1st Time Baja Owner here with Questions????

[a_cmc_2b]

Hello to all, I live in South Mississippi and though I have never owned one I always loved the Brat, and was hooked on the Baja the 1st time I saw one. Well I finally ended up with 2003 Baja with 252,000 miles, that for the most part is a test run to see how it fits into my household as a secondary ride or in reality if my better 1/2 likes it or not, and if she does we will eventually be looking for an 06 Turbo Model. The closest ours will get to off-roading is being driven in a field, down gravel roads, and once in a blue moon driven onto a sand bar, while it's primary uses outside of secondary vehicle will be for me to metal detect out of, afternoon drives down to the Mississippi Coast, along with yard-sales and country auctions.

Ok, so now down to the nitty-gritty...

I am sure everything I am fixing to ask has already been covered here somewhere and I have looked and read some of the info, but I am hoping some of you that know this forum and the Baja inside and out will help me find all of my answers much faster.

1. Is there currently a Free Downloadable Service Manual Available?

2. What are the ins and outs of replacing the rear struts?

3. I have a bad Miss at Idle that doesn't go away when the car warms up. The only Code I am getting is a P0032 which I believe is for the 1st/Leading O2 Sensor.

4. The Windshield Wipers do not work at all and the fuse is good. I'm guessing it is the switch here and if so can it be rebuilt? If it can't be rebuilt does anyone know if switches off of any other Subaru's will work.

5. My front Right Axle has a busted boot, but is currently not giving any problems, but I will be replacing it after I deal with the above issues, are there any secrets to R&R'ing it or is it just a straight forward job.

6. Is there a Front Facia/Bumper Cover off of any other Subaru that will fit right on the Baja?

7. What is the best aftermarket Key Fob for the keyless entry to use?

8. Do the keys for the 2003 have a resistor/chip in them or can I just get a key made at any locksmsith?

I know that ended up being a bunch of questions, but hopefully some of y'all can help with individual ones and I will be able to easily find the answers/links I need simply by coming back to this one thread.

[anarchy1024]

Hi, welcome!

1. Go to Google.com, type in "subaru fsm" (without quotation marks), and good results should present themselves.

2. There are two nuts at the top, and one nut/bolt at the bottom. The get access to the top two on the passenger side, the plastic trim will have to be removed. The driver's side is accessible through the cubby hole where the jack is stored. When replacing the struts, replace the top mounts at the same time; it's cheap enough, and will save you trouble in the future. New mounts also (should) come with two new self-locking nuts. I think the manual also recommends replacing the lower nut with a new one, too.

3. Sorry, not sure about this one.

4. The switches should be the same as Gen 3 (2000-2004) Outbacks and Legacies. Before replacing the switch, I'd try to find a wiring diagram and use a continuity tester / multimeter to check if the switch actually is the problem. It could also be a burned out motor or broken wires...

5. I followed this video when I replaced mine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf8uRTjfxsk. Highly recommend getting circlip pliers if you don't already have them https://www.harborfreight.com/2-pc-10-i ... 60593.html .... would have saved at least an hour of frustration.

6. I think the front bumper or grill is slightly different from other Subarus, but I don't have any experience here either.

7. Do you need aftermarket? You can get an original one for $23 http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-2000-2001-2 ... YP&vxp=mtr or two for $36 http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-For-2000-2001 ... qy&vxp=mtr.

8. No transponder or chip in the keys.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

[a_cmc_2b]

Thanks anarchy1024!

Hi, welcome!

1. Go to Google.com, type in "subaru fsm" (without quotation marks), and good results should present themselves.

2. There are two nuts at the top, and one nut/bolt at the bottom. The get access to the top two on the passenger side, the plastic trim will have to be removed. The driver's side is accessible through the cubby hole where the jack is stored. When replacing the struts, replace the top mounts at the same time; it's cheap enough, and will save you trouble in the future. New mounts also (should) come with two new self-locking nuts. I think the manual also recommends replacing the lower nut with a new one, too.

3. Sorry, not sure about this one.

4. The switches should be the same as Gen 3 (2000-2004) Outbacks and Legacies. Before replacing the switch, I'd try to find a wiring diagram and use a continuity tester / multimeter to check if the switch actually is the problem. It could also be a burned out motor or broken wires...

5. I followed this video when I replaced mine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf8uRTjfxsk. Highly recommend getting circlip pliers if you don't already have them https://www.harborfreight.com/2-pc-10-i ... 60593.html .... would have saved at least an hour of frustration.

6. I think the front bumper or grill is slightly different from other Subarus, but I don't have any experience here either.

7. Do you need aftermarket? You can get an original one for $23 http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-2000-2001-2 ... YP&vxp=mtr or two for $36 http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-For-2000-2001 ... qy&vxp=mtr.

