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2009 Outback PZEV Throttle jumping/holding.

1526 Views 5 Replies 5 Participants Last post by nabeelr, Feb 15, 2013

nabeelr

Discussion Starter · #1 · Feb 12, 2013 (Edited)

Hi all,

I have a bit of a concern.

I drive a manual transmission 2009 Outback PZEV and I have noticed a two throttle issues that are slightly worrisome.

1: Under fast acceleration, followed by coasting and downshifting, sometimes the throttle will hold itself, without my foot on the gas, at around 2k or 3k rpm for anywhere up to 5 seconds until I shift into another gear, press the clutch again, or play with the throttle.

2: Sometimes under fast acceleration, or several quick successive shifts, suddenly pressing the gas hard will cause the engine to cycle cutting out and back in, as if hitting the rev limiter, but only at 2-4k rpm. It will continue doing this until I shift gears, or press the clutch all the way to let the engine RPM settle at idle. After that, it's back to normal.

I have found a surefire way to reproduce these issues, 100% of the time, in a rather unorthodox way.

To cause the engine to hold a high RPM by itself:
While cruising at about 60 KPH, 5th gear, engage the clutch, shut off the engine by turning the key to the "ACC" position, wait a second, turn ignition to "ON" and start the engine by slowly releasing off the clutch till it starts. Once the engine starts, re-engage the clutch, and watch the RPM sit at about 2-3k rpm.

To cause the engine to cycle/cause the REV limiter to kick in unusually early:
While cruising at about 60 KPH, 3th gear, engage the clutch, shut off the engine by turning the key to the "ACC" position, wait a second, turn ignition to "ON" and start the engine by slowly releasing off the clutch till it starts. Once the engine starts, release the clutch entirely and try to accelerate past 4k RPM.

So, it brings me to my question: WTF mate?

Is this normal? Is this expected? Is this safe? Is there a reason for this behaviour?

Any comments or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

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Samirr76

· Registered

03 Baja Yellow 5MT 235k miles & 09 Outback 2.5i Quartz Silver 5MT 105k miles

Joined Aug 26, 2012

88 Posts

#2 · Feb 14, 2013

I dont think the vehicle is designed to be shut off at any speed. These are unexpected inputs in the "eyes" of the ECM. The vehicle is not designed to operate that way, therefore its going to react in a way that is unexpected as well.

I myself have a 2009 Outback PZEV with the manual transmission. I have never noticed it doing any of these things under normal driving conditions. Perhaps its just something in the ECU programmig to promote fuel economy. Maybe its just a glitch. Nothing is perfect.

Just please stop endangering everyone on the road by shutting off your car at speed. When you do that you no longer have any power steering or brakes. I hope you knew this....or maybe not.