Help! 96 impreza wagon stalls when oper. temp reached

[sixxxofus]

Fixed. At the time of first post had no CEL. Then car threw P0100 (Mass Air Flow Circuit Broken). A friend that works at the local subaru dealership had a MAF laying around and gave it to me. Replaced it plus did all other tune-up items. Running good now.

 

96 impreza wagon. 2.2 auto 152,000 mi.

I bought this vehicle 2 weeks ago so the maintenance history is unknown. Car is in decent shape and runs good other than this problem I started having.

First time it happened I started it cold and drove about 2 blocks to pick up kids from bus stop. As I was sitting with the engine running it was still in the "cold" high idle then when the temp came up and kicked into low idle it kinda sputtered and wanted to stall but came back OK.

Last night when leaving work I drove about 1 mile uphill which is about when I'd normally reach oper. temp and the car just started slowing down as if I weren't even stepping on the gas. I continued to roll for about 100 feet still pressing on the gas and nothing. Just as I veered to pull off the road it came back, stuttered a couple of times but made it home OK about 30 miles.

Then this morning started it up 10-15 min before I had to leave. Checked on it about 5-8 mins. and was still running. Finally,When I came outside it had stalled out. So it seems to be happening right at the point that it reaches operating temp IMHO. I spent ALL day searching but couldn't really find one doing exactly the same. Most of what i read has me thinking IAC. Just hoping someone could help with some advice as to where to start poking around.

 

Thanks

Edited April 11, 2011 by sixxxofus

[Olnick]

No CEL? (Does your CEL light up when you start?)

 

Might want to try a tuneup, new NGK plugs and OEM wires. New PCV and clean the oil/gunk out of the hoses connected to it. New air and fuel filters.

 

Wouldn't hurt to give the IACV a good cleaning. I like to take mine out of the car and give it a really good flushing.

 

One possibility at that mileage might be the ECTS (Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor). Hate to suggest throwing parts at a problem but could be worth considering--about $30 IIRC.

 

Good luck.

[sixxxofus]

Thanks. I planned to do all of that very soon but I was just fishing for some advice as to where to start. The thing runs great other than the above mentioned problem.