Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
1998 Subaru Forester BaseFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Retrieving Codes
NOTE:
If ABS warning light malfunction occurs, perform appropriate test under WARNING LIGHT CIRCUIT TESTING.
- Locate ABS diagnostic connector. See Fig 1 . Turn ignition off. Connect one diagnostic terminal to terminal No. 6 of DLC. Turn ignition on. Determine Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) by counting number of times ABS warning light flashes. Up to 3 codes can be stored at a time, with the most recent code displayed first.
- ABS warning light first flashes DTC 11, which is the start code. DTCs will then be flashed. After codes are flashed, DTC 11 will again be displayed and codes repeated. If there is no DTCs in memory, only DTC 11 will exist. See ABS DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) TEST table. Perform appropriate test under DIAGNOSTIC TESTS .
ABS DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) TEST
| DTC | Fault | TEST No. |
|---|---|---|
| DTC 11 | Start Code | None |
| DTC 21 | Right Front Sensor (Open) | TEST 1 |
| DTC 22 | Right Front Sensor (Short) | TEST 2 |
| DTC 23 | Left Front Sensor (Open) | TEST 1 |
| DTC 24 | Left Front Sensor (Short) | TEST 2 |
| DTC 25 | Right Rear Sensor (Open) | TEST 1 |
| DTC 26 | Right Rear Sensor (Short) | TEST 2 |
| DTC 27 | Left Rear Sensor (Open) | TEST 1 |
| DTC 28 | Left Rear Sensor (Short) | TEST 2 |
| DTC 29 | Wheel Speed Sensor Signal Problem | TEST 3 |
| DTC 31 | Right Front Inlet Solenoid Valve | TEST 4 |
| DTC 32 | Right Front Outlet Solenoid Valve | TEST 5 |
| DTC 33 | Left Front Inlet Solenoid Valve | TEST 4 |
| DTC 34 | Left Front Outlet Solenoid Valve | TEST 5 |
| DTC 35 | Right Rear Inlet Solenoid Valve | TEST 4 |
| DTC 36 | Right Front Outlet Solenoid Valve | TEST 5 |
| DTC 37 | Left Rear Inlet Solenoid Valve | TEST 4 |
| DTC 38 | Left Rear Outlet Solenoid Valve | TEST 5 |
| DTC 41 | ABS Control Module Problem | TEST 6 |
| DTC 42 | Low/High Supply Voltage | TEST 7 |
| DTC 44 | A/T Control Problem | TEST 8 |
| DTC 51 | Valve Relay Problem | TEST 9 |
| DTC 52 | Motor &/Or Motor Relay | TEST 10 |
| DTC 54 | Stoplight Switch Problem | TEST 11 |
| DTC 56 | "G" Sensor Output Voltage Problem | TEST 12 |
Factory Service Tools
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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