SVX turns off while it's running

[arvirago]

I would like to know if someone has ever had the same problem that I have with my SVX. It occurs from time to time and I have no idea what the cause may be. The fact is that my SVX turns off completely while it’s running. It happens at low speeds, and, as I see it, it’s very probable that it may always happen during a turn and without speeding up. The motor turns off suddenly and the car remains without any electricity, circulating under position D, as it would do under position N. The result is that, since there’s no electricity, the power steering does not work any more and it turns out quite dangerous to drive the car. I would appreciate any information about the matter or whether anyone has ever gone through this problem. Thanks a lot.

[Blacky]

I think you'll find that there is electricity. The power steering is driven by a pump with a pulley. When the engine stops, the power steering pump stops spinning.
It sounds like your MAF sensor is failing, a common issue on an old SVX. Quite often it can be repaired by prying open the square cap on the MAF and re-soldering the connections.
There is a How To thread on this site.

[Hocrest]

Does the engine actually shut off? Do you have to turn the key to get it started again? Or is the only symptom that the power steering cuts out?

[Cotton]

There are a lot of people with MAFs for sale. I can't imagine they would cost you too much. Ask on one of the FB pages.

[arvirago]

Thank you very much for your responses. Hocrest, the engine does actually shut off and you have to turn the key to get the car started again.
What I usually do is to try stop at the side and re-start the car, when it´s possible. There has been some time that I´ve had to start the car on the N position since there was no chance to step aside.
I really appreciate all your support since I live in Spain and there are very few SVX in here, not to talk about the misinformation of the mechanichs, including those from the official mechanichal workshops.

[Sean486]

It does sound like a MAF. Mine would do the same thing when it was going bad

[elemgee]

My 94 did the exact same thing, more often right after I made a turn and gave the car some gas. It was the MAF. There is some info on this site on how to open up the MAF and do a little soldering to fix the problem. That's that i did and haven't had a problem since.

[alia176]

while this happens, no check engine light codes pop up? I'd think that the ECU would detect a MAF sensor fault and report it.

[fasteract7]

A faulty MAF is known to NOT pop a CEL code for some reason. Go on eBay and get the cheaper MAF for a Legacy....Mass Air Flow Meter Sensor for Subaru Forester Impreza Legacy 2.5L...with part number ending in "A160". Been using one on my 1992 for a couple years, several thousand miles without a problem..takes a while when first installed for the ECU is recalibtate things a bit so it might initially run somewhat rough at idle. Google or a Search will confirm others have gone this route. BTW, I had 2 OEM MAFs go bad and my attempts to cure with a resolder were to no avail.

[Chucksta]

Ditto on the MAF sensor... Been there, done that. I had exactly the same symptoms. It was just like the key was pulled out of the ignition. At low speed, I'd have to hit neutral to re start.. at higher speed, especially if the torque converter was locked, it'd just pause for a second or two, and then the power would come back. It never threw a code for it either. I put in the spare from my donor car, and it took a few run cycles to smooth out, but it's been fine since..