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DonCordier

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About DonCordier

  • Birthday 11/15/1945

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  • Website URL
    http://home.earthlink.net/~doncordier/

Profile Information

  • Location
    Simi Valley
  • Interests
    Aviation, Cycling (mostly road), Triathlons, Rowing (kayak, canoe and shell), Martial Arts and Gymnastics.
  • Occupation
    Instructor Pilot & Aviation Consultant.
  • Biography
    I am an Aviation Business Operator, Consultant and Instructor Pilot. In my primary business, Don Cordier Aviation, we provide insurance qualification and training (initial and re-current annual training certification) for pilots of select makes and
  • Vehicles
    83 BRAT 91 Legacy 01 Outb

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  1. Howdy, What year is your Legacy L FWD? I have owned a 1991 Legacy L (since new) and can check during the daylight as it is now 21:21 here in California and it is one of the vehicles that I do not have in the garage. Please let me know. Regards, Don Cordier
  2. To Both "naru" and "Gloyale", Thanks for your input. Both suggestions are interesting and will be very helpful tomorrow when I resume my troubleshooting exercise. BTW - Does anyone know of a good Subaru shop in the Simi Valley/West San Fernando Valley area? I may have to resort to the "Paramedics"! Have a great weekend... Best wishes, Don Cordier Simi Valley, California USA TEL: 818-400-2848
  3. Hi Rick, I wanted to attach an image of the ICU (aka the "ICM" - Ignition control Module - as most parts stores use this designation for the descriptive term) but I do not see any way to accomplish the attachment??? Regarding the ignition relay - no, I completely forgot to check this ignition relay (did not put on my checklist!!!) but will do that this weekend. Regarding fuel pump operation - I am not certain that the fuel pump is operating when the engine is cranked (I thought it was but...). I will get an assistant and re-check this point too when I re-test everything this weekend. I am going back to the drawing board and re-checking every circuit, connection, relay, etc. this weekend. Sometimes these problems can be downright frustrating. Again, thanks for your follow-up, research and suggestions. Best wishes, Don Cordier Simi Valley, California USA TEL: 818-400-2848
  4. Hi Rick, Yes, it is apparent that you know a lot about this vintage Subaru option; Turbocharged, 3-speed automatic, air-conditioned, MPFI (requiring the FI machined bosses in the heads), hydraulic lifters and lowered compression pistons were the only way this package was offered. No, I still have the non-water cooled turbo (original). Sheeeeeesh! It only has 205,000 miles on the motor. Goes to illustrate what oil, oil filter and air filter servicing on a "too frequent" basis will do for the motor. The real key though is to never overheat the engine! While it has not happened on my BRAT, my '91 Legacy L had a radiator failure (once) on the freeway about five miles from my home. As soon as the temperature began to rise rapidly, I pulled over and shut it down. I called for a flat bed even though it was slightly less than five miles to home. A person can easily be tempted to "nurse" it home but... I pay for the best AAA Road Service as-well-as have a breakdown reimbursement on my auto insurance. It is not worth pushing things as it will always cost a lot more in the long run. BTW - My Legacy L has been with me since new. It is a FWD only (kinda' unusual) but the tradeoff is it is somewhat lighter than the 4wd or AWD versions of this same model. Thus it gets somewhat better mileage. I have driven it to Coeur d'Alene twice (at speeds I will not admit herein!!!) on US 395/US95 and averaged 33 mpg on both round-trips. The "best" I can do in the '01 Outback Limited is about 27mpg. I worked on the BRAT today but still have not been able to solve the "no start" problem. I am curious what you may think about the Ignition Control Unit? I am not familiar with any test for this item except for installing a known operable unit. The problem is that I have not been able to locate a replacement unit to purchase. The reason is that there was a special Hitachi Distributor and ICU plus an ECM and harness compatibalilty issue on cars originally sold in California (it has 4-wires on the ICU) and all of the ICUs or Modules that I have located are 2-wire ONLY and specifically NOT offered installation in California vehicles. Beides the California requirement, I do not know if a 2-wire unit would work anyway? Gotta' go for now. Thanks again for your comments. Best wishes, Don Cordier Simi Valley, California USA TEL: 818-400-2848
