Why would my car die and take a long time before starting again?

Hi, this is Bo, an auto expert on RepairPal's Car Genius team! The issue you're describing with your 2003 Subaru Outback sounds like a **fuel delivery problem** or a potential **ignition system issue**. Since the car starts and runs fine initially but then dies, it could be related to the fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator, or even an electrical component like the **crankshaft position sensor**. When the vehicle dies and won’t start for a while, the fuel system or sensor may be overheating or failing intermittently, leading to loss of spark or fuel pressure. The fact that disconnecting the battery temporarily "resets" things points to a possible **electrical issue** or sensor malfunction. If you’ve replaced the fuel filter and spark plugs, checking the **fuel pump** and **relay** as well as running diagnostics on any engine codes would be a good next step. If you need any further advice or want help finding a trusted RepairPal shop in your area, please feel free to call us at 877-913-1554.