I have 2001 outback legacy 4cyl. I disconnected the battery and now the vehicle will not stay running. I had a check engine light on for the fuel cap I thought That is y I disconnected the battery. The check engine light is gone but the car won't run. It ran great before this 23 mpg no warning lights. Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated.

I'm guessing the alarm.

 

 

I don't know that body style well though.

 

You did NOTHING other than disconnect the battery?

 

Like you didn't take the airbox loose?

check out put of alt should be 14.20 no less than 13 ever and be carfull dont fry your ecu alternator is computer contored and dose not like voltage spikes like taking batt cable off when running not good idea

Yes, I disconnected the battery to clear a check engine light for the gas cap. Forgot to close and drove around. The car has been running great before all of this. 155k miles not burning oil and temp is always steady.

Oh the vehicle was not running just disconnected. Waited about 5 min then re connected. Car starts. Runs at 2k them idels and dies. I can keep it running but scared to try and drive. It any where. The check engine light does not come on when the car starts to choke out. Fuel pressure is good I can feel the line and good gas flow

Check alt output at 1800 RPM and battery condition. Below 1800 the alt doesnt do much as far as output.

 

Otherwise a huge vacume leak, like an unattached hose.

Ok thanks wii do. Could there be a computer problem

Doubt it as computers rarely go bad. Check the hose under the air box, thats a popular source of things like this.

Thanks for all the help. Still not running right. My handy work has landed me a tow to the shop. Hard to believe disconnecting the battery would cause so much trouble

Probably just a coincedence.

ive seen fuel pumps fail like this they will start the car and run it for a few then as it warms up i fails. when it fails see if you can start the car on carb cleaner. if you can then you are not getting fuel. doesnt mean it is nessicarily your pump it could also be your regulator. well its at the shop now. tell us what they find. if it is your pump it is a pretty quick and easy job. last one i did took me 30 mins

review what nipper said. my money's on his diagnosis

ive seen fuel pumps fail like this they will start the car and run it for a few then as it warms up i fails. when it fails see if you can start the car on carb cleaner. if you can then you are not getting fuel. doesnt mean it is nessicarily your pump it could also be your regulator. well its at the shop now. tell us what they find. if it is your pump it is a pretty quick and easy job. last one i did took me 30 mins

 

 

I would still like to know the original cause for failure. Has anyone done a fuel pressure test and tested the pressure regulator? A bad regulator can cause this too, but first the simple (read free) check of the hoses.