Hello All

I've been enjoying the site for months as a guest, finally took the plunge to become a member and post my first thread. I've got a 1993 2WD AT Legacy Wagon 158K. Over the past 2 months it has developed a pesky problem of Stalling when under load like heavy acceleration or maintaining speed on moderate hills. It loses power, RPMs drop, no response from accelerator, engine diesels then dies. If, during the process, I put it in neutral, it actually dies quicker. It starts back up, sometimes with an initial shudder and then it smooths itself out and I motor happily on. The check engine light doesn't come on. I started going thru the manual and have checked most of the sensors. Also did a tune-up including fuel filter(1st culprit I suspected). Did find that the ignition coil has primary resistance about double what it should be(secondary resistance is within range) and IAC stays open even when warm but without going ahead and replacing these somewhat pricey parts just to see if it will solve the problem was wondering if anyone out there recognizes the problem and could lend some advice.

Not sure if it has anything to with your problem, but have you checked (and try cleaning) the Air Mass Sensor? Might as well give it a try.

duosubaruo

I have done a couple of legacy’s with this problem that you have described. Both ended up being Main relay, going intermittent while under load and staling when pulling into a parking space.

Although you said he check engine light has not come on have you checked for codes?

Check for codes 35 Cpc solenoid and (22 or24) Iac valve operation, if these 2 codes show up and you have the symptoms you say I would start with the relay

You can try and cause it to fault some times by tapping it (gently) with a long screwdriver while the car is running. What will happen usually is the car will run rough and then stabilize or stay rough running until you shut the ignition off and restart the car

So now your asking where is this relay? This is the part where you don't want anyone around that doesn't want to hear you swear alot, because the engineers put it in a really tight spot

The relay is located above the inside fuse box on the left "a" pillar behind the dash. You will have to remove the knee pad on the lower part of the dash to see the relay

If you look way back in on the left side you will see 3 relays, the one you want is the brown (Jidtco) relay

Have fun and hope this helps

 

SEA#3

Thanks for the input, I'm just learning about how to diagnose some of this stuff, because quite honestly this is the first time it has been necessary, but I guess the car is getting to that age. Question; with this many miles and not knowing if there are untold numbers of old stored codes in the system, should I clear the codes first then let it stall and check them then? or just go ahead and see what it says?

duosubaruo

It wouldn't hurt, write down the codes before you clear them

You could then tap the relay and see if you get any codes as well

SEA#3