Car starts but dies straight away even back fires a little
Asked by Helma Dec 20, 2016 at 04:02 AM about the 1998 Subaru Legacy
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
out of the blue my car
started then died pratically
straight away. I am at
present having problem with
oil leak.
Have checked fuel line gas
was flowing out, changed
fuel pump still has problem.
HEEEELP!!!
Had leads an plugs changed
in Feb 2016
7 Answers
Are the temps really cold? You may need to get an engine block heater and/or a battery heater. Adding Heet water remover to the gas tank won't hurt either.
I had a stalling issue in my 03 forester and it was the oxygen sensor on the cat (upstream iirc). But I also had a code for it iirc. I'm NOT suggesting you just buy one ($95ish ebay) but encouraging you to get it diagnosed. Do you have a check engine light ON? Your oil leak shouldn't necessarily be causing a stalling issue as far as I'm concerned. Try youtube or google for 98 Legacy stalling or won't stay running, etc. If you want to fix it yourself, you may need to buy an OBDii scanner. I like mine from harbor freight as it has live data. I see they now have one with ABS....hmmm...anywho, we would like for you to stay in touch and update us.
TheSubaruGuruBoston answered 7 years ago
Someone replaced a furl pump even after seeing fuel flow? That pricey nonsense, eh? Check: underhood large air hoses to intake, as a loosened one from head to air cleaner WILL cause quick stalling; MAF sensor connector; unlikely to be cam crank sensors if starts for a second; also check (or just replace) water temp sensor under rear of throttle body (looks a bit like a spark plug). 2.2 SOHC or 2.5 DOHC?
My 2013 Legacy2.5i Premium did that for one day and I called to make an appointment. They said it was the battery. I doubted it. It idled fine, and once going, it never died. Just would die immediately upon starting! I finally figured out I had to start it by: foot on brake, release parking brake, foot on gas, turn key (starts), GAS, then shift into drive. I had to do that all day Saturday on my day of errands. Have an appointment for Wednesday. Well, today, Tuesday, she starts fine! She is still under warranty.
Huh? "She" may still be under warranty, but I doubt your 2013 Leg is....
...under warranty. Somehow CG now has me as SW818 instead of TSGBoston. Hmmm....
