Dealer can't read CEL code - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Eddie · 10-08-2013, 04:08 PM

Hi all.

I bought my BRZ in Montreal, but have moved to Southern California. I had experienced the rough idle a little in Montreal without the CEL going on, but right after the Smog Test for CA registration, I got the most severe rough idle ever and it triggered the CEL.

I brought it to the local Subaru Dealership and they are apparently unable to read the codes. The service manager took it to his Scion dealership as well and they can't read anything there either.

Anyone have suggestions to read and clear the codes in this case? The car is driving fine since it happened.

cnk · 10-08-2013, 04:15 PM

Is your CEL still on? It doesn't make any sense that they weren't able to read the code. You could always buy a code scanner for about $50-100 and scan it yourself and clear it. Or you can pull the negative terminal on your battery for a few minutes to reset it and see if the CEL comes back. I find it a bit peculiar that the dealer couldn't pull the code if the CEL was on though.

Eddie · 10-08-2013, 04:23 PM

Yup, CEL is still on. Yes, it makes no sense that they can't read the code.

I tried the negative terminal of the battery, but maybe I did not keep it off long enough. I'm guessing though that they might now be storing the codes in flash memory (aka non-volatile memory) which doesn't lose its contents when the power is disconnected.

cnk · 10-08-2013, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie

Yup, CEL is still on. Yes, it makes no sense that they can't read the code.

I tried the negative terminal of the battery, but maybe I did not keep it off long enough. I'm guessing though that they might now be storing the codes in flash memory (aka non-volatile memory) which doesn't lose its contents when the power is disconnected.

If you just want to clear the code and don't care what it is, then disconnect negative terminal. Step on the brake pedal for about 10s to drain all residual power. Then reconnect the battery. I'm not aware of the car storing codes in any non-volatile memory, but then again, I've not had to clear any CEL's on the car yet.

jeebus · 10-08-2013, 05:36 PM

I have seen a few random cases of OBD2 ports being broken on these cars. Maybe when the smog shop plugged in their equipment to your OBD2 port they yanked it out extra hard and pulled the wiring from one of the pins or something.

Eddie · 10-08-2013, 08:48 PM

I just went and looked at the OBD2 port and there doesn't seem to be anything obvious in terms of loose wiring. I would have expected the dealer mechanics to check that, but maybe I'm asking too much.

SloS14 · 10-08-2013, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie

I would have expected the dealer mechanics to check that, but maybe I'm asking too much.

OrbitalEllipses · 10-08-2013, 09:06 PM

Your car has a warranty, press corporate for a resolution if all you get from the dealership(s) is "we can't read it, sorry, eh" (or since you're in Cali now "hella sorry we can't read it brah"). Though, your corporate will be Subaru of Canada, so good luck.

Ozzman · 10-08-2013, 09:46 PM

The fuse for the OBD port probably got blown during the emissions test. Check for any blown fuses.

Eddie · 10-09-2013, 01:52 AM

The fuses that I pulled seem intact. I think I'm going to get on the phone tomorrow with corporate, both in Canada and the US and figure out what can be done.

I'll keep you all posted.

Yruyur · 10-09-2013, 02:28 AM

Didnyou check for pins being pushed up into the plug itself. Ive heard a few people mention they have to reach around and push wires back in.

Sent from a Motorola DynaTAC 8000X now Free

thill · 10-09-2013, 10:27 AM

How is this your problem? Push the dealer and corporate to fix the issue.

Eddie · 10-09-2013, 11:12 AM

Remember, this isn't my original dealer, so he really has no real incentive to push this issue himself. I'm not saying he hasn't been helpful, as he has been. He's called up his chain but is waiting for response. He's made himself available without appointment to get different crews at different dealerships to look at it. But there seems to be no pressure to resolve: he's made his calls, and he's just going to wait for responses.

If I want this to be resolved faster, I'm going to have to make calls myself and work my way up the chain as far as I can go. I have incentive to get this fixed.

King Tut · 10-09-2013, 05:03 PM

Did you try a little maple syrup in the gas tank and oil filler? It is a Canadian BRZ afterall.

10-08-2013, 04:08 PM	#1
Eddie Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Drives: 2013 Black BRZ Sport-Tech (auto) Location: Coronado Posts: 24 Thanks: 5 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Dealer can't read CEL code Hi all. I bought my BRZ in Montreal, but have moved to Southern California. I had experienced the rough idle a little in Montreal without the CEL going on, but right after the Smog Test for CA registration, I got the most severe rough idle ever and it triggered the CEL. I brought it to the local Subaru Dealership and they are apparently unable to read the codes. The service manager took it to his Scion dealership as well and they can't read anything there either. Anyone have suggestions to read and clear the codes in this case? The car is driving fine since it happened.

