Over the last month, my Subaru would sometimes not start on the first try. The motor did catch, but then died when I released the key. On the second or third try it started just fine. This occurred when the motor was cold.

 

Unfortunately this problem suddenly got worse. I am on a road trip from California to Colorado (near Denver, ironically where I bought the car in 1998). My son and I just watched the new Star Wars movie, and when we came out the motor would catch and then die, but this time the problem persisted. I tried about 10 times and then gave up. It is 3 degrees outside. (Fortunately it was only a block to the hotel).

 

Several years back I had a similar problem; the motor would not start when warm. I traced it to the crankshaft position sensor, and once replaced the problem was solved. This time the symptoms are different, the car will not start when cold. Could it be a similar sensor?

 

There are other issues with the car, now coming up on 19 years old, but I will save these until this more urgent problem is addressed. If we cannot start the car, we will have no way to get back home.

 

Thanks Much,

 

Dave

One thing to check might be the engine coolant temp sensor. The easiest way to check is with scangauge or similar device plugged into the ODBII port. What temp does it claim the coolant is when the engine is cold? I forget the way these normally fail but for example if it claims the coolant temp is say 100 deg F and the car has been say sitting outside overnight and it is 3 deg F then that could cause some starting issues.

I think you have a cold-start valve on the engine, it may have a problem.

Thank you both for this input! Any help on where I could find either this valve or sensor?

 

Could I put a hand warmer on it to at least get the car going?

 

Car is stuck in a cinema parking lot. I have tools here (and two boxes of catalytic hand warmers). It is currently 16 deg outside (at least warmer than -3 last night).

 

Thanks again,

 

Dave

Unfortunately, it could be a lot of things.  It's just a matter of process of elimination.  My favorite is a fuel pump failure since it just just occured on my 97.  To test this, turn the key to on, you should hear the fuel pump run for about a second.  Of course, if the pump is running, then you may still have the problem that maybe the fuel rail pressure isn't enough.  Another approach is to take apart the intake and squirt a little starter fluid into the intake.  The car should then start and run for 10 sec. This would kind of indicate a fuel problem as compared to an ignition problem. 

Would the motor still turn over? It sounds like it is catching, but then dies when I release the key.

 

Will listen and also try the starter fluid (and try to get my hands on a scanner).

 

Thanks!