98 Forester Won't Idle

Getting any trouble codes from your motor?

Might check and see if somebody has tried to adjust your idle using the screw on the little throttle connection at the intake, possible to compensate for a problem.

I would consider cleaning the Idle Air Control Solenoid, as my mother's older Legacy wagon would die at idle until the part was cleaned, and if you're already doing a tune-up, maybe replace the PCV valve too. My Impreza set a trouble code for the Idle Air Control Solenoid before I ever had noticeable problems, but cleaning the carbon build-up from it with some carbeurator cleaner to free up the little air valve cleared the trouble code, so all is happy. On my last tune-up, I cleaned it on my XT6 as well. They all seem to be pretty much the similar, so I doubt you'ld have too much troubles in pulling it out and cleaning it.

When I pulled the solenoid that was setting the code, I noticed I could rotate the valve slightly with my finger and that it would stick, open, closed, wherever I put it, but after cleaning the majority of the carbon out, it bounces freely back to it's centerpoint as I would figure it should. (-;

I dunno if you want to use carb cleaner or not, as I couldn't say what ill effects it may have to downstream sensors/ components, but it worked for me. I tried to be sure it was reasonably evaporated before reinstalling the solenoid and starting the engines.

I considered just replacing the solenoid on my Impreza, but the parts guy quoted me into the $800 ballpark for it. Needless to say, I didn't bother asking about the solenoids on the other two cars.

~Brian

Thanks brian,

I cleaned the air filter and didn't realize there was a little vacum hose under it. So my problem was my fault. But it's fixed now. I'm still going to do a tune up and i'll look at the solenoid as well...thanks for the tip. take care

eric

strchild wrote:

Haha, yup, done a bit of trouble causing for myself in the past! Glad you found it before you went swatting at flies with the 10 pound hammer. (-;

Luck with the tune-up!

~Brian