Car wont start, on occasion

[1991legacyturbo]

so a couple weeks back i started noticeing that if i dont run my car to a solid warm up temp(20 min at least) the car wont start again unless i leave it for like 4 hours. it will go if i push start it, but usually i am alone. is there a choke that could be stuck on or some thing

i have a 1991 ss

please help

[ChesterKV]

so a couple weeks back i started noticeing that if i dont run my car to a solid warm up temp(20 min at least) the car wont start again unless i leave it for like 4 hours. it will go if i push start it, but usually i am alone. is there a choke that could be stuck on or some thing

i have a 1991 ss

please help

Step ONE is to pull the codes. If that doesn't reveal anything, I'd check for something electrical first such as worn out grounds, coil or igniter that's dying, etc. You can shoot some choke cleaner into the throttle body after removing the air intake. Perhaps you have a vacuum leak, a bad MAF, bad cam sensor, a clogged IAC, or a combination of things...... it's too random at this point. Has the engine been worked on recently ? How many miles on the motor and do you know the compression in each cylinder ?

Let us know if it shows any error codes.


- Chester

[ciper]

When you say it wont start be more specific. Is it just clicking? Does it turn over but spin freely? Does it sound like it might start but never stalls when you let go of the key?

[ChesterKV]

When you say it wont start be more specific. Is it just clicking? Does it turn over but spin freely? Does it sound like it might start but never stalls when you let go of the key?

Oops... yeah, true.




.

[1991legacyturbo]

hey, so its got 296 000 , i did do a recent tranny swap just over 1000 km ago, i dont know compression, it will just turn and turn and turn.

so if i go for a 5 min drive it wont start after that for like 3 hours, i pulled the plugs and they were soaked in gas, but if i allow it to get up to operating temp, driving for 20 min it will start fine after that

where can i get the codes checked??

[1991legacyturbo]

i just checked resistance in the coil, primary is about .3 ohms but i couldnt get a reading for secondary

[Legacy777]

It's probably the coolant temp sensor.

[Legacy777]

where can i get the codes checked??

Check them yourself

www.surrealmirage.com/subaru/engine.html

[1991legacyturbo]

thanks guys , could it be leaky injectors??

[1991legacyturbo]

so i just checked my codes, i found that i have a faulty coolant temp sensor, knock sensor, and Canister purge solenoid valve.

i know where the temp sensor is, could people post maybe pictures or instructions on how to replace/ find the knock sensor and Canister purge solenoid valve??

thanks everyone

[ciper]

You should clear the codes, double check they are clear, drive the car for 20 minutes and check again. They might be old.

That said I bet you the coolant temp sensor is the culprit!

[1991legacyturbo]

alright i will do that in the morning, thanks alot man you have no idea how frusterated i was getting, i had to keep calling my friends and asking them to come and help me start my car( push)

kind of a relief, hope it works

[Legacy777]

i know where the temp sensor is, could people post maybe pictures or instructions on how to replace/ find the knock sensor and Canister purge solenoid valve??

thanks everyone

Here's some pictures I took of my n/a motor. The coolant temp sensors will be on the opposite side of the crossover pipe, but you should get an idea of where the knock sensor is.

www.main.experiencetherave.com/subaru/images/injectors

[1991legacyturbo]

thanks. i ordered the knock sensor and the temp sensor, whoo they are expensive, 60 for the temp and 90 for the knock,

where could i get a new purge valve, are they hard to replace??

[ChesterKV]

thanks. i ordered the knock sensor and the temp sensor, whoo they are expensive, 60 for the temp and 90 for the knock,

where could i get a new purge valve, are they hard to replace??

Wait... did you clear the codes first to make sure they weren't old and invalid? You can just disconnect the battery for a couple of hours (or overnight) to clear them.

- Chester

[douglas vincent]

While a "stupid" siggestion, try pushing in and wiggling the key......

[1991legacyturbo]

i cleared the ecu and the codes came back, so i got the sensors and stuff and am putting them in tomroow, and that was kindof a stupid question, the engine turns but floods, sorry buddy i am not that ill of mind

[Legacy777]

thanks. i ordered the knock sensor and the temp sensor, whoo they are expensive, 60 for the temp and 90 for the knock,

where could i get a new purge valve, are they hard to replace??

I'd recommend ordering parts from www.subarugenuineparts.com

Much cheaper then most if not all other subaru dealers.

[1991legacyturbo]

i put in a new coolant temp sensor and WOOO it starts everytime now