Ask the Car People.SM


Subaru 2001 Legacy L intermittant electric problem -- help!

6 messages,  Last post on Apr 17, 2010 at 10:26 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Engine, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 2 of 2

#4 of 6 Re: possible short [chriswanson] by fibber2

Apr 11, 2010 (5:50 pm)

Replying to: chriswanson (Apr 10, 2010 9:34 pm)
You are most welcome! Hope it really turns out to be that simple. (simple is good!)

#5 of 6 oops by chriswanson

Apr 17, 2010 (1:03 am)

well, i was wrong..engine cut out after a few seconds of higher RPM testing.
 
took it to the dealer and turned out to be a faulty crankshaft sensor.
 
what are the chances that sensor was damaged during timing belt replacement? its true that the car started misfiring after this repair. do i have grounds to ask for compensation from shop that did this repair?

#6 of 6 Re: oops [chriswanson] by fibber2

Apr 17, 2010 (10:26 am)

Replying to: chriswanson (Apr 17, 2010 1:03 am)
Sorry to hear that the issues came back.
 
The crankshaft position center sits forward on the top of the block just under the alternator. It shouldn't have to be removed during the headgasket change (it's below the intake manifold that is removed), although the routing of the wiring harness might make disconnecting it a possibility. I assume that you had the timing belt change done as part of the HG service, as it's all apart anyhow. No question that it is vulnerable given where it is located during the timing belt change. Could it have been disturbed? Sure. Is the shop responsible? Difficult to prove, and kind of unlikely you'll convince them to pay.
 
I lost a neutral safety switch on a Camry transmission change some years ago. Even though this part was removed from the old tranny and placed on the new one, the fact that it worked for a week or two before dying was enough of an out that the shop claimed it was a natural death. I took it apart, and indeed it was corroded inside. This is what happens on older cars. They are dying a slow death, and disturbing things quickens the decline.
 
Did they kill your sensor thru malpractice, or just hasten it's failure? Tough call.

Messages Page 2 of 2

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement