1994 Subaru Impreza starting issues

[Katie81]

I drive a 1994 Subaru Impreza with about 98,000 miles. Before Christmas time, once it finally got cold out, I started having difficulty starting the car. The car would crank very slowly and eventually stop. The check engine light, battery light and oil light would turn on. I could eventually get the car to start by flooring the gas pedal and it would crank and crank. While doing this, I could hearing some sort of banging noise underneath the car. However, once I got the car started it seemed to work fine except for the check engine light turning on. This problem was not consistent either. I took the car to my local mechanic who couldn't find anything wrong with it. At this point, the weather had gotten warmer (I live in Philadelphia). Once I got the car back, I wasn't having any problems. It did get cold again, and one day after work, my car had been sitting for a while and I had a very hard time starting the car, same problem. I then took the car to another mechanic who specializes in foreign cars. Althought it was cold, they didn't have any trouble starting it. They said the check engine light came up as a code 21 but could not find any problems with whatever code 21 refers to. They did say the battery was low testing, so they replaced the battery. It was running great for a few weeks, however I have had isolated incidents with the same problem. Seems to occur when it is cold and the car has been sitting.

 

Could this be a problem with the battery connection or switch. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice? I am afraid to take the car to a dealer for fear of paying and arm and a leg for something that someone else could fix.

 

Thanks!!!

Katie

[Skip]

Hi Katie welcome to the USMB.

 

Your problem is with the fuel injection coolant sensor.

 

This is what the code refers to and it what is making it hard to start,as the engine's computer does not know what the temp of the engine is.

 

Any competent shop should be able to change this sensor.

They cost on the order of 35 dollars and can be bought at a good auto parts place.

 

good luck and I hope this helps.