Hi all - I just bought a 1990 Legacy L AWD - all works great except an idle problem. When starting cold, I have to keep the revs up manually until the temp gauge comes off the bottom, then it idles fine. Until then it just dies if the throttle is not engaged. After it's warm, it idles and runs great. It acts almost like a stuck-open choke on a carbureted car. The guy I bought it from said a mechanic told him it was a simple fix of replacing a sensor/valve asembly on the F/I apparatus. No one at Checker/Autozone have a clue what I'm talking about, and the guys at the local Subaru dealer shop aren't giving any (free) help.

Anyone have any ideas what I need to get and what kind of work is involved? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Anyone - please????

 

Does it start fine when it's warm? It could be the Coolant Temperature Sensor, which is known to go out and cause starting issues.

 

It starts perfect when it's warm - in fact it always starts immediately on the first turn of the key - it just won't hold an idle until it's warm - as soon as the throttle is released it dies until it starts to warm up, then idles and runs like a top - not bad for 240,000 miles!

Anyone - does this sound like the temperature sensor? Or anthing else?