Starting problem w/'03 Baja

[Don Nickell]

I've a 3 month old Baja that has a funny malady when starting. Without touching the accel pedal it will start then die. Start again and things are fine, no stutter, or whatever. This primarily happens for over a night or 2 of sitting and/or when nights get down to 50 or so. It started happening about a month after I got it.

The dealer has reprogrammed the ICU to no avail; they thought it was a "corn oil in gas" problem in the area. I feel it a thermal switch somewhere that's marginal in operation, etc. I say that because I had a '84 BMW with a simliar problem, but it generally happened 3-5 mintues after starting, often when running down the street it would die then restart 3-5 minutes later and run perfectly. Turned out to be a thermal switch "somewhere under the hood."

Any suggestions appreciated,
Don

 

[Don Nickell]

My 2003 Forester did the exact same thing a week after I got it. the
first time I started it after sitting overnight I had to give it
gas to keep it running. It would run very rough and then die.
If I restarted it, it ran perfectly.

It was a bad oxygen sensor. There are at least 2, and I don't recall
which one, sorry.

-DanD

Thanks, Dan, just received another message concerning that same solution.
I'll call tomorrow and check with my dealer's service department!

Don