subaru newb here! need answers, been searching for days!

[xDbuyzz]

So I just picked up a 90' legacy L 5 speed for $450...and its got some probs.
I'll start off with the rather odd cold starting procedure. This involves feathering the throttle anywhere from a quarter to half of pedal travel to get it to fire, then once its going I have to keep it above like 1300 for 20-25 seconds until its willing to idle at about 1000. Once its up to operating temp it idles at like 1500 which has to be way too high right? I've learned there's not much I can really do about the idle speed and not to touch the throttle stop screw on the TB. The CEL has been on and off intermittenly. Since I've had this car its gotten horrid mileage and I can definitely tell its running rich due to the dark exhaust color and smell of unburnt fuel. Now when I first got the car it wouldn't idle any lower than 1800, and the IAC was completely disconnected from the harness...when I first started tinkering I immediately noticed that and plugged it back in, thinking ha that was easy! I started the car expecting everything to be well but instead it fired and shot straight up to 2100 and would hang really bad after a rev. I pulled the solenoid off the top of the IAC and dumped a little seafoam in there and worked the little pushrod to free it up and that helped a little but not much. So I proceeded to try adjusting the TPS and that brought the idle down but did nothing to help the cold starts...i heard there's a way to read codes from the car somehow without a code reader but I have no idea how to do this. also on an unrelated note the blower motor seems totally unresponsive is this a common problem as well? Any help is greatly appreciated!

[rallyak]

First of all welcome,

Cold start problem is probably coolant sensor. Aftermarket part is fine and cost around 20$. It located on the cross over tube under the intake near the iac on the passengers side and has a single wire attached. That sensor tells the ecu how cold it is and it gives the engine more or less fuel.

Our cars do have the ability to do a self diagnostic test. Under the steering column there are two sets of connectors that are unplugged, one is black and the other is green. Plug the black ones in and turn the key to the run position and the check engine light will start flashing. Count the flashes, first flashes will be slow that will be the first number then it will flash fast and that's the second number. Here is a link, THANKS to josh (legacy 777) one of our admins.

http://www.surrealmirage.com/subaru/eng ... l#resetecu

Now the high idle issue.
First, do you know if the engine has been changed? The reason I ask the iac for the 90 5spd is specific to that year and transmission. I've tried to change mine from a 91 and my idle was high and my check engine light was on.

Best thing would be to pull codes first and change the coolant sensor.

Let us know what codes pop up.

As for the blower issue first check the fuse, if the fuse is good check the voltage at the fan motor. If there is power then the motor is bad. If no power, our cars have problems with the heater control unit easily fixed with a soldering iron. On the back side of the unit the connectors that are soldered to the board the solder cracks and it loses contact.

[cj91legss]

First of all welcome,

Cold start problem is probably coolant sensor. Aftermarket part is fine and cost around 20$. It located on the cross over tube under the intake near the iac on the passengers side and has a single wire attached. That sensor tells the ecu how cold it is and it gives the engine more or less fuel.

The ecus coolant temp sensor is 2 wire with a plug. the single wire sensor is just for the dashboard temp gauge.

[rallyak]

That right, thanks for correcting me.

[Legacy777]

Welcome to the BBS.

I'd suggest checking the ECU for codes before doing anything else. Depending on what you find, I'd probably suggest replacing the coolant temp sensor.

Regarding the high idle, if you've adjusted the TPS, you will need to adjust it back to the factory settings due to the idle switch, which can affect idle speed. Also when you start the car when depressing the throttle it can have an affect on the base idle speed.

To adjust the TPS/idle switch, follow the instructions in the third scan.

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... sting1.jpg
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... sting2.jpg
http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... sting3.jpg