Cold start

[grippingdrifting]

Hi everybody, I'm new to forums but have been searching through them for sometime. The posts have been extremely hepful in solving mosts problems but I haven't been able to find anything about this problem. I wasn't sure where to post so hopefully this is right.

I recently bought a 94 Legacy (AT) with the CEL on. I was able to fix all but 4 of the codes: 24, 42, 49, & 51. The 42 just showed the other day so I haven't looked into that and the 51 shows up randomly. I did clean out the IAC valve and replac the MAF with a working one from my 92 Legacy (MT) but the codes still show up. When I do a cold start, I have to press the gas or else the engine will stall. I don't have to press the pedal for very long but have to ease off or else the engine will stall as well.

Once I have done this, the engine idles around 650-750 but if I use an electricial accessory such as AC, headlights, rear defogger, power windows, etc., the engine loses some power. The RPMs drop by 50-100 when using a single accessory but the AC causes a drop of 200-300. Sometimes the engine stalls if too many accessories are used at the same time.

When doing a warm start, I don't have to press the gas. Also with the engine warm, the loss of RPMs is cut by over half so I don't have to worry about the engine stalling. The other error codes I had were 12 & 22 so I replaced the starter and knock sensor. I was thinking of testing the ECT sensor but haven't gotten around to it yet. Thanks for any help.

[douglas vincent]

When you replaced the MAF, did you replace plastic with plastic?

[grippingdrifting]

I think so...I swapped the covers over the air filters but left the MAF attached.

[Subaru for Life]

Not an expert, either. But it sounds like electrical problem. I'd start with the battery, alternator, coolant temp sensor, and most importantly proper grounding.

Good luck,
Subaru_for_Life

[grippingdrifting]

Thanks for the advice; I'm definitely no expert. I think the main problems are electrical but would this have any effect on having to give the car some gas to start?

That also reminds me: when resetting the ECU, you're not supposed to push the gas but I can't start without hitting the gas. What happens if you hit the gas or the engine stalls while resetting the ECU?