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2008 Subaru Forester Revving With Clutch In

31 messages,  Last post on Aug 02, 2010 at 1:19 PM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Engine, Wagon

Messages Page 1 of 3

#1 of 31 2008 Subaru Forester Design Flaw by fsb

Jun 09, 2008 (11:14 pm)

The idle of my 2008 Forester oscillates (between 1000 and 2000 RPM) indefinitely when I push in the clutch with the transmission still in gear. As soon as I take the car out of gear, the idle drops back to normal. I took the car to the dealership who was able to reproduce the problem but, because they didn't have a fix for it, their answer was that the car is behaving as designed. The service advisor more simply described it as a design flaw. I wonder if anyone else has the same problem and if they've had better luck getting it resolved.

#2 of 31 Re: 2008 Subaru Forester Design Flaw [fsb] by ateixeira

Jun 10, 2008 (7:53 am)

Replying to: fsb (Jun 09, 2008 11:14 pm)
I doubt they're all like that, though I have not driven a 2008 specifically.
 
Call 800-SUBARU3 and open up a case. They can help your dealer get to the bottom of this.
 
The ECU sets the idle speed, so I bet one of the inputs is malfunctioning - a sensor or something.

#3 of 31 Re: 2008 Subaru Forester Design Flaw [ateixeira] by kurtamaxxxguy

Jun 10, 2008 (8:23 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jun 10, 2008 7:53 am)
The XT I drive does not have this oscillation. A/C on will raise idle slightly.
As Ateixeria mentioned, could be bad sensor or faulty ECU.
If dealer gives no satisfaction and no other dealers are available, try opening case with Subaru.

#4 of 31 Re: 2008 Subaru Forester Design Flaw [fsb] by epgolfs

Jun 10, 2008 (12:10 pm)

Replying to: fsb (Jun 09, 2008 11:14 pm)
Tried duplicating this on each of the 3 Foresters I've got sitting in my lot & couldn't. I wonder, though: You've got "Incline Assist" with a manual ~ it does not specifically STATE it in any of my documentation, but I wonder if in addition to applying the brakes momentarily, it also raises the engine rpm if the clutch is depressed on an incline....ARE you on an incline while this happens?

#5 of 31 Re: 2008 Subaru Forester Design Flaw [epgolfs] by p0926

Jun 10, 2008 (3:33 pm)

Replying to: epgolfs (Jun 10, 2008 12:10 pm)
I can't see the hill-holder feature having any effect on the idle speed, it's merely keeping the brakes applied for you.
 
There's definitely something not working right though, the idle on a warm engine should hold steady at 750 rpm, regardless of whether it's in gear or not.
 
-Frank

#6 of 31 Re: 2008 Subaru Forester Design Flaw [ateixeira] by fsb

Jun 10, 2008 (9:45 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jun 10, 2008 7:53 am)
Thanks for your reply ateixeira,
 
The dealership mechanic who worked on the problem, having exausted everything he could think of, did open a case with Subaru. But they weren't able to help him.

#7 of 31 Re: 2008 Subaru Forester Design Flaw [p0926] by fsb

Jun 10, 2008 (9:54 pm)

Replying to: p0926 (Jun 10, 2008 3:33 pm)
I don't know if it matters, but my Forester is a PZEV (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle).
 
The problem can be duplicated at will and occurs any time I push in the clutch while I'm in motion in any gear, incline, or speed, with or without air conditioning.
 
Strange eh?

#8 of 31 Re: 2008 Subaru Forester Design Flaw [fsb] by aatherton

Jun 11, 2008 (11:14 am)

Replying to: fsb (Jun 10, 2008 9:54 pm)
My 08 Forester does not have this flaw. But it's a non-PZEV automatic.

#9 of 31 Re: 2008 Subaru Forester Design Flaw [fsb] by ateixeira

Jun 11, 2008 (12:56 pm)

Replying to: fsb (Jun 10, 2008 9:54 pm)
We did get a PZEV, but the idle is smooth. Just got it last night so I'll pay close attention to how it idles tonight.

#10 of 31 Re: 2008 Subaru Forester Design Flaw [ateixeira] by paisan

Jun 11, 2008 (4:57 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jun 11, 2008 12:56 pm)
Get your ecu re-flashed. I had messed with an ECU modifying program on my 05 LGT and the same thing happened. I reflashed the ecu and it fixed it up for me.
 
-mike

Messages Page 1 of 3

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