Can't figure out this car's issue.
Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 12:21 am
I've had a 1994 Subaru Legacy (FWD - 5spd) for a few years, and just sold it to a buddy.
I told him everything i've fixed on it since i've owned it and how i fixed it. (and that if it does break i'm not buying parts, but will help him fix it)
Guess what? He'shad it a week, and it won't start.
Going off the basics, fuel, air, spark, compression.
I noticed it had been throwing a 44 shortly before stopping, except it's not a turbo...
In the past i'ts thrown a 52 (parking switch sensor) after i worked on teh clutch.
I seem to recall having seen one for Idle Air Control Valve and Mass Air Flow Sensor st some point.
Current issues: turns over fine, but won't start. After cranking smoke was backing out of the air intake. (wasn't great light, so couldn't discern actual color) We figured the smoke (thought ti might be blow-by) fouled some sensors.
The PCV vas fouled and we replaced it.
Changed the spark plugs on principle (they weren't in bad shape, but there was a spare set in the glove box)
Replaced the air filter, the old one was brown (not white) and smelled of oil.
Next we used a spark tester (the one with the adjustable gap) to text for spark.
It was intermittent at best. At this time we only got one line to show spark.
We pulled the Ignition Coil and the Ignitor and went to O-Reileys to have them tested.
They determined that the Ignitor was bad, and they were the only place in town that could get one.
Soaked the IACV overnight to clean it out.
Got the Ignitor in teh morning, i asked them to test it and the new one came up bad.
I had to give it a try anyway.
New Ignitor, still no start.
Cleaned the MAF.
Checked the resistances on the Ignition Coil, they were close to spec. (Diamond F569-12v) Secondary was 20.9k ohm. and secondary was 0.9 ohm, (the digital multimeter 'zeroed' at 0.2) the computer technician i borrowed it from said that that won't affect the reading unless it's less than the 'zero' amount. The primary is a little high, it's supposed to be 0.69 +-10% (0.62-0.76).
Today it's been sparking better (new or old ignitor, didn't matter).
There is no smoke coming from the air intake, though it does smell of gasoline a bit.
I feel that i have ruled ot spark as a problem, so i'm now down to fuel, air, compression.
I'd assume it's getting air, because the valve opens when you press the pedal.
Since i smell fuel, i assume i'm getting it. though it may not be enough.
I haven't changed the fuel filter since i owned it (almost 3 years)
That would leave compression. which i really really hope is fine.
Getting a compression tester later tongiht, maybe a fuel filter too.
I'd really appreciate it if anyone else think of anything?
EDIT: Noticed that when the key is in the on position the fan and ruel pump are constantly cycling. checking the realy as soon as i figur eout which one it is.
I told him everything i've fixed on it since i've owned it and how i fixed it. (and that if it does break i'm not buying parts, but will help him fix it)
Guess what? He'shad it a week, and it won't start.
Going off the basics, fuel, air, spark, compression.
I noticed it had been throwing a 44 shortly before stopping, except it's not a turbo...
In the past i'ts thrown a 52 (parking switch sensor) after i worked on teh clutch.
I seem to recall having seen one for Idle Air Control Valve and Mass Air Flow Sensor st some point.
Current issues: turns over fine, but won't start. After cranking smoke was backing out of the air intake. (wasn't great light, so couldn't discern actual color) We figured the smoke (thought ti might be blow-by) fouled some sensors.
The PCV vas fouled and we replaced it.
Changed the spark plugs on principle (they weren't in bad shape, but there was a spare set in the glove box)
Replaced the air filter, the old one was brown (not white) and smelled of oil.
Next we used a spark tester (the one with the adjustable gap) to text for spark.
It was intermittent at best. At this time we only got one line to show spark.
We pulled the Ignition Coil and the Ignitor and went to O-Reileys to have them tested.
They determined that the Ignitor was bad, and they were the only place in town that could get one.
Soaked the IACV overnight to clean it out.
Got the Ignitor in teh morning, i asked them to test it and the new one came up bad.
I had to give it a try anyway.
New Ignitor, still no start.
Cleaned the MAF.
Checked the resistances on the Ignition Coil, they were close to spec. (Diamond F569-12v) Secondary was 20.9k ohm. and secondary was 0.9 ohm, (the digital multimeter 'zeroed' at 0.2) the computer technician i borrowed it from said that that won't affect the reading unless it's less than the 'zero' amount. The primary is a little high, it's supposed to be 0.69 +-10% (0.62-0.76).
Today it's been sparking better (new or old ignitor, didn't matter).
There is no smoke coming from the air intake, though it does smell of gasoline a bit.
I feel that i have ruled ot spark as a problem, so i'm now down to fuel, air, compression.
I'd assume it's getting air, because the valve opens when you press the pedal.
Since i smell fuel, i assume i'm getting it. though it may not be enough.
I haven't changed the fuel filter since i owned it (almost 3 years)
That would leave compression. which i really really hope is fine.
Getting a compression tester later tongiht, maybe a fuel filter too.
I'd really appreciate it if anyone else think of anything?
EDIT: Noticed that when the key is in the on position the fan and ruel pump are constantly cycling. checking the realy as soon as i figur eout which one it is.