dsoltz

Would the motor still turn over? It sounds like it is catching, but then dies when I release the key. Will listen and also try the starter fluid (and try to get my hands on a scanner). Thanks!

Thank you both for this input! Any help on where I could find either this valve or sensor? Could I put a hand warmer on it to at least get the car going? Car is stuck in a cinema parking lot. I have tools here (and two boxes of catalytic hand warmers). It is currently 16 deg outside (at least warmer than -3 last night). Thanks again, Dave

Over the last month, my Subaru would sometimes not start on the first try. The motor did catch, but then died when I released the key. On the second or third try it started just fine. This occurred when the motor was cold. Unfortunately this problem suddenly got worse. I am on a road trip from California to Colorado (near Denver, ironically where I bought the car in 1998). My son and I just watched the new Star Wars movie, and when we came out the motor would catch and then die, but this time the problem persisted. I tried about 10 times and then gave up. It is 3 degrees outside. (Fortunately it was only a block to the hotel). Several years back I had a similar problem; the motor would not start when warm. I traced it to the crankshaft position sensor, and once replaced the problem was solved. This time the symptoms are different, the car will not start when cold. Could it be a similar sensor? There are other issues with the car, now coming up on 19 years old, but I will save these until this more urgent problem is addressed. If we cannot start the car, we will have no way to get back home. Thanks Much, Dave