Car won't start - ideas???

[Subie59]

Ok check engine light on and off for a few days. A few days ago engine light stayed on while I went a few blocks to the store. When I went to start it today it would not start. Turns over and wants to start, but cuts out a second after it seems like it is thinking about startting. Almost as if the gas is getting choked off. Will do check-engine test tomorrow to see if I can pick up some codes... but thought someone may have experienced a similar situation...
Thanks Vic

[SoCal LS-L]

Im sure everyone has experienced a cranks-no start at some point.... but it could be caused by a hundred different things. The ECM code retrieval should point you in the right direction..... let us know what comes up.

[Subie59]

Tried to get a reading from the diagnostics but i could not get it to work. Is there a trick to this. Seems simple but the check engine light did not flash at all.....weird

[Subie59]

Finally just cranked it until it started. Ran rough for about 30 seconds and then smoothed out and ran perfectly. Managed to get it over to my garage. Judging from what I have read on here I'm pretty sure it is the Electronic Temperature Control sensor. One fan on left side kicked in the second I turned the car on, which seems like the temperature sensor was reading a hot engine.
I'll let everyone know how it turns out...

[SURTEESS]

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53568

See post 11

[Subie59]

Yes Surteess that thread is where I got my information from thanks to the "search" function.

[SoCal LS-L]

Originally Posted by Subie59

Finally just cranked it until it started. Ran rough for about 30 seconds and then smoothed out and ran perfectly. Managed to get it over to my garage. Judging from what I have read on here I'm pretty sure it is the Electronic Temperature Control sensor. One fan on left side kicked in the second I turned the car on, which seems like the temperature sensor was reading a hot engine.
I'll let everyone know how it turns out...

Sounds like you cleared out a classic flooding condition..... Did you use any starting fluid to get it going?

And the fan... you made sure the AC was turned off right? From what you described, I think you might have nailed it with the coolant temperature sensor. Id use a subaru part... mine was about 28 bucks from Subarugenuineparts.com

[Subie59]

Yea thanks SoCal.It's at the mechanics now. I'll give them a call and let them know what I think the problem is and we will go from there... I'll let everyone know.

[Subie59]

Ok Temperature Control Sensor changed and it still won't start or run well. Mechanic can't get a diagnosis on it but pulled a plug and said they looked bad. I think I'm going to go ahead and let them change the plugs. Big job equals big bucks though....
Any thoughts?????

[SoCal LS-L]

Did you check and see if starting fluid changed the starting behavior any? Thats a quick way to determine if the spark is ok and timed....

[SURTEESS]

How many kms (miles) since plugs were changed?

[Subie59]

No I have not used any starter fluid - the car is at the Mechanics now.
I have never changed the plugs because it has been running perfectly but I have only owned the car maybe three years and have not put a lot of kms on it. But I figure the plugs should probably be changed anyway.... so I will likely let him go ahead and change the plugs....

[Subie59]

Ok guys maybe one of you can help me out. Replaced the Temp. Control sensor and the plugs. Car now starts no problem, so it must have been the plugs as the main culprit. Had her up to 140 kms/hr and she ran fine.
But now the car runs a little rough at low RPM and on idle. It never used to be that way. Prior to this problem I could hardly tell the car was running it was so smooth.
Anyway, does a change in plugs require a timing adjustment or could a vacuum hose have been left off when the plugs were being changed???
Any suggestions would be appreciated.