Car: 2001 impreza rs Mods: N/A with a diy intake and also diy grounding kit. Problem: It just started happening around the end of November. It'll start up with a little hesitation which I thought to be normal for subarus. Then I'll let it idle and I'll go back inside to let it warm up. Once I come back after 5-10 mins later the car will 1.) idle real low at like 1-200 rpms and seem like it's losing power, but if I let go of the ebrake and give it a little gas for awhile then it'll be fine. 2.) it'll be dead and wont allow me to start at all, like there is no electricity or enough juice to kick it up. But once I jump it it starts right up like no issues. But if I turn it off and disconnect the jumper it won't start again unless I re-jump it. Current troubleshoots: I have tried cleaning the iac valve, which when I checked it did move in and out. I have also put in a new a/f ratio sensor in, but it is a Bosch(heard that our cars don't like Bosch) Cel throws the usual oxygen sensor in the rear. I've checked both alternator and battery and they both passed and turned out good.
Well I haven't checked the grounds because I had just recently did my own diy to it, but as for the alternator, since I work at O'reillys, I just took it out while at work and tested it with our machine. But I read up and some say vac leak.
Definitely NOT a vaccum line. If it responds to jumping, and also responds negatively to NOT being jumped, it definitely isn't a vaccum leak. My suggestion would be Alternator or your "DIY Grounding Kit." Also, check to make sure nothing got grounded that wasn't supposed to be grounded.
Well, the grounding kit has been there for awhile now. It only started to happen after the first few sets of snow. Anyone have a spare alternator for me to try? Don't want to buy a new one an find out that's not the issue.
Wouldn't you be able to get a hold of a spare alternator at your work? Seems plausible if you work at an auto parts store. I would check the positive power cable going into the main fuse box from the battery. Also check the power cable from the alternator to the main junction. ~Dan
Grab a volt meter or gauge and see what your voltages are while it's running and such. that would help rule out battery/alternator. hmmm....I tried to have a '99 RS alternator tested at an O'reilly's a couple years ago, and their book said to test in-car. Either way, it sounds like it's not charging. So if your alternator and battery work on the bench, then it's something in the car. Probably wiring of some sort.
Yeah, most likely alternator. Because I tend to get more electric flow whenever I rev it up or pull off my ebrake.
I have recently started to experience what you have as "1". I start the car and let it warm for maybe 5min... I get in a hit the gas (to back out of the garage) and then when it settles out, it is idling VERY low (<<500rpm). If I try to take off that way, it stalls (not a surprise), but if I rev it a couple of times it recovers. I haven't been able to debug the issue, yet, but I will post here if I find the time to get out there and poke around... Interested to hear what your resolution is (although, if it is the alternator, I don't think our issues are the same).
Sounds like multiple problems. Step 1: Charge battery fully - with a battery charger. If it won't take a charge, but needs a jump start, check battery connections - if good, replace battery. 2. Get a voltmeter - any $10 POS will do. 3. Start car - without jump leads attached, voltage at battery should be 13.5-14.5 volts. If <12.6, then you probably have a alternator or connection issue. 4. If it's idling okay and the voltage is good, turn on the blower, high beams, rear defrost - anything you can to try and put as much load on it as possible. If the voltage is still okay, then you've got other issues. If the voltage is not good, then you've got an alternator or connection issue. To test if it's a grounding issue, clamp only one side of a jumper cable directly from the alternator housing (NOT the + terminal on the back) to the negative terminal on the battery. If the symptoms improve, you've got ground problems. Starts then dies when warm to me screams IAC or ignition issue. But that doesn't explain your starting issues. Hope that helps.
This was happening with my friends cavi and she ended up having a little water in her intake mani. Makes sense because when the car warms up it'll melt the ice and make it run like turds.
