Our 1993 2wd, 2.2 liter Normally Aspirated, Legacy L Wagon with 159,000 miles is having a stalling problem.

 

Randomly, at start-up only, the engine cranks and will not start. Come back to it after 3-5 minutes, and it starts right up and runs normally without any weird idle or revving issues. The car runs great through-out the power band. It is a problem only at start. Sometimes this stalling won't occur for a week or two.

 

I have done the following recently within the last 8000 miles:

 

New Purolator fuel filter

New NGK Plugs

New OEM plug wires

Cleaned out IAC Valve with brake cleaner (did this twice, just to be sure)

Battery is 2 years old and holds a good charge.

 

What should I check next? Cam position sensor going bad? The distributer thingy on top of the intake where the plug wires connect? Any ideas on where to proceed is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Have you tried to pull the ECU codes?

 

I'd suggest the coolant temp sensor first.

Oops...I didn't have a check engine light so I didn't even think to check the codes. Forgot all about the fact that some faults aren't going to set off the CEL. I like your coolant temp sensor idea though. I'll check the codes tomorrow afternoon to see what I get. Thanks!

Once I have seen Josh answer a post it almost seems pointless to reply. He is simply the master of the 90-94 Legacy and probably all Subes. Neonetheless, I will throw the Crank Sensor in as a potential gremlin.

Checked the codes. All I got was 32 (Oxygen Sensor). This is the original sensor on the car. Do you think this will solve the problem?

I'd probably suggest replacing the O2 sensor, especially if it's giving a code for it. Not sure it will cure the problem, but it'd be good to replace it with that many miles.

I agree. Got the 02 sensor on order. I ordered a coolant temp sensor also...it was $20. My plan is to install these 2 items this coming weekend. Thanks for the help so far.

You may want to install one, see if it fixes the problem, and then install the other. If you install both at the same time, and your problem is gone, you won't know which one fixed it.

Good advice! Wilco.