2006 Subaru Forester - Dying at Idle/Worse on Hot Days

Maintenance/Repairs
1

Low idle, stalling after driving awhile. after stalling won’t start for 20-30 mins. drives good when going down the road only dies when coming to a stop after driving awhile. worse on hot days

2

You didn’t ask a question but I will assume you’d like to know why this is happening.

Could be lots of things. You can help narrow it down by telling us; Is the check engine light on? What are the codes? What engine does this have? Turbo or non? Miles on the engine? Do you want to work on this problem yourself - make sure you post answers to everything I asked.

Or are you going to take it somewhere to be fixed? If you are, why did you post this?

3

Thanks for the reply I typed a lot more information but it didn’t go on the post for some reason.

There are no codes I brought it to Subaru and they couldn’t find the problem it only happens after it gets hot like after driving on the interstate for awhile. It’s a Subaru Forester x 2.5 non turbo has 195000 miles. I do want to try to do the work myself. It drives great only when I come to a stop sign/light does it die. Also can keep it running if I put in neutral and rev up. Once it starts acting up it hesitates when starting from a stop.

4

Have someone try cleaning the electronic throttle body.

Tester

1 Like
5

Agree with @tester. Clean throttle body. Replace it if that doesn’t work.

6

Ok will do I will get a new gasket just in case it breaks. Thanks I’ll let you know how that goes. I did clean it the best I could without taking it off. It did idle a little better after I did so I will take it off and clean throughly.

1 Like
7

Wiggle and turn the throttle shaft a bit, too, to check its condition. 195K on a part that moves constantly when you drive could very well be worn out and sticking.

8

If you are going to clean make sure you reset the PCM so it knows it has a clean throttle body and not trying to adjust for the dirty throttle body .

9

It’s interesting that the stalling symptom is worse on hot days. What you got going for you is that sometimes it won’t start for 30 minutes after it stalls. I presume by this you mean it cranks ok, but wont’ start and run. That time is a great opportunity to test if the reason for the cranks but won’t start is fuel or spark. Either check for a visible spark at a spark plug (using a spare plug) or spray starter fluid into the air intake. One you’ve determined spark vs fuel the remaining diagnosis job will be much easier.