Engine Light on - CPC Solenoid

[John Gibson]

Subi tell me that the code on my 94 Legacy Sedan suggests that the CPC
solenoid needs to be replaced.
Asked Subi dealer to tell me but they said " We would have to jack it up
and that would require a service ticket"
Thought that was comparable to "If I told you I would have to kill you"!!
Asked Subi dealer to show me a new part They said "Not easily"
This was all while my other 98 OBW was being worked on.
Can anyone give me information on where the CPC solenoid is located on
the 94 Legacy Sedan ? It's not shown in the otc books.

 

[Marcus]

Hi John,

Never heard of CPC solenoid, if the car is an automatic, it is possible he
said "duty C solenoid".

This lives in the bottom of auto gearbox and is accessed by draining off the
auto box fluid & removing the auto box oil pan and is a relatively cheap
part.

(If my memory serves me well it is used to control power output to the rear
axle, if it has failed then the car is running as a FWD rather than AWD"

 

[John Gibson]

Hi John,

Never heard of CPC solenoid, if the car is an automatic, it is possible he
said "duty C solenoid".

This lives in the bottom of auto gearbox and is accessed by draining off the
auto box fluid & removing the auto box oil pan and is a relatively cheap
part.

(If my memory serves me well it is used to control power output to the rear
axle, if it has failed then the car is running as a FWD rather than AWD"

Thanks for your response
The issue is the car needs an inspection sticker which I can't get if
the engine light is on!
The 94 Legacy is a FWD and another response suggests that the solenoid
is near the air intake. But if anyone has more detailed info ...would
appreciate.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Could this be part of the vapor recovery carbon canister dealie?
Sometimes there is just a broken plastic piece on some cars that will
throw a code. Of course there could be a legitimate problem with a valve
in that system too.
justa guess

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

 

[Wayne Farmer]

Could this be part of the vapor recovery carbon canister dealie?
Sometimes there is just a broken plastic piece on some cars that will
throw a code. Of course there could be a legitimate problem with a valve
in that system too.
justa guess

Carl, I think that's it. My 2001 Forester's service manual uses the term
"CPC valve" to refer to the "Canister purge control solenoid valve" or just
"purge control solenoid valve":

"The purge control solenoid valve is controlled by the ECM and provides
optimal purge control according to the engine condition . The signal from
the fuel temperature sensor and fuel level sensor installed in the fuel tank
is also used for this control."

"The purge control solenoid valve is on the evaporation line between
canister and throttle body. It is installed at the under side of intake
manifold."

Also check to be sure that your fuel tank cap is screwed on tightly. A
loose fuel cap can cause an improper fuel tank pressure to show up and turn
on the Check Engine light.

Wayne

 

[ceraboy]

Carl, I think that's it. My 2001 Forester's service manual uses the term
"CPC valve" to refer to the "Canister purge control solenoid valve" or just
"purge control solenoid valve":

"The purge control solenoid valve is controlled by the ECM and provides
optimal purge control according to the engine condition . The signal from
the fuel temperature sensor and fuel level sensor installed in the fuel tank
is also used for this control."

"The purge control solenoid valve is on the evaporation line between
canister and throttle body. It is installed at the under side of intake
manifold."

Also check to be sure that your fuel tank cap is screwed on tightly. A
loose fuel cap can cause an improper fuel tank pressure to show up and turn
on the Check Engine light.

Wayne

The purge control solenoid sounds like the problem. I have a 92 legacy
that gives me an intermittent check engine light with the same problem.
The 94 legacy also uses the OBD I diagnostics so it is quite easy to
check yourself to verify. Under the hood you should be able to easily
identify the green test connector just up from the hood release latch.
Just connect the two green connectors (sometimes it could be black) and
turn on the ignition (dont start the car). The check engine light will
start blinking. You are looking for code 35 (3 long flashes, 5 short
flashes).

Moving on, the purge solenoid is under the left hand side intake
menifold when looking at the engine with the hood up. The part itself
is rather small, a little over an 1.5 inches. It is a pain to get but
does not require the car to be jacked up. These things cost about $100
to buy and replace yourself. Good luck

 

[Bill Pelka]

John,

Here is some info on this problem.

http://subaru.sonik.us/ezboard/topics/19440.html