Stormygirl

I would like to thank everyone, and ask a couple of questions.... I've been a little afraid that it might be the computer. Snotrocket (great name!), if you wouldn't mind, please explain what the "fabled crack in the ECU circuitboard" is all about. Incidentally, as far as gas is concerned--this problem started in southern California in late August--not many issues with condensation there. Also, my sub only gets the best gas, no cut rate slop for my cars! LOL Generally fill up with Chevron or Union 76. Lucky Texan--good idea to check for recalls, which was one of the first things I did, and none are listed for this car/VIN. Thanks again..... Stormygirl

Thanks for the continued replies! I'm gonna get my boyfriend out there tomorrow to help me try some "stuff". It seems so weird to me that this car is (somewhat) consistantly dying, and then not starting for about ten minutes, but then starting. One thing I forgot to add. Right after my first "dying" episode, when I drove from Santa Barbara to San Jose up highway 101, with the light on the whole way, my uncle wiggled all the wires and fuses, and the light went out the next day. Since that time I've had two-three dying situations, where the light has gone back out after I've waited the seemingly obligatory ten minutes before starting the car again, but it has not stayed on for a few hundred miles like it did tomorrow. I'm so confused!! LOL Thanks again....and I'll let ya know if I come up with any resolutions. It just really frosts my socks that the sub dealer won't put it on the computer without charging me two hundred smackers. I'd like to smack them! ha Stormygirl

HI-- I'm new here, and thanks in advance for any advice I might receive. We have a '98 Impreza that has developed a strange dying problem. This all started last August right after I had a new battery put in and the tires rotated (possibly coincidental). Within a few days the Check Engine Light came on, but the car ran fine until I brought it in to the mechanic (40-60 miles). The mechanic said that no computer codes came up, and reset the light. ~150 miles further, in traffic on 101, while hitting the brakes and changing lanes (bumps), the Check Engine Light came on again, and within ten seconds the car died. The radio continued playing, and the lights stayed on until I turned them off. Immediately I tried to restart the car and there was nothing. No start, no grind, no whine, just nothing. Ten minutes later the car started perfectly and ran just fine for the remainder of the 300+ miles I had to drive that day. The Check Engine Light stayed on throughout that drive. The next day the light was off, and the car started and ran without trouble. Several hundred miles further, going downhill, hitting the brakes and a rough section of road, the Check Engine Light came on again. The car died within a few seconds. Previous to dying the car sounded and felt like it was running just fine. Again, no start immediately after dying. It started within five minutes, but ran rough so I turned it off for a few more minutes. After I restarted the car, it ran beautifully and sounded normal. I stopped at a dealer, who refered me to another Sub mechanic in town because they were busy. The other sub mechanic came up with an "undocumented code" and told me that they had no idea what caused this problem. Two days and several hundred miles further it happened again, exactly as before, braking, rough road, Check Engine Light, dead car. Ten minutes later it started up without trouble. The local Sub dealer wants a freaking $200 to stick it on their computer and run a diagnostic. I think dealers suck. If I have to go to them, I will, but I thought I'd look at other options first. This car has ~140k, has been driven mostly on highways and open roads, not much city, and has no major work done--just regular tune-ups, timing belt, etc. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? Incidentally and possibly coincidentally--it seems that every time this car has died, it's been running with lights and radio on, and the gas tank has been below 1/2. Every time it's been within a few seconds of braking/quick deceleration and hitting some bumps on the road. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Thanks in advance..... Stormygirl