1998 Subaru Forester stalling while driving

Tiny
HIMILE98FORESTER
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 SUBARU FORESTER
  • 4 CYL
  • AWD
  • MANUAL
  • 231,098 MILES
The engine stalls or loses power while driving. Upon pulling over and turning engine off then back on, problem ceases---till next time. Conditions are hot and high speed. I replace coil--no change. Is this fuel pressure related, a sensor, or what? Engine has been top-overhauled once after blowing head gasket. Plugs and wires are fairly new and the problem predates them.
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Saturday, August 28th, 2010 AT 6:35 PM

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Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hi himile98Forester, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation

Do you have a check engine light?

Next time it stalls and refuses to start do below immediately don't wait for nothing to determine if its a fuel or spark issue and comeback with some results we start here

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, If you can hear the fuel pump come On- check the fuel pressure with a fuel pressure tester designed for your fuel system to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pick-up strainer/fuel pump/pressure regulator and also listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light and see if it flashing, If you don't hear the fuel pump, check the fuel pump fuse and fuel pump relay-Depends on what type ignition system is yours, No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, camshaft and crankshaft position sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply to your vehicle disregard it meaning if it doesn't come with one ignore it and continue testing
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Saturday, August 28th, 2010 AT 7:33 PM
Tiny
HIMILE98FORESTER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Since the problem goes away when I pull over to side of road. Engine starts back up and problem is gone. Till next time. I'll check the spark to ground. The new coil is a Subaru OEM part from the dealer. What's a "noid"? Where is the fuel pump, in gas tank? There are many fuel pumps listed online from $40 on up to $200. Does it matter which one I get if that's the problem? How can I test the fuel pump relay? The mechanic tested the fuel pressure, it was okay. He's baffled. The stalling has very gradually happened more and more often, from once a year to several times a week now, over the course of four years. The serpentine belt is new also. Let's keep talking on this one.
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Saturday, August 28th, 2010 AT 7:54 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Mechanic tested the fuel pressure and said its okay then there's nothing wrong with the fuel pump and its in the fuel tank -for the noid its obviously the injectors are doing its job.

Could be the ignitor, camshaft and camshaft sensors heating up and causing it to include the ignition switch and computer
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Saturday, August 28th, 2010 AT 8:07 PM
Tiny
DHARMASHIV
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Do a scan of your computer regardless of the ECL. That's where to start. I had a similar problem and replaced lots of items before finding it was the MAF. For a full rundown go to Subaruforester. Org.
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Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 AT 6:20 PM

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