2004 Subaru Outback Trouble starting car

HYBRIDREX

MEMBER
2004 SUBARU OUTBACK
4 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
52,485 MILES

My wife's 04 Outback has trouble starting. The car seemed to stuggle starting for a few weeks. Then bam it would not start. I took it to a shop, he stats that he cleaned a fuel solenoid and would start. Now it will not start in the morning i.E. Cold weather and will later in the afternoon when it warms up. I have cleaned the battery connections, the grounding point, checked the battery and all. The car is getting spark and fuel from the tank. It does turn over, but fails to start. It sounds as if it wants to start but does not. Any ideas?

1 Reply

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Hi hybridrex, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation

Lets start by having the fuel pressure check if its within specs-could be the fuel pump getting weak or a clogged fuel filter could also be the coolant temperatrue sensor not telling the computer that the engine is cold and needs more fuel for a cold starts-let me know, or do below to determine if its fuel or spark problem

Next time it refuses to start don't wait for it to make up its mind-do below immediately to determine if its fuel or spark problem

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, Do you hear the fuel pump come On when you turn key on? If not check fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay if so, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, cap and rotor, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it and keep testing