# Subie Sabotage?! **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** outback, impreza, subaru\ **Created:** [February 24, 2010, 3:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subie-sabotage/45041 "2010-02-24T03:16:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SubieQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SubieQ](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SubieQ)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2010, 3:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subie-sabotage/45041/1 "2010-02-24T03:16:28Z")
I drive a 2003 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport and my husband drives a 2005 Subaru Legacy Wagon. Recently my husband has set his eyes on a VW GTI. Thinking he just wants a smaller sporty manual transmission I thought perhaps he should drive my car for a bit. (I know it isn’t the same but it’s paid for!) He’s borrowed it twice now and both times the check engine light has come on. Each time the code was P0519 - Idle air control. Any idea what he’s doing to my car? Or could this be a case of sabotage so he can talk me into getting that VW… ---
**Author:** ![oblivion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3ab097/32.png) [@oblivion](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oblivion)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 1:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subie-sabotage/45041/2 "2010-02-25T01:05:02Z")
I think it’s a coincidence. I can’t imagine how he could drive that would cause that code to come up. It’s like blaming him for a tail light bulb burning out. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 2:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subie-sabotage/45041/3 "2010-02-25T02:00:52Z")
Idle Air control problems are not uncommon for any make of car with miles and age so I would look at this right now as a sheer coincidence. It’s also pretty easy to make that Idle Air code come up with a simple wire disconnect… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 3:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subie-sabotage/45041/4 "2010-02-25T03:42:17Z")
But, is there is problem with the idle? Is the idle rough, or stumbly? Cleaning the idle air control valve (iacv) air passages with a Throttle Body Cleaner spray could help. What could improve the situation wasn’t the question, was it? No, the trouble light isn’t related to anybody. ---
**Author:** ![SubieQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SubieQ](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SubieQ)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 4:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subie-sabotage/45041/5 "2010-02-25T04:51:48Z")
It has idled rough two or three times but these events always followed backing out of the garage to get the mower then pulling back in quickly. I hate to say it but my husband is the one who pulls it out like that and I think those few times he gave it a bit too much gas. After such an event it will get back to normal if you give it 30 seconds or so. I really have babied the thing. I don’t get the RPMs up very high before I shift - say 3,500. Typically I drive at 2,500 to 3,500 RPM. My husband does get it higher than that so perhaps that is part of it. (I really don’t blame him for this - it’s just fun to tease!) I’ve read comments about the IACV but it seems like that’s not always the fix. Also see a few posts suggesting a vacuum leak. Regardless it sounds like this is a tricky problem to track down, but no one seems to think its a major concern. Is the IACV easy to get to for a non-mechanical person? I’m handy, but I’ve never worked on cars… ---
**Author:** ![SubieQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SubieQ](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SubieQ)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 4:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subie-sabotage/45041/6 "2010-02-25T04:53:00Z")
You know, I do have a license plate bulb out in the back. I’ll have to ask my husband about that… ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 1:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subie-sabotage/45041/7 "2010-02-25T13:06:37Z")
If you want to try do-it-yourself repair I suggest you purchase a service manual for your Impreza. Then you can follow the step-by-step diagnostic procedure for the idle air circuit or anything else you might want to mess with. Having a service manual really helps you to properly maintain your car. Well worth the money in my opinion. Try [http://www.Books4Cars](http://www.Books4Cars) for inexpensive used manuals. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 8:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/subie-sabotage/45041/8 "2010-02-25T20:11:35Z")
I think your IACV is dirty or whatever and it’s right on the edge and just so sensitive that a difference in driving style makes it act up. I think very soon the light will come on for you too. Lots of short trips, especially just a few feet will promote build up of gunk in the IACV, throttle body and the PCV system. FYI, when I’m “moseying along” on flat ground I shift my 4-cyl engine at 2000 RPM. I’m in 5th gear by 40MPH.