Andrew Timmins

If I do a really short journy in my MY95 Turbo, say half a mile, stop the engine for a couple of minutes then try to resart sometimes the engine turns over but does not start. This has happened about six times in the past few months.

The car always starts first time from cold and when fully up to temperature.

I read a post a while back about a sensor problem, crank position? However there was no mention of the engines not being up to temperature in that thread.

I wondered if it was a spark plug related. Has anyone else had a similar problem and how did you solve it?

Nick

This sounds the same problem that I had in a previous car (non-scoob). It is a sensor problem if I remember correctly.

RobAnderson

Andrew,
I still reckon it sounds like a crank- sensor problem. Simple diagnosis+confirmation will be provided by plugging into dealer's diagnostic equipment.
I notice that everyone experiencing starting problems(me included-I thought it was fuel-evaporation) seems to have 93-96 scoobs and the general consensus(and cure) seems to come down to Crank Sensor.
New crank sensor-£100 or thereabouts, if it does turn out to be the problem.

Pavlos

I had the crank sensor changed two days ago, and now it starts every single time

steve McCulloch

I have a car with the same problem - cranking over and over (intermitantly). However the diagnostics don't reveal anything as nothing has been stored in the ecu's memory. This is a ******* as I don't know whether to fork out on the cost of a new crank sensor.

Andrew Timmins

I've just had my car serviced and no problems showed up when the engine management was analysed.

The garage said it was probably due to a richer fuel mixture being used until the engine was up to temperature. One the engine gets warm I can start and stop as often as I want.

If you have starting problems from cold or when the engine is fully warm it is probably the sensor problem mentioned in the other posts.

Gibo

Same Problem short Journey when still coldish etc.

Do not touch the accelerator before you start, even if you brush it with your foot it can stop the car starting.

If it does not start leave the car for 15 mins then try again. do not hold your foot flat on the floor as in the manual or you will be there 1/2 an hour !

Mine is a late 94 M WRX.

Hope this helps.

andy king

hi
having spoke to mill lane engineering recently on a similar problem, going short distances, stopping and then having problems restarting the engine. seems that the problem is that the ecu thinks the engine is still cold and it tells the injectors to pulse longer flooding the engine with fuel, apparently a problem with all subaru's!!!!!

Nick

>Andy
Sounds like Mill Lane are using the excuse - "they all do that sir" because they can't be bothered to fix it. Don't put up with the excuse, get them to fox it or see another dealer.
BTW What sort of air filter do you use?

simonf

I had a MY96 for 3 years with absolutely no problem starting every time BUT when I got a MY98 it wouldn't always start. The cars done 6k miles now and has had this 'characteristic' since new - I certainly identified with the "start you B******d!" thread of a few months ago.

I was told it could be the crank angle sensor by my dealer but diagnostics showed nothing.

Now I can always get it to start, if it fails first time - whilst turning the engine over, press the accelerator all the way down then release it smoothly - bingo it fires (and stays going). It seems that if it doesn't start first time the ECU cuts the fuel rate for subsequent attempts.

By way of a postscript, after I wrote to Subaru UK about this problem, their technical department have advised my dealer to change the spark plugs to the cheaper non-platinum type as they are less likely to (using Lancaster's description) "stay wet on shorter journeys". Unfortunately they need replacing every 15k miles instead of 30k.

I have had the new plugs for two weeks now and things seem better - so far. SF