Hi Scotty I’ve got a 1999 Subaru Legacy Outback and its got 108,000 miles, automatic transmission and the car runs good for 1-3 minutes when I cold start it but as soon as it goes into closed loop and starts listening to the sensors it starts missfireing and running rough. It won’t accelerate, has trouble revving and won’t rev past 3,000 rpm.
Codes? (Also, have the head gaskets been changed? Those are notorious leakers.)
My car had the head gaskets done at a shop 15-20,000 miles ago and it throws a code for cam sensor but I already replaced the cam sensor and then the code persisted so i got a troubleshooting guide for the wireing from all data and then I repaired the connector that plugs into the cam sensor it had a bad conection but the code is still their
My car had the head gaskets done at a shop 15-20,000 miles ago and it throws a code for cam sensor but I already replaced the cam sensor and then the code persisted so i got a troubleshooting guide for the wireing from all data and then I repaired the connector that plugs into the cam sensor it had a bad conection but the code is still their
OK, assuming the head gasket job was done right the gaskets should not be a factor. Did you use an aftermarket sensor or OEM? You may need to use the wiring diagram to trace continuity from the sensor to the ECU. (Hopefully it is not a problem with the computer.)
check the FAQ
The code is telling you the problem. You didn't say what the code is but it's probably in the neighborhood of a P0340 code.
The code persists even after you replaced the sensor and repaired its pigtail connector. But the code still points to a wiring issue in that circuit.
That's the issue you need to resolve.
That's going to be a pain to nail down but let me ask you this.
If you unplug the upstream O2 sensor, and prevent your Outback from going into closed loop, does the driveabilty issue disappear and does it run OK after warm-up?
That would be an interesting experiment and would rule out SOME mechanical issues.
Now that's going to force the computer to use its open loop preprogramed air/fuel ratio tables and you're going to run a little rich which isn't good for the catalytic converter in the long term.
Also, it's going to force some O2 sensor heater and signal codes but you can just clear those when you're done.
..... just saying, it would be an interesting experiment
