2002 Subaru Outback rough idle, nearly stalls

ACBINI

MEMBER
2002 SUBARU OUTBACK
4 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
92,000 MILES

My subaru outback has recently started to idle roughly when i'm stopped at lights or stop signs or am driving slowly (below 20 mph). It also jerks somewhat violently as I accelarate from a stopped position. At sustained highway speeds it seems to run smoothly with no problems. It hasn't stalled yet but it feels like its going to when I come to a stop. The check engine light also recently popped on which i'm sure is related to this problem. Also, sometimes when I accelarate from a stopped position, the car doesn't respond right away to the depression of the gas pedal, and then will all of a sudden catch and the engine will rev quickly and it will accelarate. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

3 Replies

JAH1880

MEMBER

I would check the manifold pressure sensor. I recently had to replace one when my outback starting idling rough and stalling when I was stopped, the engine light came on when it would do this as well.

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Monday, March 17th, 2008 AT 6:19 PM

AUDREYBABONICH

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My outback was doing a similar thing. Turns out that compression was low on cylinder 6. Every time they scanned it it came up as a cylinder 6 misfire code. Had to have the cylinder head removed and replace the intake gasket. Very expensive. Since having it repaired, it works much better now.

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Wednesday, April 9th, 2008 AT 2:37 PM

AMCVEY

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I saw you posted this up quite a while ago, so I was wondering if you ever got is fixed. I have the same car as you except standard and its doing the same thing. We can't seem to figure out the problem. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks a bunch!

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Friday, January 8th, 2010 AT 10:01 AM