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Occasional trouble starting

8 messages,  Last post on Dec 06, 2010 at 2:09 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

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

Messages Page 2 of 2

#4 of 8 RE: xwesx [mattcarter] by xwesx

Dec 03, 2010 (12:35 pm)

Replying to: mattcarter (Dec 03, 2010 8:27 am)
I would say no. I have had a fuel pump go bad on me, and it would always start initially, running very poorly and grumbling for about 10-20 seconds, then die.
 
Even if there is no added fuel/pressure, the pressure in the system at the time of start up would be sufficient to allow the car to fire (or attempt to fire) for a few seconds.
 
The good news, though, is that you can test a relay easily to verify whether it may or may not be the problem! And, if you decide to replace it, it might set you back $10-$15 (and take 30 seconds of time) versus sensors which are $50+ and a little more work to replace.

#5 of 8 RE: xwesx [xwesx] by mattcarter

Dec 06, 2010 (8:18 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Dec 03, 2010 12:35 pm)
What do you think about the camshaft position sensor. Another poster had a few sensors replaced and said that the issue stopped, so I look online for similar issues and found several Subaru owners who had similar or the same issue and it turned out to be the camshaft position sensor. Do you know where the camshaft position sensor is on the car? I looked at pictures of a replacement and it looks to be only a plug and a few bolts, which could make life pretty easy. Thanks so much for your feedback!

#6 of 8 RE: xwesx [mattcarter] by xwesx

Dec 06, 2010 (11:29 am)

Replying to: mattcarter (Dec 06, 2010 8:18 am)
That's certainly possible. I would have to run through my records on that car to see which codes had actually set. Since I replaced all three at the same time, I cannot say for sure which resolved the no-start, but I certainly never had any codes pop up when the no-start was the only problem (unfortunately!).
 
The Camshaft Position sensor is the easiest of the three to access and should take only a few minutes to replace. It is located on the driver side, front of the engine... at the top front corner just to the left (if you're looking at the engine) of the oil filler spout and, I think, to the right of the air conditioning compressor. If memory serves, you should be able to get to it without removing anything else!

#7 of 8 RE: xwesx [xwesx] by mattcarter

Dec 06, 2010 (12:24 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Dec 06, 2010 11:29 am)
That is awesome. I will try that and let you know. Thanks for the feedback!

#8 of 8 RE: xwesx [mattcarter] by xwesx

Dec 06, 2010 (2:09 pm)

Replying to: mattcarter (Dec 06, 2010 12:24 pm)
Here is an annotated photo of my engine back in 2005. If you have the SOHC, which I think was the case in 1998, it is going to look a little different, but I think the sensors were in the same general location.
 

 
Of course, this is only available for the next three days....

Messages Page 2 of 2

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