Hi, great site. I have recently purchased a 1997 legacy gt wagon 2.5 a/t

My problem is that sometimes it will run with a fast idle and when starting out it takes off like a rocket and when stopping you have to stand on the brakes.

Then other times it idles down and is very sluggish starting out. It does not stall. I have not tried anything yet, from searching this site I see several things to try but I would like to know what and in what order should I attack this. Thanks for any and all your help.

Welcome to the USMB.

 

I would probably suggest taking a look at the idle air control valve. It'll be located on the passenger side of the intake manifold just downstream of the throttle body.

 

The valve may be gunked up with oil/carbon and sticking. If you remove the top electro magnet portion, make sure to mark it's position in relation to the valve body so you can put it back in the same spot.