DAB

I had a similar problem in my 94 Legacy...usually when there was some kind of load on the car, like accelleration, or high outside temp with air on. I learned to live with it until I was listening to car talk and reading a manual, and had done things like change plugs and wires. I changed the Coil pack...4 screws and ten dollars about a year ago and have had no problems since. I don't understand a lot of the issues discussed by the moer experienced, but I did try to sort this out, and even the dealer seemed stumped, so maybe this is why they sold the coil pack to me at wholesale. No problems since..though I have heard of other Legacy and Outback owners with the same problem...I even called the national Subaru center to see if there had been a recall since I knew several folks with the problem. We have this one fixed, and are driving a '05 for long trips.Maybe this will help...codes were of no help, even though the dealer extracted them at least three times at no cost.DAB I've been round and round on this fault code. Quick referesher - engine runs fine and usually this problem surfaces during hwy driving. While cruising along, the engine simply quites, throws the code. Or sometime, all of this is preceeded with engine shuddering then dying. My wife's nerves are shot due to the last time when her car slowed considerably and almost got run over by a 18 wheeler. As you know, their air horns can hit the nerves when they're directly behind you! :madder: Anyway, I replaced the knock sensor and the ECU plus the usual maint items: plugs, wires, etc. After the ECU was replaced, the problem was gone for a few months. The ECU was used but known good from a Subi tech. If this is indicative of a valve dropping or such, I'll gladly fix it. But I hate to tear into it w/o substantial proof. I can use some quick help on this one since my wife drives for her work carting kids around. She has lost total confidence in her baby. What's worse, she now has my SVX :cornfuzz: Thanks a bunch. '95 Legacy wagon 130k miles no other issues!

I went to our subaru dealer after listening to Car Talk and bought a coil pack and for ten bucks installed it, and no other problems to date. THe dealer even let me have the pack at wholesale price because they had not been able to find the problem...they charged $45 for a computer check...but we are in the South and maybe some things are cheaper. DAB

I will try to get the codes... I do have them on one repair sheet from long ago, but nothing changed after that...They are honest, but not very deductive or intuitive...not problem solvers in the old sense but parts changers...they do good work when they do it, but honestly other than this problem, I have had only tires, and boots, and brakes and regular oil and filter changes. I told the older men about the legacy777 site and they were quite interested. Perhaps your comments will make them a better facility..they are locally owned and operated...home town folks in a metro area of 50K. Will try to get the codes. Thanks again...DAB

Actually the problems started the first time I took it in at 60K...plugs, wires, pvc, fuel and air filter...just normal maintenance.. Since then they have run for free the computer code checker...and once it came back and our friend at the dealership said..this cannot be right..if these things were wrong it would not work...and now just the check engine light and the misbehaving problem at 140K. I think the carbon is on the sensor and the friend at the dealer said it is just an emission thing and we are not in a place where one must change it...I went by and they will order a coil pack and bolts for it...easy enough to change, and indicated they would pass on wholesale price.. now that would be a gift. We shall see, they are really helpful and honest...just pricey. Folks seem to live with the problem..the parts manager has a car which does the same thing and he lives with it...knew two others who either lived with the problem, or gave the car to family. Since the 60K maintenance, another mechanic did virtually the same work thinking maybe there were bad wires...I don't think so. Thanks again.. we hope to sort this out before the need for AC in South Georgia...I love my Legacy...I do not want to drive the new one my husband is driving. DAB

Thanks for the reply.. I have been fighting this thing since the 60K maintenance...I thought they had done something wrong at the dealership...they are honest but since I am dependent on them there is just so much I can do as an older female ...I am a gardener...but I used to carry the tools for my brothers, so I was most disturbed when they said a man would just turn off the engine and start again...like I am going to do that on the Interstate...Anyway. I will take the car for the requisite tune up and ask for the coil pack to be changed as well....as that is the only thing not changed for 60K, So I guess it is time for some maintenance.. I am in charge of keeping all the wheel running since we had children driving, but my spouse likes to do cheap/easy fixes.. I just want to do the right one. Thanks for you input. DAB

I have a 94 Legacy which occasionally shudders and stalls or shudders and recovers...usually when it has a load..heat and AC or acceleration most often when the engine is cold.At one time this happened and we changed plugs and wires at 60K and 75K because we thought that was the problem,but I cannot find a record of the coil pack being changed and I keep all records (is this expensive to change?), and the Car Talk guys said this was a frequent problem and they have changed the coil pack.. Any related problems and cures out there? We had another 93 with the same problem as did two other people...and no code came up and no one knew what to do except let it run a while before acceleration. Thanks for your help.