coolant temp. sensor
 

First off. my check engine light is on and when "with the help of you folks on here" I was able to read the code, it shows the code for the , coolant temperature sensor.. I haven't been able to locate one localy and have been holding off going to the dealer, for one thing they aren't open on the weekend , the only time I have to go see them. What I am wondering is if anyone knows the part number for that sensor and also if that might be causing a problem I am having.... The only thing wrong is in the morning the car will start and then die a couple of times and after a minute or so it works fine the rest of the day and now that the weather is getting cooler it takes more tries to start the car and longer for it to run normally , maybe now more like three minutes rather than the one to two minutes when the weather is hotter in the mornings. and if it sits all day then it is a little reluctant to start right up and go.. Well. if anyone has had any experience like this please let me know and again if you know the part number for the coolant sensor please advise.... Thanks...

The code says it's the coolant sensor and that is most likely the problem. You should replace it. I am not sure of the part number. Hvae you looked on subaruparts.com? You should be able to find it there.

I can't find the part number right now, but you should be able to find it pretty easily on subaruparts.

As far as the starting problem, it sounds like it could be caused by the temp sensor. Basically when the sensor flakes out, it sends the computer an irrelevant reading. So, you go to start the car, the computer thinks it's only 10 degrees out when it's really 80, so it dumps more gas into the cylinders and gives you all sorts of trouble... at least, that's my understanding.

-Colin

It's a good place to start. I'd probably do a bit more investigating if it were me though. Some cars, like the earlier computerized GMs, really wig out with a bad coolant sensor.

Thanks for the help , guys.. I just ordered a sensor from a place in ST. Louis,, it isn't as expensive as I thought,, only $21.xx of course there will be UPS charges, but I was afraid it was going to be a lot higher than that, and even if that doesn't fix the problem it isn't that much money spent,, Thanks again,,

Darn, you were ordering while I was searching. Oh well, I won't tell you. :)



http://www.subaruparts.com/diag/?mod...ategory=036A-1

geez Randy, how did you find that? I spent like 20mins looking for the right diagram before I gave up.

Mike

LOL. well, Mike, I looked there too and never did find it either, I thought they didn't list it... well. it would have been cheaper from them , the only thing,, it should be here in two days from STL.. gee... I hope they are sending me the sensor,, not the sender,,my temp. guage works fine.... thanks again guys....
Vernon.

I usually do a search on a keyword like "sensor" when I can't find something there. I works pretty well.
Ray, It looks like you ordered the right part if it was $21. retail.

22630AA041 Temperature Sensor ($21.27) $14.67 ;)

Practice, my boy. Lots and lots of practice. :D

One day I hope to master the ways of subaruparts.com, oh great president. <bows>

Mike

Well, it seems that my car is going to work fine, I got the coolant temp. sensor yesterday and installed it last night , I just started it this morning and it fired right up like it was supposed to and no , start,die,start,die,, like it did before I changed it,,, so if it keeps working like it is now, then that was the problem,, take care all,,,,
Vernon

I am glad to here you got it fixed. Did you do it yourself? How hard was it to get out?

Yes.. I changed the sensor myself,,I am 55 now and I have fooled with cars since I was about 10 that is because my dad was a mechanic and I was with him in the shop about all the time,, No. it wasn't difficult at all, in fact I didn't have a 19 metric so I used a spark plug socket,, yes I know, I was taking a chance of rounding it off, but I didn't have a problem,, it took a very short time, no more time than changing a spark plug on a normal car "not SVX" I don't know how to even get to those,, maybe I will never have to change them....
Vernon

I think this is the best thread with a fix that I have seen. It was very straight forward and thanks for letting us know the diagnostic system was correct. I think it's one of the great reasons to the car. Spark plugs are doable.