why would 2001 outback engine just stop

40

Asked by snshn122 Jun 01, 2013 at 12:09 PM about the 2001 Subaru Outback Base Wagon

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

replaced battery, replaced starter. sometimes when trying to start there is nothing, no lights
no sound. take key out, try again,  it starts...as we pull away, engine stops, no lights no
nothing. won't lock doors.
does the ground cable from battery go to the starter?

10 Answers

201,065

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.

2 people found this helpful.

...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!~

3 people found this helpful.

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

4 people found this helpful.

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.~

4 people found this helpful.
40

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

2 people found this helpful.

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?

3,395

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

Your Answer:

Outback

Looking for a Used Outback in your area?

CarGurus has 960 nationwide Outback listings starting at $1,795.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Mark Weiner
    Reputation
    33,540
  • #2
    TheSubaruGuruBoston
    Reputation
    28,700
  • #3
    Keith Cahalan
    Reputation
    3,390
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Subaru Forester
36 Great Deals out of 1,336 listings starting at $2,295
Used Toyota RAV4
96 Great Deals out of 2,713 listings starting at $2,500
Used Honda CR-V
88 Great Deals out of 4,543 listings starting at $440
Used Toyota 4Runner
15 Great Deals out of 301 listings starting at $9,995
Used Subaru Legacy
11 Great Deals out of 186 listings starting at $3,990
Used Toyota Highlander
31 Great Deals out of 784 listings starting at $6,500
Used Toyota Tacoma
45 Great Deals out of 1,079 listings starting at $9,399
Used Subaru Impreza
30 Great Deals out of 508 listings starting at $3,444
Used Toyota Camry
62 Great Deals out of 1,074 listings starting at $3,500

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.