Subaru Forester

• 1998 Subaru Forester
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• 2008 Subaru Forester
• 2009 Subaru Forester

1998 Subaru Forester

1998 Subaru Forester questions and answers

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Q: How do you get the FWD light on a 1998 Subaru Forester to go out?
I read in the owners manual that this usually comes on during maintenance.

A: The vehicle is currently operating in front wheel drive. Check the fuse in the engine compartment. It most likely burned out and needs to be replaced. Once it is replaced the car should go back into AWD and the FWD should turn off. This fuse is there for when the car needs to be towed or if you need to put your spare tire on. You remove the fuse and the car goes into FWD. Check your owners manual for more info.

Q: Does anyone else have problems with a 1998 subaru forester?
It's got 120,000 miles and need new head gasket plus crank seals, oil seals, cam seals and tires. I just paid it off in March. I've gotten 2 estimates for the work $2200-$3000. Should I trade the car in for another or get the work done?

A: thats a common problem with subarus, i would trade. but who knows after you have that work done it could last anoth 100000

Q: Would the throttle position sensor send bad signals the air mass meter on a 1998 subaru forester?
When I had the codes read, the code reading low voltage to the air mass meter was on there. Upon talking to a friend, he said that the same thing happened on his car and it turned out to be the throttle position sensor. Really don't want to change out a part that doesn't need to. Please help, the car keeps dying on me while driving. Can start it back up right away.

A: Your friend probably has a GM car. Very common problem on those. I have never changed a TPS or air meter on a 98 Forester. Check all the large vacuum lines off of your intake bellow. Check for a loose small vacuum line. Check the connector on the air meter. Make sure it is not corroded. Check your grounds too. Make sure all the components of the air intake are tightly installed.

Q: My 1998 Subaru Forester needs some "routine maintenance" that totals about $700. Should I do it or sell?
The $700 includes all the gaskets and covers---crank shaft, cam shaft, possibly the valve cover gaskets. Its leaking oil from these spots. Also, i need a timing belt and water pump. And for $60 maybe I should clean the fuel injectors. Finally, I need a new knock sensor---the light keeps coming on and off in the indicator in the dash-This is about $100 additionally. I also got the news that it was in a minor wreck with an owner before me---he hit a deer and repainted the car. This doesn't matter, right? Ok, basically, I pay for the repairs or sell the car, which I just bought 3 months ago for $6200 with 99,000 miles. Anyone know any of the answers to the questions or anything about Subaru Forester 1998? Thank you so much!!!!!!!

A: I would keep it. Even if you put in a few extra bucks, they hold their value, and that is not a lot of miles for a subaru, make sure you have a good mechanic, it should last you a long time.

Q: subaru forester 1998?
i have left my subaru forester 1998 model outside not used for 4 months. I was planning to get a noisy bearing on the right rear side looked at when I returned to the car. The car started first go but wont move when I put it into gear. Could the brakes or hand break be rusted to the wheel or could that noisy bearing be the trouble. I stumped. can i get some advice please?

A: your e brake is stuck try to set it and erleace it several times you may need to spray wd40 on the pads ( it will wear off soon) rock the car back and forth

Q: My 1998 subaru forester's check engine light will sometimes come on and then go off. Any thoughts?


A: Just stop by an Auto Zone or Advance and ask them to plug in their diagnostic handheld and they can get the code for the warning light from your car's computer, then look it up and tell you what it is. That might be quicker than a trip to the dealership for a fast answer. Could be O2 sensor or knock sensor if the light comes and goes.

Q: Is it worth getting a head gasket repaired on a 1998 SUBARU Forester if so how much should it cost?
I'm deciding if I should buy a 1998 Subaru Forester (with 110,000 mi). The seller want to sell it for $2000. This car was sideswiped (driver side) and needs body work. Windows still roll up and door close and locks. I got the estimate for repair is about $500. The seller mentioned that she had an overheating problem. All parts of the cooling system had been replaced including the radiator. My friend told me that it might need head gaskets replaced soon for the Subarus at this mileage. Is it worth getting a head gasket repaired? Will the car run and drive better and no more overheating problem ? Thank you.

A: STAY AWAY FROM IT... You can find plenty of higher mileage cars for that price... without major body damage... and without head gasket issue!

Q: 1998 Subaru Forester acting funny...HELP!!!!?
Bought a 98 forester, thought it was a deal, fixed gas lines, new brakes, cleared check engine light came on with misfire codes in all four cylinders. Car idles fine drives ok once accelerated. During acceleration and deceleration the car spits sputters and stalls. Gave car full tune up and now misfire coded in cylinders 2 and 4. I do not know what to do...any suggestions? Please?

