Am I the only one? - Subaru Outback

SubiOutiPA · 02-09-2011, 07:43 AM

I've been having a weird stalling issue on my 02 OBW 2.5 AT 165K. I've been searching the forum for months now trying to find a thread related to my issue (forum etiquitte) with no luck. I may have completely missed it but I really did try.

So the issue at hand, when coming to a stop, usually when I need to brake quickly, the engine stumbles and stalls. It gives me plenty of time to pop it into neutral, thus preventing it from stalling. Turn the key (still in N) and it starts right back up. I checked AT fluid level/condition and everything checked out. Also, when I first start the car, if I turn the wheel I get a squeel and stumble and when applying the brakes it dims my head lights and slows my inside fan speed. These things may be related?

I didn't get any records with the car so I have no idea if the timing belt was changed. I'm really concerned that it IS the timing belt and it's going to snap one day and Bye Bye Soob.

If anyone has any advice/insight PLEASE help.

CNY_Dave · 02-09-2011, 08:05 AM

Could be an idle-speed control problem (idle air controller), throttle-position sensor problem, or maybe the lock-up converter isn't releasing.
Could be other things (needs a tune-up?), but those are my guesses.

Try making it happen, then repeat in 3 instead of D.

Also, don't play chicken with the belt.

Dave

SubiOutiPA · 02-09-2011, 08:13 AM

Thanks for the quick response. Plugs and wires were repleced recently with NGK as recommended by folks here and elsewhere. Also, the fuel filter was replaced and the K&N filter is new. I guess what I'm trying to determine is if it indeed could be the timing belt before I start throwing money at it. Honestly, I don't have several hundred dollars to do the timing belt if it indeed IS not the problem. I will try to contact the local dealer and see if they have service records for it and if the timing belt was replaced.

CNY_Dave · 02-09-2011, 08:34 AM

Is that a K&N paper filter, or the reusable gauze filter that gets oiled?

The oiled filters can, if over-oiled, gunk up the airflow sensor (I hear).

Dave

SubiOutiPA · 02-09-2011, 08:45 AM

It's the reusable oiled filter. It's fairly new so I haven't cleaned/reoiled it yet. Is there any way to clean the sensors if they are indeed gunked up? I noticed the IAC is like $300 and the TPS like $210. Again, p*ssing away money if it's in working order.

SubiOutiPA · 02-09-2011, 09:05 AM

I did notice that the ATTemp light flashes on when it starts to stutter... forgot that part. (duh.. it's early yet)

CNY_Dave · 02-09-2011, 12:27 PM

It's got a trans code then- I don't know how to pull 'em but it's on here somewhere.

Dave

**nipper** · 02-09-2011, 10:55 PM

Put the factory filter back on and see if the problem goes away. We need to start with a baseline as subarus sometimes really hate these filters.

The flashing tranny light means something failed when the car was last operated (hence the flashing on restart). Lets do a really quick dirty check of the #1 reason for the light flashing.

Go to a parking lot. Make a tight circle on level ground. The car should be able to do this with almost no throttle. The steering wheel shold not fight you. The car should not learch. This will rule out a bad Duty C solenoid if the car passes the tests.

SubiOutiPA · 02-10-2011, 10:36 AM

Thanks guys!

Dave- no stalls so far while driving in 3rd.

Nipper- thanks for chipping in. Just tried the test. Everything seems normal. The car turns in a complete circle, left and right, from a stop with no binding or major surging. Idles at 750 until it gains momentum and stays around 1K. Tried it in D and 3. I even tried a figure 8 with no issues. I did notice some binding and power steering whine while turning the wheel at a dead stop. Also the same whine when pinned all the way to one side. I know my Jeep had a power steering whine when pinned all the way (which I understand is normal) but not at a dead stop.

I'm going to put the stock filter back in and clean the TB/IAC.

Ryan

**nipper** · 02-10-2011, 12:01 PM

You know... it may be lock up solenoid for the torque converter. Try this, come to a stop in neutral. At a full stop put the car in drive.

If that passes, do the same thing but drop to #rd gear (shold mechanically bipass the lockup) and see if it stalls.

If it doesnt it may be the lockup solenoid.

02-09-2011, 07:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
SubiOutiPA Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Six-Ten, PA Car: 02 Outback Wagon H4 2.5 Posts: 24 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Am I the only one? I've been having a weird stalling issue on my 02 OBW 2.5 AT 165K. I've been searching the forum for months now trying to find a thread related to my issue (forum etiquitte) with no luck. I may have completely missed it but I really did try. So the issue at hand, when coming to a stop, usually when I need to brake quickly, the engine stumbles and stalls. It gives me plenty of time to pop it into neutral, thus preventing it from stalling. Turn the key (still in N) and it starts right back up. I checked AT fluid level/condition and everything checked out. Also, when I first start the car, if I turn the wheel I get a squeel and stumble and when applying the brakes it dims my head lights and slows my inside fan speed. These things may be related? I didn't get any records with the car so I have no idea if the timing belt was changed. I'm really concerned that it IS the timing belt and it's going to snap one day and Bye Bye Soob. If anyone has any advice/insight PLEASE help. __________________ 2002 Subaru Outback H4 2.5L 1991 Jeep Cherokee I6 4.0L The road of life is no longer paved.