10-08-2013, 05:36 PM	#5
jeebus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 2015 Mustang GT (on order) Location: San Diego Posts: 904 Thanks: 114 Thanked 471 Times in 208 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I have seen a few random cases of OBD2 ports being broken on these cars. Maybe when the smog shop plugged in their equipment to your OBD2 port they yanked it out extra hard and pulled the wiring from one of the pins or something. __________________

10-09-2013, 02:28 AM	#11
Yruyur Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Scion fr-s asphalt M/T Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 4,192 Thanks: 1,416 Thanked 1,631 Times in 941 Posts Mentioned: 96 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Didnyou check for pins being pushed up into the plug itself. Ive heard a few people mention they have to reach around and push wires back in. Sent from a Motorola DynaTAC 8000X now Free __________________

10-09-2013, 05:03 PM	#14
King Tut NASA SpecE30 Racer Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 2006 Honda S2000 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 7,279 Thanks: 607 Thanked 5,759 Times in 3,055 Posts Mentioned: 274 Post(s) Tagged: 10 Thread(s)	Did you try a little maple syrup in the gas tank and oil filler? It is a Canadian BRZ afterall. __________________ - King Tut Street/Track Car: 2006 Honda S2000 TT3 \|\| Race Car: 1987 BMW 325is SpecE30 \|\| Tow Vehicle: 2014 RAM 1500 EcoDiesel Sold Cars: 2012 BMW M3 \|\| 2013 Subaru BRZ \|\| 2012 Porsche Cayman R \|\| 2009 Chevrolet Z06 \|\| 2009 BMW M3 \|\| 2004 BMW M3 \|\| 2004 Nissan 350Z

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10-08-2013, 04:15 PM	#2
cnk Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: '13 DGM BRZ Limited Location: NJ Posts: 1,201 Thanks: 59 Thanked 547 Times in 339 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Is your CEL still on? It doesn't make any sense that they weren't able to read the code. You could always buy a code scanner for about $50-100 and scan it yourself and clear it. Or you can pull the negative terminal on your battery for a few minutes to reset it and see if the CEL comes back. I find it a bit peculiar that the dealer couldn't pull the code if the CEL was on though.

10-08-2013, 04:23 PM	#3
Eddie Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Drives: 2013 Black BRZ Sport-Tech (auto) Location: Coronado Posts: 24 Thanks: 5 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Yup, CEL is still on. Yes, it makes no sense that they can't read the code. I tried the negative terminal of the battery, but maybe I did not keep it off long enough. I'm guessing though that they might now be storing the codes in flash memory (aka non-volatile memory) which doesn't lose its contents when the power is disconnected.

10-08-2013, 08:48 PM	#6
Eddie Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Drives: 2013 Black BRZ Sport-Tech (auto) Location: Coronado Posts: 24 Thanks: 5 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I just went and looked at the OBD2 port and there doesn't seem to be anything obvious in terms of loose wiring. I would have expected the dealer mechanics to check that, but maybe I'm asking too much.

10-08-2013, 09:06 PM	#8
OrbitalEllipses Banned Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: Attitude Location: MD Posts: 10,046 Thanks: 884 Thanked 4,890 Times in 2,903 Posts Mentioned: 123 Post(s) Tagged: 4 Thread(s)	Your car has a warranty, press corporate for a resolution if all you get from the dealership(s) is "we can't read it, sorry, eh" (or since you're in Cali now "hella sorry we can't read it brah"). Though, your corporate will be Subaru of Canada, so good luck.

10-08-2013, 09:46 PM	#9
Ozzman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: old Location: Roswell Posts: 232 Thanks: 188 Thanked 103 Times in 59 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	The fuse for the OBD port probably got blown during the emissions test. Check for any blown fuses.

10-09-2013, 01:52 AM	#10
Eddie Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Drives: 2013 Black BRZ Sport-Tech (auto) Location: Coronado Posts: 24 Thanks: 5 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	The fuses that I pulled seem intact. I think I'm going to get on the phone tomorrow with corporate, both in Canada and the US and figure out what can be done. I'll keep you all posted.

10-09-2013, 10:27 AM	#12
thill Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 2020 SS1LE (previous 13 BRZ owner) Location: North Pole Posts: 2,753 Thanks: 328 Thanked 1,463 Times in 802 Posts Mentioned: 20 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	How is this your problem? Push the dealer and corporate to fix the issue.

10-09-2013, 11:12 AM	#13
Eddie Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Drives: 2013 Black BRZ Sport-Tech (auto) Location: Coronado Posts: 24 Thanks: 5 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Remember, this isn't my original dealer, so he really has no real incentive to push this issue himself. I'm not saying he hasn't been helpful, as he has been. He's called up his chain but is waiting for response. He's made himself available without appointment to get different crews at different dealerships to look at it. But there seems to be no pressure to resolve: he's made his calls, and he's just going to wait for responses. If I want this to be resolved faster, I'm going to have to make calls myself and work my way up the chain as far as I can go. I have incentive to get this fixed.

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