Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Ultimate Subaru Message Board

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

1990 subaru legacy starting issue

Featured Replies

bought it like it and want to make it right. please any feed back is appreciated.

my only 2 problems when the car is cold i have to give it a little bit of gas while starting it then hold it for about 5 seconds or so, other wise it just wants to stumble and not start, I believe this is a tps problem, can it be cleaned? or switched out with my spare 91 legacy parts car that doesn't have the starting issue? or just buy a new one?

my other problem I have is my brights do not work it just shuts off the regular lights. checked the fuses, changed the bulbs, maybe bad wiring or bad switch? maybe some thing my parts car can be switched out?

Edited by maniac

Probably a dirty idle air control solenoid. You can try spraying carb cleaner in to clean it, pull off the 1" black rubber hose that goes to the IAC which is on the passenger side of the throttle body and hose the valve inside down. You may have to take the whole valve off the intake to clean it properly.

 

Headlights could be the switch or the relay, which I think is under the dash on those. Do the high beams work when you pull the switch into the "flash to pass" position?

  • Author

when I switch to the brights it just shuts down the lights completely no head lights at all .

The headlight switch has 3 positions. Low beams, high beams, and a springloaded flash high beams position. What does it do in the springloaded position?

Starting issue could be the IAC or a failed engine temp sensor. Its telling the ecu the engine is warm so it doesn't get enough fuel to start properly.

Simple things can help as well. Get new plugs and wires, new PCV valve, air and fuel filters. Check for split/broken vacuum hoses as well.

  • Author

1.first position normal lights work fine.2 pull back for spring load high turns lights out completely let go to normal lights come back on, 3.push forward for high and shuts lights out completely,

sounds like a bad column switch imho..... not too hard to replace just a pita lol.... also check the grounds for that circuit....subaru has been known to paint before they attach their grounds to the frame....thus bad grounds everywhere

Try the other things listed. A bottle of Seafoam can work wonders on older/high mileage cars. Clears things out... and smokes your neighbors out of their homes in the process.

  • Author

funny I just picked up a can of seafoam yesterday

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

Sign In Now

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.