I need some advice.

We have a new-to-us '04 non-turbo Forester, 5 speed) with 115,000 miles. The car is very clean and appears to be in excellent condition. Seems to run well.

Just after we got the car a few weeks ago the check engine light (CEL) came on. The code reported was P0519. My info says that is not a recognized code and it cannot be erased. The CEL light goes out after a couple of driving cycles. I searched this forum for info on the P0519 code and found a thread that, in short, said that the problem is the Neutral Switch on the transmission (5 speed) intermittently failing. I've ordered a new switch but have not received it yet. Today when I was coming to a stop thhe engine almost died. That symptom had hopened before but I thought tht maybe I had not pushed the clutch in far enough. Today I know it was pushed in far enough. It 'stumbled' but did not actually stop running. The CEL light was on at the time. Could the IACV cause this symptom? And do you gurus support the Neutral Switch as the potential fault? Or.........is there something else I should be looking at.

Maybe I'm being a little over-cautious in that the car is new to me.

Yes, it can be caused by the neutral switch. I had the same thing happen on a 98 Forester. There are two switches on the trans one neutral, the forward one if my memory is correct and the Reverse Switch.

 

Both of them plug in to the harness up in the engine compartment close to the engine trans flange. You can check them with a meter, they are just open close switches.

You can check them with a meter, they are just open close switches.

 

I am assuming open when in neutral and closed otherwise?