A: So your getting a misfire. lets see..either your not getting air in the cylinder (unlikey), your not getting gas (full pump or injector problem) or your not getting spark (ignition/spark plugs). My guess is your timing is off.

Q: Does anyone know where i can get an audio wiring diagram for a subaru forester year 1998?


A: Possibly one in the owners manual. Otherwise,get a Haynes or Chiltons repair manual. I know first hand the Haynes has many wiring diagrams.

Q: My 1998 Subaru Forester heater switch stays on all the time. Turning the dial has no effect on the heat outpu


A: If you mean you cant change the temperature output it is probably just the cable popped off down at the pass side left foot below glovebox.Easy to reinstall if your a little handy on cars,otherwise take to your mechanic.Shouldnt be much cost to reinstall.

Q: 1998 Subaru Forester with 162K?
would this be a wise decision to buy this car? http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/car/754431493.html

A: This is a really good deal on the car and as I said in your other question, it's very clean. The dealer does not list ANY information on the car, so you need to find out what's going on with it. You need to check the headgaskets to see if they have been done before and how they were done. You should be able to see visually on the outside if they were replaced with updated OEM headgaskets. Also make sure the timing belt has been changed on schedule. You are almost guaranteed to lose the engine if the timing belt breaks (which is true on most cars). If the car is as well maintained as it looks and there are no ongoing headgasket problems, then the car is golden for many more years and miles. I have only owned 3 Subarus out of 10 or so that were UNDER 150k. The one I drive everyday is five years older than this one and over 200k miles... it drives like a top. No worries if the car is well maintained. :) So if you do your investigative work, then it would be wise to buy it if everything looks good. But since they are selling it at about half of it's blue book value and give no description, I'd look very carefully to see what is up with it. But at that price, you could fix a lot of things and still get your moneys worth.

Q: 1998 subaru forester?
my car jerk when i press the gas like it hesitant but after a while its ok only when i make turns now some said differential and then another person said it sound like a clutch and that i could lose my awd any suggestions will be great. Thanks

A: Could be either from what you say, and could be many more things. I would suggest taking it to a shop and asking for a quick diagnosis; they should be able to at least pin it down a bit.

Q: subaru 1998 forester?
i have check eng code p0102 MAF or VAF A Circuit low input what does it mean ?

A: THIS IS VERY COMPLICATED BUT I WILL TRY. YOU EITHER HAVE A BAD SENSOR OR SENSORS, A BAD CONNECTOR AND OR WIRE HARNESS OR A BAD ECM OR ECM CONNECTION AS WELL AS A BAD GROUND. WITHOUT A METER TO READ YOUR VOLTAGES AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE TO BE, YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF LOST. YOU SHOULD GET THE VEHICLES COMPUTER SCANNED AND CHECK FOR ANY PROBLEMS AS WELL AS CODES AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE A GOOD IDEA ON WHAT THE PROBLEM TRULY IS. TRY FINDING AN INDEPENDENT SHOP INSTEAD OF THE DEALER OR A CHAIN STORE BECAUSE YOU WILL BE OVERALL MORE PLEASED WITH THE FINDINGS AND THE SERVICE. LEAVE IT THERE WITH THEM SO THAT THEY CAN FIND THE PROBLEM FOR YOU, IT WILL BE A LOT BETTER THAN JUST REPLACING PART AFTER PART AND NOT DOING ANY GOOD.

Q: Why is my Subaru Forester (1998) only getting 18.5 mpg in the city? Is this normal?
I thought it was suppose to get 28 mpg on the highway and about 24 in the city. Anybody know? I am just worried that the bad mileage is indicative of another problem... I just had a new timing belt, water pump, cam and crankshaft seals, etc done. i change the oil regularly. i used Lucas Injector cleaner in the gas. I drive conservatively and have good tires. Stop and go, but not lots of traffic. medium to light traffic--lots of traffic lights and stop signs. hilly driving. between 20-60 mph. i don't carry ANYTHING in my car at all. no cargo. Also, it is an automatic 4 cylinder. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/14774.shtml this link says that i should get 19 in city and 25 on the highway, so i guess its about right!

A: Actually that is about right for your car. Subarus do not get very good gas mileage in stop and go traffic, but it does improve tremendously on the highway. I think you are doing all you can do.

Q: Are Subaru Foresters good reliable cars? what are the problems?
i have a 1998 forester that i am thinking of selling, only if it is not a reliable car. am i going to have problems with it later. if i am, then I will sell.

A: they are very good vehicles but just like any car you have to maintain them. regardless what car you get, sooner or later something is going to happen.