1998 legacy outback, starts, but won't idle.

[Garrison]

Hello,

I just recently ran into this problem with my legacy where it refuses to idle. It will start just fine, but the revs go to 1300 for about a second and then die. However, once the car drives, it drives and pulls fine. It's only the idle that isn't functioning. So, I started at my fuel filter and replaced that. The car did not start when I had the fuel-pump unplugged, (hadn't been run in multiple days); and once I changed the fuel filter and tried it again, the same problem persisted. The engine is stock, with 138k on it.

Can you please give some ideas where I should look next? Is it the fuel pump?

[subleg69]

Idle air control valve.

[subleg69]

take it out and clean it then it should be good to go. or buy a new one but they are expensive

[Garrison]

Thank you. I left my Haynes manual at my folks' house, can I get a picture of what I need to remove and clean?

[subleg69]

I would send you a picture of what mine looks like but i think yours looks different then mine. but it should be right on the throttle body its very easy to find, just becareful taking it off with the rubber gasket.

[Garrison]

Is there a link to the correct cleaning procedure? I don't want to drop $70 on a used one if I don't have to.

[subleg69]

basically i used carb cleaner and cleaned out the spot on the throttle body that it went into. i used my finger with a latex glove because it was all gunked up inside the hole, then had the car running while spraying carb cleaner into it and had someone keep the rpms up. but as i come to find out today cleaning it doesnt do much because mines acting up again it wouldnt idle soo i think ima throw down the 250 on ebay n get a brand new one.

[Huffer]

Buy a new gasket from the dealer, and just clean it carefully. Make sure your electrical connections are clean and snug.