My '96 Impreza (40,000 miles) has begun a nasty trick since summer: once in a while, the motor drops instantly dead -- no noise, no nothing, just dies -- just when you step on it. E.g. waiting at an intersection to dart left, I jump for the break in incoming traffic, but . . . dead still she goes. Our independent mechanic (yes, I know more about my PC than my car) found nothing by driving it himself, looking, even hooking up the sort of diagnostic 'scope' we have here. As it happens only about once a month, under various weather conditions, we're really foxed. Could it be related to the seasonal plummeting of my gas mileage (which the mechanic blames on the oxygenated fuel that is sold from October through April)? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Does this happen at about 3500 to 4000 revs, under reasonably hard acceleration? And is it like someone instantaneously turning off the engine and then turning it back on again?


[This message has been edited by karl (edited 05-01-99).]

Its a built in speed deterent mechanism. If you floor it the engine shuts down. http://bbs.sidc.co.uk/smile.gif
Then again maybe the fuel/air mixture is wrong so when you step on the gas pedal air rushes in with no fuel! *FHOOP!*

Impreza auto!Gawd! Pity you dont have the turbo in the States.

Don't knock Subaru Autos, Some people have to have auto, and autos do some things better than a manual, especially if you live in a large city or tow.
As autos go the Subaru is one of the best. I drive Legacy and Impreza manuals and Autos and each have their advantages and disadvantages
Funnily enough I have never experienced this engine dying problem with any.

[This message has been edited by AsaBjor (edited 07-01-99).]