1997 Subaru Legacy - Page 5 - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

Possible sticking thermostat (probable) but you could have a fan thermostat going bad also if it has an electric fan, next time it starts over heating look under hood and see if the fan on the radiator is spinning, if not it or the thermostat for it could be bad

heater core could be plugged, only way to check is to pull the heater hoses off and try to run water through it, if no water or little water then its plugged.. you would need to replace.

Check fuses. Didn't fully understand the Question so if your saying that the brake light comes on but the reverse light does not. If it is in the same spot then it would be a 2 part bulb and one filament has burned out so the bulb still needs replaced. If it not the bulb then check fuses. One of those will most likely be your problem. good luck.

The fuel pump is located behind the rear seat on the passenger side. Remove the upholstery cover to expose the metal oval cover which will expose the fuel pump. D/C the neg terminal and the electrical connector. Remove the nuts to release the fuel pump from the tank. Only now you can release the fuel hoses. Reverse the procedure to reinstall the new fuel pump.

Under the hood in a high amp fuse box.

short circuit in the switches somewhere

Try checking wires and gound connections. Send us more details.Hope this helps and just keep in mind that your feedback is important and I'll appreciate your time and consideration if you leave some testimonial comment about this answer.Thank you for using FixYa.

is this car an automatic transmission? if it is then you will need to check the gear selector switch on the transmission. I have seen one that would not properly engage for the park/neutral and reverse switches to function but the car was still drivable.

The fuel sender is in the gas tank. If you can get the vehicle a few feet off the ground then you should be able to handle this. Do the job when the tank is empty of course.

Check fuses for power to the dlc. They used to hide it with the cigar lighter. It is best if you pull the fuses instead of using a test light. I have fixed problems just because the fuse lost contact in its holder.

The floater that sends information about the fuel level to the dashboard may have gotten stuck when replacing the new pump or simply just not plugged in. Does it read correctly after fill up? Your car has easy access to the pump, just take it out and verify that the sending unit is not binding anywhere. Here's a link for the step by step on replacing the pump. just copy and paste. http://www.ehow.com/how_4795001_change-subaru-impreza-fuel-pump.html

All I can tell you with the amount of info given is to check the trans fluid when in park and the engine is running and on level ground. Your most likely low on fluid, it takes Dexron III (Dexron three). Automatic transmission fluid expands as it gets hotter, so its low when cold and as warms up the fluid expands to the point where the fluid level is somewhat acceptable and can actually function. I would service your transmission immediately before any more damage occurs, those transmissions (4EAT) are not cheap, but I think the cheapest used junkyard transmissions go for around $800. Good luck!! I hope this info helps!

It has detected a problem and has alerted you to such. If you stop at one of the bigger autoparts stores, ( Autozone, Pep Boys etc.) they will scan it for free and usually advise of what they think is necessary to repair it. If your in doubt at all, ask what the code(s) are and get back to us with them and we can further assist in proper diagnosis and repair.

there is a sesor behind the bumper you can hit it with a hammer and the bag will go off

Hope this helps you ??

SQUARE BUTTON ON TOP OF STEERING COLUMN.

get the engine computer scanned, for free, at any pep boys, advance auto, or auto zone-many others will do it for free as well, just have to ask-then get the actual code (i.e. 'P0171) and come back on here for help.

You have 134a-federal mandate phased out R12 by 1997.

Hi, if it is an automatic transmission, it could be several things:
It could be really low on transmission fluid or the fluid may have leaked out. Do you see an reddish or reddish-brown fluid under the car? Check the fluid level by looking at the transmission fluid dipstick.
The torque converter (essentially a motion transfer device that resembles two fans facing each other) may be bad. As the engine spins, up, the fluid in the torque converter starts spinning and flowing and starts to 'spin' the blade on the transmissin side (it's called locking up the torqure converter). If there a malfunction in the converter, or no fluid, as noted above, no motion to the transmission.
Is the emergency brake stuck on?
Another issue might be the transmission linkage - when you move the shift handle to "D", there is a linkage that moves a lever on the transmission to change how fluid moves thru the transmission, etc. Check for a broken linkage between the bottom of the shift handle and the tranny. This is best done at a good auto repair shop or dealer.
If this is a manual transmission car, you probably have a worn out clutch plate or broken shift linkage. See a mechanic.

The engine should start if knock sensor is faulty.but there will be starting problems noticed if knock sensor is faulty.The knock sensor is a listening device located inside the engine near the intake manifold or the pistons that is designed to detect pressure inside the engine. The vibrations that it records as a result of this pressure are converted into voltage and sent to the car's engine control unit (ECU). This is to prevent detonation in the engine when the fuel/air mixture explodes too quickly and causes engine knock or "pinging." The ECU takes the information provided by the knock sensor and adjusts the ignition timing to the engine.------------ Click this link to get more help:--- http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2011/05/what-happens-if-knock-sensor-goes-bad.html ---------- May be the fuel pressure got too low or coil not giving power to spark plugs causing this no start problem------- Get the voltages from battery to starter, coil to spark plugs, the fuel pump relay voltage in engine compartment under hood.Also check the compression for spark plugs and check the voltage to injectors and condition of injectors too.------------- This should help.Thanks.Helpmech.