I have a '97 Outback 5-speed with about 96,000 miles. The car runs great but during the past week or so it has developed a strange "thump" sound when I start and stop the engine. The thump occurs at the end of the starting cycle and also when the engine is shut off. It is there 80% of the time, not 100%. Anyone have experience with this? First I thought that something was loose, but now I believe the engine computer may be sending an ignition signal at the wrong time.
-- Vic Roberts