[Legacy won't start anymore when it was running only for a mile]

I 'm not a mechnanic but had the same problem with my 86 944. After washing the engine compartment while it was running ( duh) the problem appeared. After running about 1 to 5 minutes the car would not start again when shut off. Cranked but no start. After having it towed ( 3 times I might add ) I finaliy figured out after 10 or 15 minutes it would start again. Needless to say since Porche could not duplicate the problem by the time they got the car they could not find it. Intermitten problems are a $%^. Anyway they eventually replaced the computer controll unit and the car never had the problem again. Cost me a bundle for my own stupidity!

 

Hope this helps.

 

Overthehill

Hi,

 

I got a weird problem with my Legacy 2.2 Automate (2. Gen. make '95) and no Subaru dealer has a clue so far what this might be. When the car was running for a mile or two and I stop, turn off the engine and try to start it again, it will no more start. This symptom occurs only when the machine is neither warm yet nor cold anymore. It has sparks on all 4 plugs, gas pump has pressure, the ignition works fine, still does not start anymore. Have you got any idea what is causing this behaviour? It is pretty annoying when getting stranded at a gasoline station or at a supermarket. Then I wait for 15 or 20 minutes and it starts again without a problem. If the engine is completely cold or it has already warmed up, no problem at all. No errors can be read out from the ECU afterwards.

 

Here something about my car. It is a Subaru Legacy 2. Generation, 2.2 Automate, 120'000 km on it (about 75'000 miles), make '95, regular maintanance.

 

Many thanks for your advices.

['96 wagon - heat is inconsistent]

Seems like when I'm driving now in the cold, I get insufficient heat, so I turn the heat lever all the over to the right to stay warm. But then every once in a while it suddenly starts blasting hot air, and I have to turn it back down again.

 

Any ideas??

 

I have a 2006 ob and the heat is so hot I was concerned about it being abnormal. If your heat is very inconsistant, very hot then not hot at all you have a problem. At first I thought the thermostat but I'm not sure? Maybe sticking.

 

Is this the only symptom? Is the engine temp varying? Any of the good mechanics who visit this site might need more to go on. It definitely does not sound right.

 

Overthehill

[In general, are turbos a maintenance problem?]

I seem to have the impression that turbos are a maintenance nightmare and $$$$$$$$$$$$$. Shoud I try to avoid a turbo engine in my wife's next car?

 

You have left an open ended question here. Do turbo's cost more? Are turbo's a maintenance nightmare? Should I avoid it in my wife's car? I will give you my two cents.

 

Do turbo's cost more? Yep More up front when you buy the car and yes they cost more to maintain than their non-turbo counter part.

 

Are turbo's a maintenance nightmare? Todays turbo's are much better ( efficient, better designed, ) and in most cases the engine's there on are better equiped to handle the extra strain. I wouldn't say they are a maintenance nightmare.

 

Why would you want to give the wife a turbo. Buy 2.5 4 cylinder. 175HP is plenty and she will love the extra gas milage.

 

Now having said the above, many will tell you the feel of a turbo engine is worth every penny. Especially if you love spirited driving. Tuff choice.

 

I personnaly drive the 2.5 175hp non-turbo 2006 OB. When I get the urge for speed, I simply take the Porche out of the garage.

 

But if you can only buy one car?

 

Overthehill

[Wheels For 2006 Outback]

Thanks Gary. The information on the head gasket obviously is music to my ears.

 

best bet is to get another set of wheels for your snow tires. then just swap out sets of wheels as needed. otherwise if it's done right you can swap your tires whenever you want without issue.

 

headgaskets were issues on the older motors....like 2001 and earlier, so you've got nothing to worry about. the newer head gasket designs have elminated the problem.

