Car dying on the freeway

[ShotgunSi]

I have a 1999 Outback Legacy, 5 speed manual, 2.5L

I recently changed the oil on my car and and checked the air filter (which didn't need replacing).

After this my car would not start. I would turn the key and the engine would fire, then slowly the revs would drop and the car would die. I figured I killed the MAF sensor banging the air box around trying to open it up, to check the air filter. So I unplugged the MAF sensor and the engine would fire, but with the check engine light on. The engine ran, but it was running very rough.

So I replaced the MAF sensor and the engine would now fire and idle. The check engine light was still on, so I unplugged the battery to reset the ECU. Everything was great after that!

Except on my drive home that night, the car died on the freeway. I was cruising at about 65mpg in 5th gear, when the car started slowing down. I press the gas peddle a little further down and still nothing. Eventually the car slowed to a stop (I pulled over to the shoulder) and the car stalled. I turned the ignition all the way to off and fired it back up again and continued on my merry way. Then it happened again on the way to work this morning!
So far it hasn't died in city driving, just 2 times on the freeway.

Any ideas what's going on?

[porcupine73]

Hello. Carefully check over the intake snorkus/plastic tubing for any hoses that might have come loose when you replaced the air filter. There are a number of hoses, some on the very bottom, that can pop off and then cause this issue. Look especially underneath where the plastic tube connects to the throttle body right before the 90 degree turn.

[ShotgunSi]

Originally posted by porcupine73
Hello. Carefully check over the intake snorkus/plastic tubing for any hoses that might have come loose when you replaced the air filter. There are a number of hoses, some on the very bottom, that can pop off and then cause this issue. Look especially underneath where the plastic tube connects to the throttle body right before the 90 degree turn.

Thanks for the suggestions. Car is getting worse and stalling when warm, when cold etc.

Finally threw a code when the car was running and it was what I expected. P0102

Tried the following already
1) Re-Assembled the entire airbox, checked for visual cracks or leaks.
2) Reset ECU

Haven't but will try
1) Cleaning MAF?
2) Check voltage to MAF, possibly bad wiring?

[porcupine73]

P0102 Mass Air Flow Sensor Circuit Low Input

Since this started right after replacing the air filter, I'd check the connectors carefully. Maybe one of the wires go pulled slightly and disconnected from the pin or something. Where did this replacement MAF come from that you're using? Maybe retry the old MAF.

[ShotgunSi]

Bringing this back from the dead. So I ended up taking the car to the shop and replaced the MAF sensor with a "factory" replacement unit made by Bosch. This has solved the problem.

The first "new" MAF sensor I got from Kragen's turned out to be a re-manufactured part and after some yelling with the parts manager I was able to return it.

Lesson learned, don't by parts from Kragen. :P

[Boxxerace]

Kragen / Shucks. Different name, same ******* of a company.

Thanks for the heads up on the fix!

[SubyGirl1998]

anyone have any good place to buy a replacement MAF?

[cardoc]

Why do you think the MAF is bad?

If it is, Carquest, Napa, Dealer or Subaru Parts Warehouse online. Might also try Rock Auto.

They aren't cheap so you want to be sure its not something else.

[SubyGirl1998]

The car randomly stalls out on me, while in gear. It's been idleing around 400-500 whenever I'm stopped in gear. I scanned it today after it stalled on me and the only code it's throwing is P0102.... From all the research I've done it's pointing to the MAF

[cardoc]

Originally Posted by SubyGirl1998

The car randomly stalls out on me, while in gear. It's been idleing around 400-500 whenever I'm stopped in gear. I scanned it today after it stalled on me and the only code it's throwing is P0102.... From all the research I've done it's pointing to the MAF

No vacuum leaks? Breaks in the intake tube after the MAF?

What year and model is it?