8. No transponder or chip in the keys.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

[Guacamole]

Firstly, congrats on the purchase & welcome to the Baja club! As you may or may not know, the Baja uses a modified 2nd-gen Legacy chassis, so many of the parts are interchangeable with 2000-2004 Legacies & Outbacks. This means a lot of the repair & service manuals out there that are labeled 'Baja' are actually not Bajas, but most of the parts & disassembly/reassembly are the same. Also to note, the entire production line of NA Bajas all use 80% of the same parts, but are all interchangeable. It's mainly only cosmetic, upholstery, and suspension differences between the NA models. Now, onto your questions:

1. Here is a link to the scoobytruck library: http://www.scoobytruck.com/lib.html, where there is (almost) all the known documentation.
There's also the complete baja repair manual repository here: http://jdmfsm.info/Auto/Japan/Subaru/Baja/ (use 2004 for your '03).

2. To replace the rear struts you'll have to remove the rear seat & the interior trim to even get to them. Apparently, it's a pain in the... well, you know. On top of that, OEM parts are scarce for a DIY job, & the aftermarket parts have no guarantee of the same ride height. (03s are lowest, 04s-06s are same highest height) So you might as well replace all 4 if you're going for it.

3. Check to see if there are any leaks in the vacuum hoses or if the air intake or filter is clogged, & yes, P0032 is a bad bank 1 02 sensor.
See thread: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1457&p=9029&hilit=P0032#p9029

4. Make sure the wiring to the wipers is not toast & the wiper motors are still good, but the switch is the same off a 2000-2004 legacy or outback.

5. No idea since I've never done an axle repair myself, but I hear it's easier to replace the entire axle rather than just the boot.

6. You mean a car bra?

duke.JPG (69.52 KiB) Viewed 5741 times

Seriously though, they destroy the underlying paint if you leave them on too long- would not recommend. The upper legacy & outback ones fit, but the bottom cover is baja-exclusive.

7. I bought this one & programmed it myself: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008X ... UTF8&psc=1. All the buttons work except the trunk (lol), but it was on sale 2 years ago.
There's others on amazon & ebay: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss ... ru+key+fob, just note that it has to be either the teardrop-shaped one or the squarish one with the orange & blue buttons.
Or you could buy one from a Subie dealer & have it programmed for you for the measly price of ~$200.

8. No, Bajas do not have a transponder in the keys. I got mine done at the local Subie dealership for like $20/key.

EDIT: Damnit, anarchy beat me as I typed this up.

[a_cmc_2b]

Thanks Guacamole, I was hoping there would be folks like anarchy and you here. Te information y'all provide will make my life much easier...

In regards to the axle, the plan would be to replace the whole assembly since I do not know how long the boot has been torn and it is just easier. I was just asking in case there was some trick to this particular model. And about the front bumper cover, I didn't mean a "Bra" I was actually referring to the plastic(?) molded body piece as mine doesn't look so good and I don't think I will have much luck finding one of these in the local salvage yards.

Firstly, congrats on the purchase & welcome to the Baja club! As you may or may not know, the Baja uses a modified 2nd-gen Legacy chassis, so many of the parts are interchangeable with 2000-2004 Legacies & Outbacks. This means a lot of the repair & service manuals out there that are labeled 'Baja' are actually not Bajas, but most of the parts & disassembly/reassembly are the same. Also to note, the entire production line of NA Bajas all use 80% of the same parts, but are all interchangeable. It's mainly only cosmetic, upholstery, and suspension differences between the NA models. Now, onto your questions:

1. Here is a link to the scoobytruck library: http://www.scoobytruck.com/lib.html, where there is (almost) all the known documentation.
There's also the complete baja repair manual repository here: http://jdmfsm.info/Auto/Japan/Subaru/Baja/ (use 2004 for your '03).

2. To replace the rear struts you'll have to remove the rear seat & the interior trim to even get to them. Apparently, it's a pain in the... well, you know. On top of that, OEM parts are scarce for a DIY job, & the aftermarket parts have no guarantee of the same ride height. (03s are lowest, 04s are higher, 05s & 06s are same highest height) So you might as well replace all 4 if you're going for it.

3. Check to see if there are any leaks in the vacuum hoses or if the air intake or filter is clogged, & yes, P0032 is a bad bank 1 02 sensor.
See thread: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1457&p=9029&hilit=P0032#p9029

4. Make sure the wiring to the wipers is not toast & the wiper motors are still good, but the switch is the same off a 2000-2004 legacy or outback.

5. No idea since I've never done an axle repair myself, but I hear it's easier to replace the entire axle rather than just the boot.

6. You mean a car bra?
duke.JPG
Seriously though, they destroy the underlying paint if you leave them on too long- would not recommend. The upper legacy & outback ones fit, but the bottom cover is baja-exclusive.

7. I bought this one & programmed it myself: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008X ... UTF8&psc=1. All the buttons work except the trunk (lol), but it was on sale 2 years ago.
There's others on amazon & ebay: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss ... ru+key+fob, just note that it has to be either the teardrop-shaped one or the squarish one with the orange & blue buttons.
Or you could buy one from a Subie dealer & have it programmed for you for the measly price of ~$200.

8. No, Bajas do not have a transponder in the keys. I got mine done at the local Subie dealership for like $20/key.

EDIT: Damnit, anarchy beat me as I typed this up.