Back to Scenarios, main page…
*****
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
The SVX died while idling. then this happened. Mike says that it died while driving into a parking lot, turning the steering wheel. Then again while leaving the same parking lot, turning the steering wheel. So, he is looking into the steering and wiring, knowing that a wire is getting too hot.
This is a similar description to when the Ignition-solenoid wiring was replaced. That did not fix that “dying while driving problem” but we think it fixed the problem when it would not restart after multiple quick ignition off and on – running errands and it would not restart for 43 minutes, suggesting a wire was needing to cool off.
The mouse nest update is that it is not causing damage right now.
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
We called and talked to Will at Chilly’s Auto Repair. We tried to set up a way to pick up the car in such a way that did not inconvenience whoever had been driving it home each night. After all, if the SVX was not going to duplicate the problem for them, then we needed to get it home. Maybe it was miraculously cured. Buth, then…
He said the SVX died for Rick today while it was idling. Then he drove it, and it died twice more. Will used the word “stall” each time.
It was in the bay because Rick had been checking under the engine trying to trace the electrical and found a mouse nest. Part of the wiring had been compromised. Will witnessed Rick pulling nest material out of the engine compartment. They are thinking that it would more likely be affecting the oil pump but we shall see.
We agreed to call the next day at 9:00 AM to learn more.
Our hope is that this is the reason for our problem, and not just a new problem.
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Chris at Chilly’s Auto Repair, Tangent, Oregon has confirmed today that since we dropped it off on Thursday, September 25, this SVX has not died while driving. This is amazing since it was dying for us frequently in late September.
After sharing that it never died at highway or country highway speeds, he concluded to drive it in Downtown Corvallis, Oregon for some slower drive-testing.
Do we just leave it with them until it dies? Indefinitely?
Chris confirmed that if it would die on them, then it would be easier to pinpoint the problem.
*****
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Created this page.
*****
We were reviewing our Timeline notes and in January of 2022, Corvallis Subaru “bypassed” the solenoid. Remembering back, this was because it was not working and bypassing it was less expensive. We don’t remember understanding he consequences of this.
Is this why the motor turns off while driving? This used to happen only about 4 times since last Christmas Eve (2024) but in September 2025 it has happened four times.
We learned to stick it in neutral, turn the key, and keep going, not even pulling over. Dangerous if this were to happen at highway speeds. Fortunately, it has only done it while going 5 to 20 miles per hour.
Is this bypassed solenoid the reason? With all the repairs did this “Bypassing” get bumped and thus is undone and that is why it dies while driving?
Did this get undone when the front end slammed onto the asphalt just out of a geometrically challenged parking lot, which killed the computer brain and then the wrong thing was repaired before the computer brain as correctly diagnosed. Who knows.
We do know that if we pay the $170 to capitol Subaru in Salmen, Oregon, they will find any problem. So far, they have been able to find every problem except maybe the real reason for the trunk leak, which was scoped out by Possum Automotive, Albany, Oregon.
1994 Subaru SVX; image, by SVX Eruption, Albany, Oregon, 2025.