Low idle/ won't start when it gets colder.

Asked by Ben Oct 09, 2020 at 12:58 AM about the 2004 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My 04 subaru outback has a low idle issue that starts
when it starts getting cold. When I first start the car the
idle is fine but once it warms up the idle drops real low. It
also dips real low when I come to a stop. When it gets real
cold it won't even start some times ( more time then not).
I've clean the throttle body and air control valve ( also
checked it was working).  The parks plus, ignition coil, and
the spark plug wires were all replaced as well. I can seem
to figure out whats cause the load idle.

1 Answer

48,040

Are you SURE you cleaned the upper and lower surfaces of the throttle body with the butterfly held open with a gloved hand or stick? If all is new and clean then note that you can unscrew and CAREFULLY rotate the ACV very slightly to boost idle about 50- 100rpm, If you go too far the ECM will get pissed and force the idle back down again and possibly throw a CEL you'll have to erase and restart the adjustment. Note that the ECM wants to slam the iudle down to 650 to control emissions; that's a bvit low to prevent to the driveline from shaking in gear. Not much can be dome to remedy this shake except to turn the AC on and get an auto-idle push from the system. That'll waste fuel, of course, but maybe it won't shake as much. This state was improved in 2005+ when more bolts were used to secure the motor to the trans. Ern

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Mark Weiner
    Reputation
    33,220
  • #2
    TheSubaruGuruBoston
    Reputation
    28,310
  • #3
    Keith Cahalan
    Reputation
    3,310
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Subaru Forester
32 Great Deals out of 1,363 listings starting at $3,995
Used Toyota RAV4
122 Great Deals out of 3,046 listings starting at $4,999
Used Honda CR-V
168 Great Deals out of 4,959 listings starting at $440
Used Toyota 4Runner
26 Great Deals out of 543 listings starting at $7,700
Used Subaru Legacy
12 Great Deals out of 208 listings starting at $3,000
Used Toyota Tacoma
45 Great Deals out of 725 listings starting at $9,975
Used Subaru Impreza
28 Great Deals out of 654 listings starting at $4,299
Used Toyota Highlander
39 Great Deals out of 793 listings starting at $5,900
Used Toyota Camry
47 Great Deals out of 1,140 listings starting at $4,795
Used Honda Pilot
39 Great Deals out of 852 listings starting at $1,995
Used Ford F-150
310 Great Deals out of 13,660 listings starting at $3,800
Used Honda Civic
188 Great Deals out of 4,003 listings starting at $440

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.