This is the 3rd time my 96 Subaru Outback has died while driving it on a trip in the rain. I'm hoping someone will have some advice. All is well with the car then it starts to stutter like with a clogged fuel filter. It gradually gets worse and worse until it just stalls out completely. This time it left my wife and 4 month old at a gas station. We took it to the dealer and they replaced the O2 sensor. That seemed to work until it did it again. Does this sound electrical to anyone? It seems to only happen in the rain. If it is electrical, how would you pinpoint the problem? The closest dealership is 40 min from our house so any help you can give would be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

ryan

Sounds like ignition voltage leakage when wet. See this thread for clues:

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=45322

 

Be sure to get OEM (Subaru) ignition parts when replacing.

Thanks for the reply. I've recently had the wires changed so I'm hoping that isn't the case. Is there a simple way to diagnose a bad ignition mod? I think a code popped up this time, but I need to wait untill tomorrow to get it checked. Any idea if a code would show bad ign mod?

 

Thanks again,

ryan

 

 

 

Sounds like ignition voltage leakage when wet. See this thread for clues:

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=45322

 

Be sure to get OEM (Subaru) ignition parts when replacing.

We are going to make this happen on demand. AT dusk you are going to use a spray bottle filled with water. With the car running, your going to spray all the high voltage ignition parts, and look for pretty blue sparks.

I think you have a cracked coil tower.

 

nipper

I love spraing high voltage parts! just kidding .. sounds great. Thanks for the reply and the all help. I moved to a town that only considers fords and chevys real cars, and the nearest subi dealer is 1 hour from here. Anyway....thanks again.

 

ryan

 

 

We are going to make this happen on demand. AT dusk you are going to use a spray bottle filled with water. With the car running, your going to spray all the high voltage ignition parts, and look for pretty blue sparks.

I think you have a cracked coil tower.

 

nipper

We are going to make this happen on demand. AT dusk you are going to use a spray bottle filled with water. With the car running, your going to spray all the high voltage ignition parts, and look for pretty blue sparks.

Agreed, which is why I linked to the older thread that had a post suggesting this technique. By the way, sometimes it takes a bit of time for the moisture to seep into a problem area, so spray (gently at first) and wait a minute or two before assuming a part is okay.

Agreed, which is why I linked to the older thread that had a post suggesting this technique. By the way, sometimes it takes a bit of time for the moisture to seep into a problem area, so spray (gently at first) and wait a minute or two before assuming a part is okay.

 

all else fails there is the hose. Soak the engine, let it sit for a few hours, then try t start it. Well somone else start it while you look for lightning.

 

nipper

sounds like what my car was doing after the snorkusectomy. water was getting into the intake.

are the wires Subaru OEM wires or parst store wires? i bet they are parts store wires and that could be the issue as well. these motors need Subaru OEM or Magnecor wires ONLY. third time this week....sorry guys.....