 

on the temperature range - different years/models have different visual ranges. in other words 180 degrees on one model might be 1/4 of the gauge and 1/2 up the gauge on another model. my XT6's (older subaru's) run about 1/4 - 1/3 up the gauge. they never get 1/2 way...if they do i know there's a problem. when i got a newer impreza outback sport i noticed immediately the gauge was always around 1/2 way as well and thought it might be something to look into . talked to a couple other OBS owners and they said that was normal. being a newer model i'd guess it's similar to what you're talking about and probably not an issue. i've also been in cars where the heat is hot enough that you really can't stand to keep your hand right on the vent...too hot, i don't believe that's necessarily an issue either.

[Wheels For 2006 Outback]

Some opinions please. Just purchased my second Outback. A 2006 wagon with 2.5 L. Very happy so far with 2500 miles on her. The stock tires seem OK all around but with this winter promising to be pretty bad here in northeast Ohio I'm thinking about dedicated Winter tires.

 

When did Subaru go to the 17" Wheels? I would like to buy an old set of wheels for winter use but i think the 17" Wheels are new to the 2006 year.

 

Is it or can it be damaging to your wheels to change tires on them twice a year?

 

One other thing. I've read all the threads on head gasket failure. Has this been fixed in the newest model years or is this still a real threat. I've noticed that this Subaru engine runs very hot. The guage is always half way so I know the engine is running within factory specifications, but it is the hotest running engine I've ever seen. Even the heat is so hot it feels like it could burn you if you left your hand in front of the vents. I wonder if this could be good for any engine.

 

Thanks

Overthehill

[Thanks Nipper]

No the engine was not running. Put the key in and move it to on. The seat belt alarm will start going off. Snap the seat belt in place and wait for the alarm flashing on the dash to go off. About a second. Then plug and uplug the seat belt around 20-24 times. Then take the key out. Put the key back in and see what you got. I thought I was going to have to hire a warlock and say a few chants but it finally worked.

 

 

 

 

I have been trying it for a week, still havn't gotten it to work.

 

Did you have the engine running?

Did you start with the sequence with the belt in or out?

 

:-\

 

I feel like a small brained monkey jamming my seat belt in and out like that when the rest of my life is spent over obsessing the pampering of the car.

[Thanks Nipper]

Thanks Nipper. Life is quite and good. The seat belt alarm disconnect sequence you sent me finally worked. I think the secret is to let the car sit for a while before doing the routine. I tried at least 20 times before it finally worked. Now I don't go crazy at the drive thru's and Banks windows.

 

1500 Miles on the new Outback and lovin it.

 

Thanks

 

Overthehill

[Seat Belt Alarm]

OK Nip pretty funny. After trying about 10 times I get no results. If this is a joke I'm laughing with you. If not it doesn't seem to work.

 

What's the scoop.

 

Overthehill

 

 

Thanks Nipper. I will give it a try and let you know how it went.

 

Overthehill

[Seat Belt Alarm]

Thanks Nipper. I will give it a try and let you know how it went.

 

Overthehill

 

There is a weird on off way of doing it ... let me see if i can find the way of doing it. Its a luducrously complicated method of on of's if i remeber correctly.

 

 

found it....

 

The seatbelt chime can be turned off by the user. Just turn the key to the

ACC position and begin buckling and unbuckling the seat belt as soon as the

chimes start. Remember to wait until the seatbelt icon stops blinking before

unbuckling. Repeat twenty buckle/unbuckle repetitions and remove the key.

The chimes should be disabled the next time you start the engine. The

process seems to be finicky so you may need to repeat it several times

before it takes hold.

 

 

this is from an edmunds board on outbacks

 

 

 

nipper

[Seat Belt Alarm]

Just bought a new 2006 Outback. WOW. I'm hooked. Put 1000 miles on the first week. Can't get enough.

 

One of you Soobie nuts who are obsessed as I'm becoming must know how to SHUT THIS !@#$ Seatbelt alarm off. Dealer says against the law to shut it off or tell me how. Maybe, Maybe not. But there is always other ways.

 

There are times when I just can't wear it even most of the time I do.

 

Thanks

 

Overthehill.