eiremed Posted August 15, 2006 Share Posted August 15, 2006 I've had some trouble starting my 1996 Legacy L Wagon. I took it to a garage and the guy said a couple of the "sensors" were dirty. Not sure what sensors they were. He cleaned them and it started fine for about 6 months. Now I'm back to the same problem. It starts great in the morning or after it has sat for a solid 4 hours. But, if I stop to go into a store it either won't start or it takes a litany of four letter words and beating on the steering wheel (usually a combination of both). I have a badly torn CV boot on the front passenger side which splatters grease all over that area including the cat conv. My question is: Is one of these "sensors" somewhere around that area? Can I just clean it off myself until I get the new axle assembly installed? (BTW, I have ordered the Haynes manual, so i'll have a better idea about the anatomy in this area once I receive it. Until then, I'm as clueless as a monkey.) Thanks Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manarius Posted August 15, 2006 Share Posted August 15, 2006 Trouble with warm engine starts? Start by replacing the Coolant Temperature Sensor. You may also have issues with the crank position sensor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delli50 Posted August 16, 2006 Share Posted August 16, 2006 i have the same car and had the same problem. i did replace the temp sensors, as a preventative maintenance item. the problem though was the cam position sensor. i'm in canada and ordered the cam position sensor and the crank position sensor as a kit from liberty subaru in new jersey (201) 261-7495. the price was under $50.00 for both and the paid for the mailing. one of those sensors here was > $150 canadian. i just ordered a knock sensor this week from this dealer. i found them great to deal with. you can change the cam and crank sensors yourself with just a 10 mm wrench. takes a minute for each and your hot start problem should go away. you should find pictures of locations by doing a search. depending on the age of your subaru, you might consider changing the other sensors mentioned above and cleaning any ground wire connections you can find. good luck, mark '96 brighton wagon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eiremed Posted August 17, 2006 Author Share Posted August 17, 2006 wondering if the grease from the torn CV boot could be dirtying one these sensors? if so, which one and can i temporize the problem by cleaning it intermittently until i get the axle assembly changed? thanks for the responses craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted August 17, 2006 Share Posted August 17, 2006 Both the crank and cam angle sensors are sealed magnetic pickups; nothing that I can think of to "clean" except maybe thier connectors. The coolant temperatiure sensor (CTS) is also a sealed unit (contains a semiconductor thermistor) and also would have little to clean except connector. None of these should be able to be affected by CV grease (due to location and being sealed). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delli50 Posted August 17, 2006 Share Posted August 17, 2006 i can almost guarantee that your problem is the cam position or crank angle sensor. my money's on the cam position sensor. this is the exact same issue that i had. ....a cheap and easy fix! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eiremed Posted August 17, 2006 Author Share Posted August 17, 2006 huh? :-\ thanks! sounds like they are unrelated issues then. i guess i need to get one or more of the above sensors checked and replaced. another day, another dollar . . . craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eiremed Posted August 17, 2006 Author Share Posted August 17, 2006 i can almost guarantee that your problem is the cam position or crank angle sensor. my money's on the cam position sensor. this is the exact same issue that i had. ....a cheap and easy fix! is this a DIY for a nooby? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delli50 Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 is this a DIY for a nooby? replacing the cam and crank sensors is one of the easiest things to do on your car. i'm going by memory, but the cam angle sensor is located on the driver's side of the engine at the fron behind the bottom outside edge of the cam cover. there is a plastic connection to undo and a small 10 mm bolt that holds it in. locate the sensor, undo the connection, remove the bolt, pull the sensor out and install the replacement. the crank angle sensor is smack dab in the middle of the top of the engine at the front, generally behind the alternator. changes out the same as the cam angle sensor. do a search for pictures of location in the archieves of this board and good luck. mark 96 legacy brighton 82 vw scirocco 93 lincoln continental 01 vw golf and i love my subaru and my scirocco....the rest you can have! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eiremed Posted August 18, 2006 Author Share Posted August 18, 2006 thanks for the responses! i'll go to autozone this weekend and have them check the code(s) setting off the "check engine" light and look forward to changing one or all of the above sensors. sounds pretty easy, AND i just got my Hayne's manual in the mail yesterday. nothin' more dangerous than a nooby armed with a little knowedge . craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted August 18, 2006 Share Posted August 18, 2006 The temp sensor may not show up on a code. It fools the engine into a different temp setting but the ECU won't see a problem unless it is totally dead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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