1999 Subaru Outback Any suggestions?

ADDICTEDTOSUBARU

MEMBER
1999 SUBARU OUTBACK
4 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
145,000 MILES

My recently purchased Outback is experiencing a few problems and I think they might correlate. First, the car shakes when it's idling in drive. Second, the lights dim when I press the gas or brake, and when I turn on the a/c or heater. Third, the cd player cuts in and out when I press and release the gas. What is going on? Where do I start?

3 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi addictedtosubaru,

Thank you for the donation.

The vibration during idling could be due to bad engine mounts or low/erratic idling speed. What is the idling speed?

Get the alternator and charging rate tested for the lights and erraric CD player operations. Clean and retighten all grounding circuits.

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Sunday, August 29th, 2010 AT 1:52 PM

ADDICTEDTOSUBARU

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2 POSTS

You're welcome for the donation, I would do anything to get it running well. So, I'll do that and get back to you guys. Thanks a lot for the advice.

Then idling speed is 700rpm when it's not vibrating and it drops down to 625rpm when the vibration starts. Where should I look to check out the engine mounts, what should I look for? I am going to take it into Subaru, but I want to know so I dont get conned into changing parts I dont necessarily need.

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Sunday, August 29th, 2010 AT 2:57 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

If th vibration does not occur at 700 rpm, then it might not be a fault with the engine mounts. As the idling speed id dropping, you need to check the idle contrls.

Cleaning the throttle body and Idle Air control valve might work.

Bad engine mounts would result in the engine jerking when transmission is shifted to D or R. Visual inspections would require you to check for breaks at the mount rubber.

If the Check Engine Light is indicating, get a free scan done at a free scan done at Autizone and let me know the EXACT trouble code.

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Sunday, August 29th, 2010 AT 3:25 PM