why would 2001 outback engine just stop

Double check all connections positive and ground. In the words of a wise old owl (that's on this site some where) wire brush your ground connections on frame and block.

...use a COARSE wirebush...we ain't polishin' jewelry here, just need to get to the point. but dandyoun may be overlooking an important connection the coil pack and it's power...think there may be an ignition relay that's bein' a bastard...I am curious now, that you bring it up...see this is all educational for us out here too---like an expert would just happen to know why's the ignition shuttin' off, just like that...hold onto your hat----I'm goin' in!~

yes! there is a santaclaus, now if we can find it's location~

okey doakie, the lower right relay in your relay box 15A is what this one says~ quite the marvel of engineering, this one.~

pull it out and smell it, if it smells like uncle henry's cigars, swap with an identical one from like the horn or something with identical convigurations or just go ahead and buy a replacement...they are like...not that much money.~

we'll give it a shot. thanks!

Checked the relay, it's good. The ground cable is next. I'll report back. :) thanks for the help

regardless of what your diagnostic report says, let's begin with the basic, shall we? 1.)air 2.)fuel 3.)spark 4.)timing 5) valve timing-ooooo sounds like the prognosis is we've got air, (do we have fuel)....do we have spark?....do we have spark on time? do we have TDC resulting in ignition on the one cylinder?

was indeed hasty in blaming the ignition relay....must do a functionality test by switching it with another known good...these things do not have to want to catch fire to fail.~things are never easy, are they?

you may also want to check the power line that goes from the NEG battery post to UNDER the fuse box in the engine compartment next to the windshield washer container maybe it is loose or dirty