Why Is My Subaru Check Engine Light On?

Whether it’s the check engine light of your Subaru Outback or Impreza, you might be wondering why it’s illuminated. When this light is on, it can mean several things, including an issue as simple as a loose gas cap. Find out in the following guide from Subaru South Tampa. We will go over the Subaru check engine light codes so you can figure out your next steps.

Possible Reasons for an Illuminated Subaru Check Engine Light

The first thing to note when your check engine light comes on is its color. If your check engine light illuminates yellow, then your Subaru needs service, but you can still drive it to our Tampa service center. However, if your engine light is red, you should pull over immediately and arrange a tow. Driving with a red check engine light could result in severe engine damage, not to mention unsafe driving conditions.

That being said, we have listed six of the most common reasons our Temple Terrace driver customers see a lit-up check engine light in their Subaru. If you see your dashboard light up, it could be one of these issues—meaning it’s time for Subaru maintenance near Clearwater.

System Fault with EVAP

A canister of activated charcoal captures the gasoline fumes from your engine before sending the air back through with the evaporation system. If there is an issue with the evaporation canister or another component of this system, the check engine light can click on. Typically, you can fix this problem by replacing the canister, so ask a Subaru expert to check if this is the issue by reading the Subaru CEL codes.

Mass Air Sensor

The Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor reads how much air is entering the engine. Something as minor as an expired engine air filter, or even the MAF itself, can trip the CEL in this case, but it’s a good idea to drive straight to your nearest Subaru dealer to have it checked out.

Coolant Temperature Sensor

Coolant circulates throughout the Subaru engine to keep it cool. If this sensor detects that the coolant isn’t doing its job, your engine will begin to overheat—leading to a harder-working engine and other issues.

Loosened Gas Cap

While a loosened gas cap isn’t a major problem, it can cause your Subaru onboard computer to think something more serious is going on. If your check engine light comes on soon after you’ve filled up the tank in the St. Petersburg area, double-check that the cap is sealed and tight. It might save you a trip to a Subaru maintenance center.

Ignition System Fault

Modern engines in general, and Subaru BOXER® engines in particular, are sophisticated feats of engineering. With a lot of parts and components going into every firing of the spark plug, there are plenty of reasons your ignition system can illuminate the CEL. Since these issues are generally pretty major, ignition problems are usually illuminated red.

O2 Sensors

The most common reason we see for a CEL light to come on is the O2 sensors in the exhaust system. Most modern vehicles have two O2 sensors: one before the catalytic converter and the other behind. If either of these has a mishap, your Subaru might not be mixing air and fuel correctly in the engine, leading to reduced performance. We recommend letting only our factory-trained experts handle these important sensors at our Tampa service center.

Schedule Subaru Service at Subaru South Tampa

Should your car need service, count on the service department at Subaru South Tampa. We will make sure your vehicle is good to go before you resume your day. Contact us if you have any questions about your Subaru Outback check engine light or dashboard indicator symbols. We are happy to provide you with any information you need.