS light on? How-to pull the code

    I found the wire yesterday.. I remembered someone saying if the tape has not been cut it should be in the bundle of wires with the green wire connections.. I checked and no pin in it.

    But yet if I stop hard enough and later get back in the car the ABS starts flashing code 52 or code 11

    I have yet to replace the relay yet with the new replacement that won't stick.
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    Re: ABS light on? How-to pull the code

    question.. When you say the ABS stores the code it stores it until you clear it by doing the plug clearing way 3 times?

    When I was doing my rotors I checked my ABS sensors and more so both tone wheels since the code keeps coming up 2-1.. I check both and they seem fine.

    Sometimes when I start the car (it's random)

    I'd get no ABS light on and everything is normal..

    I'd get just the ABS light on solid after starting but will go away when the foot is on the brakes.. or if that does not turn it off it will go off when you move..

    And last the light will flash Code 1-1 and then code 2-1 and start all over.

    And no my plugs are not plugged in the plug under the dash it just drives me nuts.. the ABS seems to work as normal
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    Re: ABS light on? How-to pull the code

    It looks like it's giving me 11 (the start up code) followed by 56: Wrong control module used or faulty G Sensor. I don't know what either of those are.

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    Re: ABS light on? How-to pull the code

    Just switched to the other wire and it started giving me 24 and 44 as well... Those aren't even listed

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    Re: ABS light on? How-to pull the code

    viewtopic.php?f=12&t=14237&hilit=wierd+abs

    I had a few of those codes when my tone wheel broke on the front drivers side of my car.

    I can tell you from experience that some issues will throw multiple codes... specifically number 56.

    I would start by taking off your drivers side wheel and checking your abs sensor... it will be bolted into the back of your steering knuckle.

    Check to see if there are bits of metal stuck to the end of the sensor's magnet. Also, look at the backside of your hub and verify that your entire tone wheel is fully intact and not missing any teeth.

    It is the geared wheel that is attached to the hub in this picture (not the center geared piece)... you can see where the ABS sensor mounts in the hole at the top of the photo:



    You can clearly see it in this photo below (its number 11). Mine actually broke and was missing an entire 1/5 section!!
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    ABS light on? How-to pull the code

    Awesome thank you for the help, I'll check this out when I get home.

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    Re: ABS light on? How-to pull the code

    Hi guys, new to this forum, but not to forums. I've been having problems with the ABS on my '99 OBW since I bought it. The symptoms are that EVERY time the brakes are applied above say 6-10 mph the ABS kicked in and pulsates until the car stops. I have run my codes multiple times and the only code I get is 51 (faulty valve relay), which sounds logical since it acts as if that relay is stuck. However I've scoured my car for this relay, and cant find it anywhere. The owners manual has no listing of its location, its not on the pump, and unless they disguised it, the only relays under the hood are for the headlights, AC, cooling fans, and the fuel pump.

    I've already asked on subaruoutback.org, and nobody had a definite answer there, so if anyone could shed some light on this subject it would be GREATLY appreciated.

    Thanks again, Adam
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    Re: ABS light on? How-to pull the code

    Quote Originally Posted by hellaGT
    Nice! I'd like to turn that ABS flashlight off, first thing manana.
    I always like to turn on ABC lights, there is no manana for me :-P

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    Re: ABS light on? How-to pull the code

    Thank you for this! Helped me a ton!
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