  5. Hi "GD" You are correct! 1983/1984 was one of those "transitional periods" for Subaru. My 1983 was manufactured in April of 1983 which is right near the end of the production run for the year (usually August of previous calendar year through about the end of May or early June of the current calendar/model year. The production sequence number is "02996" (VIN JF2AT55B9DF502996). Mine has the conventional valved (not an OHC) 1.8 engine with factory turbocharging, MP Fuel Injection, automatic transmission with Single Range 4WD, air-conditioning, power steering, etc. (lots of options). Also, you are a good observer as it too has the "honeycomb" grille!!! Regarding your questions, it cranks exceptionally well but it does not have "spark" or any signal to the four separate fuel injectors. I did test the fuel pump (separately) and it works well. The fuel pressure is right in the book range too. I did open and re-close all of the connectors beneath the instrument panel. There was no signs of corrosion nor any indication of overheating at any of the connectors (like my '91 Legacy heater relay!!!). I have done all "known" tests of the ignition system including the coil primary and secondary circuit tests. Also, used a noid light on all four fuel injector connections and no current or pulsing was observed at any of the four units. The starter solenoid wires are clean and tight and I tested the continuity of all harness wires that I could access. One problem may be the distributor Pick-Up CU that is within the distributor. I did not have any information available to test the Pick-Up Coil and Control Unit. Do you happen to have any knowledge or suggestions as to "how" to test this part? FYI - The only reference material that I have for the BRAT is the Haynes Manual for the 1980 thru 1989 Subaru 1600 and 1800 vehicles. This book also includes the supplement for revisions and special items for the 1984 and later models. BTW - I went to a local parts store that has access to lots of older Subaru items but the only distributor control unit that they can get is a “two-wire” unit. The one in my BRAT is a “four-wire” unit??? Hmmm...??? FYI - My car has not ever had any electrical problems. It has absolutely no corrosion within any harness connector or ground in the electrical harness and has not accidentally suffered from any electrical shorting to the best of my knowledge. This evidence will speak well for having been sold new in West Los Angeles and either kept there or in Simi Valley for its entire life. Even though I totally agree with you that I do not want it to be a ECM, I am at the point that it appears to be the only possibility - other than the Distributor Control Unit. If you have any additional ideas as to other items to check I will certainly welcome your added suggestions. Best wishes, Don Cordier Simi Valley, California USA TEL: 818-400-2848
  6. Hi "McDave", Thank you for the good information. I have a local NAPA store (with a bunch of "old timers") here in Simi Valley. They always seem to be able to assist in solving problems but I forget to go to their place as it is much further away than some of the pats stores that I often use. I will check with them for the ECU plus some information on the Control Unit that is within the distributor. I do not have any information as to "how" to test this particular item. If you happen to come up with some other thoughts or suggestions, I will certainly welcome your input and efforts. Best wishes, Don Cordier Simi Valley, California USA TEL: 818-400-2848
  7. Howdy, I am seeking advice or suggestions regarding a possible ECM problem that I may be having with my BRAT. I have a 1983. It was manufactured very late in the year of 1983. Its VIN is: JF2AT55B9DF502996. This vehicle is equipped with the original factory 1.8 Liter, Turbocharged and Fuel Injected (MPFI) engine and was originally sold in Los Angeles. Thus it has all of the original California Emissions Equipment and the original automatic transmission too. Even though it was manufactured late in 1983, it is equipped as if it were a 1984 model year. I believe the ECM is giving me problems as it began to be intermittent on starting and recently will not start at all. I have tested all of the related components and it appears that the "trouble" may be in the ECM. The Part Number of the ECM is 42089 7320. My initial question is - is it possible to have this unit tested? If not possible to test, does anyone have any recommendations regarding purchasing a replacement ECM? Better yet, does anyone in this forum have a unit that they are willing to sell? If so, please e-mail or call me direct. BTW - All fusable links, fuses and connections are good too. Also, there is no corrosion at any connector/connection throughout the wiring harness. Thank you in advance for the courtesy of your reply. Don Cordier Simi Valley, California USA TEL: 818-400-2848
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