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2001 Subaru Forester Acceleration Problem
I have an intermittent problem (about 3 times a week) where when I depress the accelerator the vehicle starts to move, then feels like the brakes are being depressed and then accelerates forward. It is much the same if someone grabs the back of your shirt when you start to walk from them - you accelerate but are being held back. In the world of carbureators this would be symptomatic of a bad accelerator. Needless to say this makes crossing a 4 lane highway exciting. Has anyone heard of a similar problem with this vehicle? The dealer and a Subaru rep could not find the problem and so have done nothing.
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According to the Subaru dealer there were no error codes in the computer. The check engine light has never come on except when I start the vehicle. The "hesitation" only occurs when I first start the vehicle when it is cold, as in not used for 5 hours or mere, and I go forward. If I back up first the "hesitation" does not occur.
this may push subaru to do something, because
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/ivoq/default.htm
I have another intermittent problem with ths vehicle. Stopping is mostly straight and true. Occasionally the vehicle wants to swerve right or left when the brakes are applied. This is not a little pull one way to another - it is a "turn here now" action. I have reported this to the service department, but they could not duplicate the problem and thus no fix.
Can either or both of these problems be caused by a bad transaxel?
Could your problem be similar?
You may want to do an ATF flush if you have 30k miles or more (or if you're close). That may help.
I do know that the ECU sort of "learns" your driving style, and can adjust the tranny shift points accordingly. You can reset the ECU by disconnecting the negative terminal for half an hour, then reconnect, start her up and let her idle for a while. Then, when you drive off, drive aggressively so the ECU knows you want to have power available right away, with no hesitation. Just a thought.
-juice
HESITATION ON ACCELERATION - 11-53-98 (2/99)
Applicability: 97-98 Legacy, Impreza, and Forester Manual Transmission Vehicles with 2.5l and 2.2l engines.
In the event you encounter a customer complaint of a slight engine hesitation between 1500-2500 rpm's when the engine is cold or hot, perform the following
Eliminate all external influences, such as an incorrect or dirty air filter, loose or tracked intake duct, dirty fuel filter, low fuel pressure, PVC system, or low engine vacuum that would indicate an external leak or an internal engine component.
If all external components are confirmed to be operating within vehicle specifications, the hesitation may be caused by the ignition control logic in the ECM. Under certain low rpm driving patterns, the ignition control system can pick up engine vibrations through the knock sensor and may retard the ignition timing. This ignition timing is learned by the ECM and placed in memory. NOTE: This area of memory can not be viewed by using the Select Monitor. When the vehicle is driven uinder these conditions, the timing may be retarded and could cause the engine to hesitate on acceleration. To confirm this condition, road test the vehicle while viewing the Knock Sensor Signal on the Select Monitor. If you duplicate the hesitation, and the reading on the monitor is around -10 degrees, you will need to change the ECM to correct the concern. [my note: this is an enhanced ECM, not a replacement with the same component]
Nonetheless, right or wrong, good detective work, kiwi!
My Forester has standard, and, it's not a real jewel when cold either.
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