2002 Subaru Legacy Consumer Discussions

Subaru Outback/Legacy Electronic & Lighting Problems

Re: 2002 Subaru Legacy wagon electrical problem [chriswanson]

Written by: xwesx on Nov 11, 2008 11:10 AM

While it would be difficult to diagnose without a physical inspection, it sounds like you have an electrical short. Most likely, something like that would be caused by a wire exposed by something rubbing through the sheathing somewhere or dirty/wet/loose connectors. Read More...

2002 Subaru Legacy wagon electrical problem

Written by: chriswanson on Nov 09, 2008 06:42 PM

Hi, I have this situation: For a while, ABS light intermittant, not sure why. Recently the fuse for the rear running lights blew, not sure why. After fixing that (and putting on two new belts), the Check Engine light came on (I believe not from loose gas cap). Starting around the same time: when brakes are applied the dashboard lights go to about half power, running/parking ... Read More...

Subaru Legacy/Outback Wagons Maintenance & Repair

Re: 2002 subaru legacy noise under hood [650spx]

Written by: Mr_Shiftright on Sep 26, 2008 09:02 PM

If you can access it, squirt a little WD40 on the power steering pump pulley SHAFT and try it, see if it goes away. Or maybe it's an idler pulley? Belt noises are always PROLONGED and vary in pitch. Pulley noises are more constant. Read More...

Re: 2002 subaru legacy noise under hood [Mr_Shiftright]

Written by: 650spx on Sep 26, 2008 06:46 PM

A pulley chirp is what I am thinking about also.I did do a amp test on it just to make sure I was not hearing a electrical whine the test was normal. I also did notice a slight amount of play in the power steering pump (in and out). I did remove the belt and drive the car with out it so it is deffinatly in that aera. I am also thinking a bad crank pulley possiable if the rubber ... Read More...

Re: 2002 subaru legacy noise under hood [650spx]

Written by: Mr_Shiftright on Sep 25, 2008 08:42 AM

Squeal = slip, unless you are misinterpreting what a "squeal" is (sounds like you know what you're talking about though). Could there be a glaze on the new belt? Have you used any of the belt dressing junk? (Please don't). So are you sure this is a typical belt squeal and not some kind of pulley chirp? Read More...

2002 subaru legacy noise under hood

Written by: 650spx on Sep 24, 2008 06:03 PM

I just did the t-belt h2o pump idler gears but for some reasom not the accy belts. Stupid me but hear is my question. The belt broke for the alternator about 10k later I had the car towed back and figured the alternator froze so I replaced the alt and accy belts (subaru parts) but now I have what seems to be a belt squeal above 3200 rpm I have removed the alt belt and test ... Read More...

Re: RIP 2001 Subaru Outback [dbell1]

Written by: ateixeira on Aug 15, 2008 08:33 AM

RIP indeed, the car gave up its life to save yours. We have an 09 Forester and love it so far. Our previous car was a 2002 Legacy, so yours would be a similar upgrade. I will say this - my wife prefers the Forester by a *wide* margin. To be fair it was a Legacy L, and this is a Forester Limited, but still, she likes sitting up high, visibility is fantastic, and on a highway ... Read More...

2009 Subaru Legacy

Re: Looking at 09 (sorry about the prev. post) [altimate]

Written by: ahq on Aug 11, 2008 09:29 PM

Here in Milwaukee, a couple of area Subaru dealers are advertising $179/month leases on the 2.5i SE w/manual transmission. The terms are 10K miles per year, 2 year term, and around $899-999 down depending on the dealership. I currently drive a 2002 Nissan Sentra GXE with about 76K miles. After this last winter, which really mangled the roads around here, my Sentra's ... Read More...

Subaru Legacy Lease Questions

Re: [pilot1226]

Written by: ateixeira on Jul 31, 2008 07:20 AM

My answer: it depends. ;) I think if you don't like selling your car yourself, and will get wholesale trade from a dealer, then the lease may actually end up costing less over 2 or 3 years. Why? Well, the dealer offered us only $5300 for our 2002 Legacy. We sold it private party and got $8000. It takes more effort, but resale is very good on Subarus if you take your time ... Read More...

Subaru Legacy/Outback 2005+

Re: Reliability?? [jprinzo]

Written by: ateixeira on Jul 02, 2008 00:51 PM

I don't think the problems you're mentioning are all that common, to be honest. Subaru did in fact have a serious issue with head gaskets up until about the 2002 model year. Wheel bearings, too, on Forester and Impreza. Look at CR data, though, and you'll see they've improved even in those areas and have always been above average. JD Power has them just above average ... Read More...