starting in cold needs starting fluid, runs fine after start

[w261w261]

This is my son's car, 100k, '92. When the weather got cold here in CT, the car will not start without starting fluid. Then, it runs fine. Check engine has been on. The temp sensor was replaced, but no help. Took the car to Georgetown Subaru in Norwalk, CT, and for an hour's labor they said the ecu, the temp sensor, and an O2 sensor need to be replaced. Since the temp sensor is new, I'm not real confident of their diagnosis, but we don't have a trusted mechanic, and I'm a Honda guy myself, and don't have the time to get into it.

So, anyone have a spare ECU they'd like to sell? The symptom of the cold start problem is the car fires and then immediately stops. With a shot of fluid in the CAI filter it fires right up.

I'd like to solve this problem before the weather gets warmer and it goes back to starting ok. I think we're going to sell it shortly anyhow, and I don't want to burden the buyer.

Thanks.

[Gamesy]

hmm try checking your vaccume lines, maybe moisture is getting in and staying there cause its cold

[SoCal LS-L]

Find out the cause of the check engine light yourself by following the instructions provided in the how-to listed above.

Will it stay on if you use the gas pedal?

Theres a solenoid valve that controls cold starting and running until normal operating temp is reached..... I believe it is the bypass air control solenoid valve, you may want to check that too. Also is it actually not too rare for a new coolant temp sensor to be bad, do you have a multi-meter to check it?

[trophy956]

hi did they read the code ,there a fairly new dealer and nobody there went to svx training , im in norwalk alot ,because i grew up there and still do work for a local shop ,i have my own monitor to use
charlie