dan macmillan

It has lots of battery power. spins over at a normal rate and will for a long time. There is nothing wrong with the starter teeth. It engages perfectly. I am a licensed automotive/truck and coach/heavy equip mechanic with over 25 years experience and have never seen a car behave the way this one does. It just bobbles my mind. That is why I am asking for help. Maybe someone out there that is more familiar with Subarus can shed some light on this. I don't think it is so much temp related in the way some are thinking. Yes temp is having an effect. On the hottest summer day it will do the same thing but on the coldest winter day it will take multiple attempts before it actually starts. When I warm it up to normal operating temperature it starts usually on the first attempt. However on the next morning [cold engine] it goes back to needing the starter momentarily engaged. Cycling the key on and off to prime the fuel system has no effect on it, I have installed a fuel press gauge and during my first key on attempt the fuel pressure rises to 33 psi and stays there until the engine starts. I have searched many forums and found people with similar experiences but no posted solutions. Thank you in advance for your help and suggestions. Hopefully we can solve this so others can benefit from the results.

Pedal position has no effect. Like I said the only thing that allows it to start is to momentarily engage the starter then key off and restart. The engine does not have to roll over a full revolution on the first crank attempt. It just needs the starter to engage. I don't drive it in the winter so it sits for a while. This is when I must do it multiple times. But yesterday it was about 32 deg F and my son moved it down the driveway. {never warmed it up} A few hours later I turned the key to crank. No signs of it trying to start. Turned key off then immediately back to start. Fired up perfectly and idled like a new car. Drove back down the driveway without a hickup.

I have a 98 legacy brighton with a stock NA 2.2lThe problem, on first startup of the day it will crank {turn over} endlessly with absolutely no signs of trying to start. On the second attempt ie turn the key off then retry, {key must be turned to off} it fires instantly and usually continues to run. If it is cold {below 40 deg F} it will sputter a bit and I may have to restart again. I have determined that on the first try I do not have to roll the engine over on the starter, just momentarily bump the starter. Cycling the key repeatedly to prime the fuel system does not help. The starter must be momentarily engaged. There are no engine codes and the CEL illuminates when the key is turned to on as a bulb check. I have done the following. New plugs, new ign coil, new plug wires, new fuel filter, new battery. Scan data shows the coolant temp is showing ambient temp. Fuel pressure is well within specs, inj pulse is present as is spark during the first starting attempt. I do not know if cam signal is present during the first attempt. I have searched and found a few people have similar issues but have never found the cause or the fix. Please help as this is not normal and is driving me nuts.