Max Power Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 On Saturday 02/09/08, I purchased a new 2008 OB 2.5i (8DD). My need for a new vehicle was mainly due to my 97 OB taking a trailer hitch up the snout a couple of weeks back. But I digress . . . Can you imagine my disappointment when I went out to start the car this morning (2/11/08) and it would not turn over? All the lights came on for sure, but the engine did not turn. 48 miles on the ticker, and I’m stuck in my driveway. After 10 solid minutes of trying everything I could think of, the car reluctantly turned and started. The idle was rough, there was no throttle control, there was a solid CEL, and a blinking cruise control light. After 20 or so minutes at idle, the engine had two speeds; idle and 1500 rpm (regardless of throttle position). After 35 minutes at idle, the throttle control had returned. So I drove the car in for service less than 48 hours after purchasing the car. My guess is that when they washed the car Saturday, water ended up somewhere water does not belong and then froze. I didn’t start the car between Saturday afternoon and this morning, and the temperature was below zero pretty much the entire time. Now I am driving a loaner van that smells like kitty litter. As an FYI – If anyone in the Chicagoland area is in the market for an ’08 OB, there is an additional $500 cash-back available for attending the Chicago Car Show that can be applied in addition to the $1,500 cash-back offered by Subaru. Ask your dealer about it, you likely won’t have to physically attend the car show. It’s like finding money in the trunk. Thanks for listening. -mp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brus brother Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 My guess is that when they washed the car Saturday, water ended up somewhere water does not belong and then froze. I didn’t start the car between Saturday afternoon and this morning, and the temperature was below zero pretty much the entire time. hmmm... washing a car shouldn't have this effect. If they have another one on the lot, I'd ask for that one PERMANENTLY and not for the kitty litter loaner. Nuf said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostinthe202 Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 hmmm... washing a car shouldn't have this effect. If they have another one on the lot, I'd ask for that one PERMANENTLY and not for the kitty litter loaner. Nuf said. I 2nd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Power Posted February 11, 2008 Author Share Posted February 11, 2008 If they have another one on the lot, I'd ask for that one PERMANENTLY and not for the kitty litter loaner. Nuf said. That's certainly one approach to consider. Another approach I have considered is to allow the service technicians an opportunity to read the code(s) and arrive at some sort of conclusion before I ruffle any feathers or start making demands. For now, I'm leaning towards sleeping on it and seeing what tomorrow brings. At the very least I am comfortable knowing the issue is documented. -mp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montana105 Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 The wife and I have been looking at a new one and this kind of concerns me but I'd like to know what it was you did to finally get it started,was it the car or did you leave something or etc..? Thanks John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucky92 Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 There is one member on NASIOC who is having a similar problem with his 08 Impreza. But only on cold mornings and not to the severity of yours ( his will start 2nd or 3rd try) and doesnt throw a code. I am curious as to what they find is the cause. Since it happened within 48 hours it could be something very simple. You are lucky it tossed a code to make it easier to diagnose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOthis Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 yes...please keep this updated....im really interested to know what they find out..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montana105 Posted February 11, 2008 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Guess what I'm really curious about as we haven't actually been to the showroom is if this car has the infamous virgin switch? And if it wasn't a dead battery situation what was it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Power Posted February 12, 2008 Author Share Posted February 12, 2008 The wife and I have been looking at a new one and this kind of concerns me but I'd like to know what it was you did to finally get it started,was it the car or did you leave something or etc..?Thanks John I certainly don't want want to scare anyone away from a Subaru, and weighed the possibility of doing so before posting. I hadn't read of my situation happening before, so I look at it as an anomaly. As for what I did to get it started . . . after 10 minutes of trying I became frustrated (it was 5 below) and rapidly turned the key to the start position, probably 2-3 times per second for upwards of 10 seconds. I heard the engine start to turn at one point, I took a deep breath and then tried starting the car like a calm person. The engine started and idled very rough. One thing I tried to do initially was move the gear selector in and out of the various positions. I did this because I was seeing the 'sport' light on, and I wasn't sure if that was normal or not (I still don't). I also tried cranking with the brake depressed, and also with my seat belt on. I seriously figured it was user error. The only thing I did that may have had an impact was to tap on the starter motor with a screwdriver. I was already thinking of the possibility of freezing moisture being the culprit, so in my mind I was rattling a few ice crystals loose by tapping on the starter. The good news is that the car is in the hands of professionals now. When there is an update, I'll post more info. -mp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Power Posted February 12, 2008 Author Share Posted February 12, 2008 Guess what I'm really curious about as we haven't actually been to the showroom is if this car has the infamous virgin switch? Care to elaborate on "the infamous virgin switch"? -mp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brus brother Posted February 12, 2008 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Care to elaborate on "the infamous virgin switch"? -mp Also known as the "battery kill switch". Not sure on the 08 but there was a parking light ON/OFF on the top of the steering column switch that if inadvertently activated would kill batteries. You didn't seem to have a dead battery though so no virgin for you. PS Outrage is a reasonable response with perhaps some perks begged even if they figure it out. "My confidence in the car is shaken" etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Power Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 I got the car back today after 3 days in the shop. The tech concluded the problem was due to the throttle position sensor connector not being firmly seated. Two fault codes were pulled (TPS and crank sensor) from when I brought the vehicle in, neither of which appeared once the tech re-plugged the sensors. The tech kept the car an extra night or two and put some miles on the car just to be sure. As a side note, the crank sensor fault was likely caused by the TPS not being plugged in. All in all, a very good experience with the service department. :clap: Cheers, mp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon38iowa Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 I got the car back today after 3 days in the shop. Glad it all worked out, though I am surprised the dealer gave you a smelly loaner. Often times, the dealership will loan you a late model, almost new buggy. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2X2KOB Posted February 15, 2008 Share Posted February 15, 2008 Time will tell. Keep us advised if it comes up again, all right? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Power Posted February 15, 2008 Author Share Posted February 15, 2008 Glad it all worked out, though I am surprised the dealer gave you a smelly loaner. Often times, the dealership will loan you a late model, almost new buggy. John Surprisingly, the "litter box" had 107 miles when I got it. I now suspect the porter may have had something to do with the odor, as the smell went away in a couple of days. Or maybe I got used to it . . . Anyhow, if the OB problem comes back, rest assured I will vent here. Cheers, mp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 I had the same light show (but no starting problem) happen to my 2006 Forester XT after a trip to the car wash. The code for TPS came up, we unplugged it, blew dry air in, reconnected, never saw it again. Maybe they're getting to busy at the factory? We've had a local Legacy H6 with some odd perfomance problems, and it turned out to be an ill-fitted intake hose connection. Air was entering the system aft the MAF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daehttub2000 Posted February 17, 2008 Share Posted February 17, 2008 Sounds like there is still a Gomer or two on the assembly line at Subaru’s Lafayette, IN plant (probably a Notre Dame graduate:lol: ). Sounds like you picked up a “Monday Morning” car. Years ago, I had a somewhat similar experience with my brand new 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon a few days off the lot. I drove to a store and when I got back to the car (dry day) everything was electrically dead. No lights, no radio, no click when I turned the key. It was a weekend and no service help was available so I just popped the hood and started fiddling with the fuses under the hood. Well, one or two were loose. Everything was perfectly fine after that. I wonder how often this has happened to other folks. There was a thread earlier on the board about a similar incident. Good luck and keep us posted... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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