2008 Impreza Hard Start Issue

[BKaise426]

I just signed up for this forum in hopes of finally getting to the bottom of this strange problem that my car has been having over the last 4-5 years. My 2008 Impreza has difficulty starting every (plus or minus) 6 starts, and has been this way for years, and thousands of miles. I first noticed this around 70-80k when I inherited the vehicle from my father but it may have gone on longer, and the car has 145k on the dash now. The best way I can describe it would be that the starter cranks the car over for 5-10 seconds before it finally fires. This causes the check engine light to come on, but within a few more starts, it goes off on its own. The car drives 100% normally throughout the whole process, and the hard start doesn't seem to hold any correlation with anything else. I have been to two different dealerships a total of two times (once for clutch, once for timing service) and when I brought it up, I was told the first time that its a bad battery, and the second time that it was due to an issue with the timing system and unfortunately, neither of these solved the problem. I have a fair amount of mechanical knowledge with American cars (no experience with foreign of any kind really), and I'm stumped. If anyone could help point me in the right direction, I would really appreciate it! 

[1 Lucky Texan]

what code is stored when the CEL comes on?

[somick]

My 2010 Forester calls for spark plugs replacement every 30,000 miles.  How about yours?

 

Another reason for long crank might be the fuel filter required to be changed every 60,000 miles.  I have not done mine yet but I have only 75K on it.

 

Good luck,

Sam

[BKaise426]

Sorry for the late reply, I have been out of town. I just went and got the codes read at O'Reillys and its showing a CEL due to the CPS. This is the first time that it has shown this code, but it sounds much more likely than a bad battery and the other various things I've heard from the dealership. What is involved with changing the CPS on my Impreza and is this something I could change out myself? I am fairly experienced with diesel trucks and American cars and have changed the CPS on my 1993 Dodge diesel before without hassle, but the Subaru is uncharted territory for me. 

[1 Lucky Texan]

should be one small bolt - up top at the front under the alternator.

 

you can google search for pics probably - might even be a youtube video.

 

there have been a coupla reports of folks wiping grime off of the sensor and it works - but they are not expensive sensors so, new one is a good value. can;t rule-out a connector/cable problem either until you examine it.

 

also, be aware your car is due for a timing belt system service unless already done. Due at 105K miles OR 105 months, whichever is first. major valve damage if that system fails. $$$$

Edited January 9, 2017 by 1 Lucky Texan

[idosubaru]

that's unfortunate they guessed battery and timing - both of those are unlikely for the conditions you describe. 

 

previous versions of that engine are easy - one 10mm (maybe 12mm) bolt and disconnect the electrical connector.

 

here's an older EJ engine pic with it circles but same location:
http://s304.photobucket.com/user/meatbawl/media/motorfront.jpg.html

 

some more googling would get you more info/pics.

[BKaise426]

Perfect, Thanks everyone. I ordered both the crank and cam position sensors, figured that I might as well do them both at the same time. Timing was just serviced, so knock on wood, this should fix my problem! Appreciate the help.