02-09-2011, 08:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
SubiOutiPA Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Six-Ten, PA Car: 02 Outback Wagon H4 2.5 Posts: 24 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks for the quick response. Plugs and wires were repleced recently with NGK as recommended by folks here and elsewhere. Also, the fuel filter was replaced and the K&N filter is new. I guess what I'm trying to determine is if it indeed could be the timing belt before I start throwing money at it. Honestly, I don't have several hundred dollars to do the timing belt if it indeed IS not the problem. I will try to contact the local dealer and see if they have service records for it and if the timing belt was replaced. __________________ 2002 Subaru Outback H4 2.5L 1991 Jeep Cherokee I6 4.0L The road of life is no longer paved.

02-09-2011, 08:45 AM	#5 (permalink)
SubiOutiPA Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Six-Ten, PA Car: 02 Outback Wagon H4 2.5 Posts: 24 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	It's the reusable oiled filter. It's fairly new so I haven't cleaned/reoiled it yet. Is there any way to clean the sensors if they are indeed gunked up? I noticed the IAC is like $300 and the TPS like $210. Again, p*ssing away money if it's in working order. __________________ 2002 Subaru Outback H4 2.5L 1991 Jeep Cherokee I6 4.0L The road of life is no longer paved.

02-09-2011, 09:05 AM	#6 (permalink)
SubiOutiPA Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Six-Ten, PA Car: 02 Outback Wagon H4 2.5 Posts: 24 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I did notice that the ATTemp light flashes on when it starts to stutter... forgot that part. (duh.. it's early yet) __________________ 2002 Subaru Outback H4 2.5L 1991 Jeep Cherokee I6 4.0L The road of life is no longer paved.

02-10-2011, 10:36 AM	#9 (permalink)
SubiOutiPA Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Six-Ten, PA Car: 02 Outback Wagon H4 2.5 Posts: 24 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks guys! Dave- no stalls so far while driving in 3rd. Nipper- thanks for chipping in. Just tried the test. Everything seems normal. The car turns in a complete circle, left and right, from a stop with no binding or major surging. Idles at 750 until it gains momentum and stays around 1K. Tried it in D and 3. I even tried a figure 8 with no issues. I did notice some binding and power steering whine while turning the wheel at a dead stop. Also the same whine when pinned all the way to one side. I know my Jeep had a power steering whine when pinned all the way (which I understand is normal) but not at a dead stop. I'm going to put the stock filter back in and clean the TB/IAC. Ryan __________________ 2002 Subaru Outback H4 2.5L 1991 Jeep Cherokee I6 4.0L The road of life is no longer paved.

02-09-2011, 08:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
CNY_Dave Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: central NY USA Car: 2003 LLBean H6 Outback Posts: 3,366 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Could be an idle-speed control problem (idle air controller), throttle-position sensor problem, or maybe the lock-up converter isn't releasing. Could be other things (needs a tune-up?), but those are my guesses. Try making it happen, then repeat in 3 instead of D. Also, don't play chicken with the belt. Dave

02-09-2011, 08:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
CNY_Dave Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: central NY USA Car: 2003 LLBean H6 Outback Posts: 3,366 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Is that a K&N paper filter, or the reusable gauze filter that gets oiled? The oiled filters can, if over-oiled, gunk up the airflow sensor (I hear). Dave

02-09-2011, 12:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
CNY_Dave Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: central NY USA Car: 2003 LLBean H6 Outback Posts: 3,366 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	It's got a trans code then- I don't know how to pull 'em but it's on here somewhere. Dave

02-09-2011, 10:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
nipper Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oceanside, NY Car: 2005 OBW 2.5L, 1989 Subaru Justy, RIP Blu Posts: 7,231 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Put the factory filter back on and see if the problem goes away. We need to start with a baseline as subarus sometimes really hate these filters. The flashing tranny light means something failed when the car was last operated (hence the flashing on restart). Lets do a really quick dirty check of the #1 reason for the light flashing. Go to a parking lot. Make a tight circle on level ground. The car should be able to do this with almost no throttle. The steering wheel shold not fight you. The car should not learch. This will rule out a bad Duty C solenoid if the car passes the tests.

02-10-2011, 12:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
nipper Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oceanside, NY Car: 2005 OBW 2.5L, 1989 Subaru Justy, RIP Blu Posts: 7,231 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You know... it may be lock up solenoid for the torque converter. Try this, come to a stop in neutral. At a full stop put the car in drive. If that passes, do the same thing but drop to #rd gear (shold mechanically bipass the lockup) and see if it stalls. If it doesnt it may be the lockup solenoid.

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