It's happened twice. Waiting at stoplight and the car dies. Not a whole lot of sputtering, engine just dies. Takes a few series of cranking to get it started.

 

Of course it could be a host of issues. But suggestions of things to check/replace from cheapest to spendy?

I've replaced plugs within last 1000 miles.

Replaced air filter within 3000 miles.

 

Thanks.

It's happened twice. Waiting at stoplight and the car dies. Not a whole lot of sputtering, engine just dies. Takes a few series of cranking to get it started.

 

Of course it could be a host of issues. But suggestions of things to check/replace from cheapest to spendy?

I've replaced air within last 1000 miles.

Replaced air filter within 3000 miles.

 

Thanks.

 

Vacuum leak?

Definately a vac. leak.

 

Look for hoses not connected, if that doesn't work get some starter fluid and spray the vac hoses

I remember with my 93 leg they changed a manifold or something on the engine causing a airleak.

be sure to clean the IAC, idle air control real good, when it gets sticky it will stall the motor, symptoms include a searching idle from around 400 up to 1200 ish.

I agree I think cleaning my I.A.C. was what finnaly stopped the stalling in mine.

be sure to clean the IAC, idle air control real good, when it gets sticky it will stall the motor, symptoms include a searching idle from around 400 up to 1200 ish.

Yeah...sounds like IAC, maybe. Mine isn't stalling but does come close to it some time. I've been meaning to clean it. No CEL? Me neither.

There's a black vacuum hose on the lower air filter box - engine side - make sure it's attached and tight. These can become disattached when changing the air filter. Will cause symptoms as described.

Wht is the best way to clean the IAC. ?

I just sprayed carb. cleaner into the big hose that goes to it, other here I think have taken them apart and cleaned them.

Wht is the best way to clean the IAC. ?

Does it always do it, or just sometimes?

Does it always do it, or just sometimes?

 

 

No not always.

 

I'll look into cleaning the IAC and check for vacuum leaks with some starting fluid. Is there any paticular method for this or just spray the starting fluid at each vacuum hose connection?

I'd suggest brake cleaner over starting fluid. It dries without any residue.

 

Has it ever lost power/stalled while driving?

Any codes stored?

I'd thow in intermittent MAF if so equipped.

 

 

 

Carl

I'd suggest brake cleaner over starting fluid. It dries without any residue.

 

Has it ever lost power/stalled while driving?

 

 

Brake cleaner will cause RPMs to go down? Or up?

Brake cleaner will cause RPMs to go down? Or up?

 

Likely up - but really, ANY change and you've probably found the leak right!

 

 

Carl

Any codes stored?

I'd thow in intermittent MAF if so equipped.

 

 

 

Carl

 

That's the path I was headed as well.

My Legacy did the same thing and it finally died it at highway speeds a couple of times as well. I replaced the MAF and it fixed it.

My Legacy did the same thing and it finally died it at highway speeds a couple of times as well. I replaced the MAF and it fixed it.

Same here. MAF got progressively worse until my car was undriveable.

Is the MAF serviceable? Or does it need to be replaced? 1stsubaruparts.com lists MAF sensor at $280.

Is the MAF serviceable? Or does it need to be replaced? 1stsubaruparts.com lists MAF sensor at $280.

 

Hopefully, someone will know the details, but I THINK there was actually a sensor that could be replaced without buying the entire unit. It may have only been a specific year.

 

It's a spendy unit. Even outta a junkyard probably $100.

 

(The one I had to put in my daughter's Nissan was $400+ !)

 

Carl

They're not servicable.

 

Get a used one from a junkyard with a warranty, or post a WTB thread. Someone probably has one.

Yeah, find someone who has a used one. Just replace the entire sensor. I know Frank (Blackbart) on the bbs has one or two of them.

~$15 at any wrecking yard in my area. The sensor is actually a couple of wires that runs across the air intake after the air filter.