[rkhames]

I'm joining this convo 8 years later but, I have the same problem. 2008 Outback 2.5. Starts easily, runs for .5 seconds and shuts off as if you removed the key. It's just weird it's like the car is getting a 'shut down now' message from somewhere. The question is where? Not getting and CEL codes, fuel pressure is great, all wires, connections, grounds, etc seem good. The only thing is that I replaced the air filter 2 days ago. It ran fine yesterday but, then this started today. Did anyone figure out the issue here?

 

[rkhames]

I suspected it might be the security system or a bad key so, I tried my other key and it gets the same behavior. I also tried moving the steering column around in case there was a loose wire inside or something. Is there any way to tell if it is security related so I can look into troubleshooting that? Also, the car died during driving and then started exhibiting this startup behavior (automatic transmission, btw). Had to get it towed because it will not run. This is very bizarre.

 

[rkhames]

So this problem actually started (no pun) while driving, i.e., the car died while driving, and not when first trying to start it after it was stopped for a while.

I see that the fuel pressure was checked; what was the result, and did it hold up for the short time the engine will run?


Check that the connection to the MAF/AIT sensor, and the sensor itself, hasn't been disturbed. It's not unusual when trying to get to the air filter.

Getting ready to start working on it tonight.. The problem did occur while driving and I do have a second key. I tried them but, both yield the same result. Fuel pressure was 50 psi and did maintain during that brief time running.

I'll look at the MAF/AIT once I figure out where it is and what to look for. If that was disturbed, would it cause this problem, though? I believe the OP tried it and it didn't solve his problem. I'll work on it anyways. Thanks all for input.

 

[rkhames]

Ok, I figured it out. I disconnected the mass airflow sensor and it started right up. When I plugged it back in, the car died immediately. So I took the sensor out and looked at it and I noticed that up in the guts of the thing there was a tiny little piece of leaf or something. Really tiny, like 1 mm x 2 mm. It was kind of wedged in up there so I scraped it out with a small screw driver. I plugged it back in, connected it, and the car fired right up and runs perfectly. I cannot believe that this condition would cause a shutdown while driving and totally disable the car. Someone might want to alert Subaru. Oh well, it's fixed now and I know what to look for should it happen again. Thanks to all who helped here. These forums are awesome!