Gene

1988 Justy article. I still have this exact car that I bought new in 1988. Still runs as good as the day I bought it.

Thanks much Skip. I'll look into that.

Thanks for the tip Gloyale. There is no click, nothing. It was starting but every 3rd or 4th try, it would do nothing. No click, nothing. I would do the old smack the starter trick and then it would start. Now that doesn't work and it does nothing when the key is turned. When this all started, sometimes the starter would turn slowly, like the battery was drained. The battery is fine as it's almost new and checks out fine. Other times it would start fine until now where I get no click or anything. Just in case, I tried jumping it but no dice.

I have a 1988 Justy. The starter just went out. Will another Subaru model fit? Also, any recommendations on where to get a starter for a reasonable price? I live very rural and there are no junk yards around.

No offense taken at all daeron. This has been a real struggle trying to find out what and where a distributor ignition module is? Check the archives here and folks talk about it like it's something that even a novice knows about. I even noticed in old threads here where some folks have corrected others saying a "pickup coil" is NOT a distributor ignition module! I hope I'm not coming off as a hard nose but this sure is frustrating. The Soob parts dealers I checked with didn't know exactly what a distributor ignition module was either but did say people must mean the pickup coil in the distributor, like GD said. I even had a "mechanic" here e-mail and tell me my problem was the distributor ignition module as he had a 1988 Justy and replaced his and it cured his problem. When I e-mailed him back about where exactly could I find the distributor ignition module, he never asnswered back. I appreciate all the advice I've received here but sometimes it seems, (like the old addage); "don't believe anything you read and only half of what you see." I'm still not positive what a distributor, (or "dizzy"), ignition module is!

Okay and thanks GD. I received responses from people saying to replace the "distributor ignition module". I've just been trying all this time to find out exactly what a distributor ignition module is. The shop manual doesn't list it and I have received all kinds of different answers. It just seemed like everyone here knew what a distributor ignition module was but not the two Subaru dealers I checked with and again, not mentioned anywhere in the shop manual.

Thanks for all your replies but a lot of folks said to replace the ign. module in the distributor, not the complete distributor. Here's an exploded view of a 1988 Justy distributor and what would you folks consider the ign. module? Also, the small box under the dash has "IGN. CONT" marked on it and the manual lists it as the "Ign. Timing Unit". Sorry for all the questions but I'm just trying to get clear what a distributor ignition module actually is?

I was just wondering why almost everyone recommended, (even most early Justy owners), that the ignition module is in the distributor. Thanks to RONAN I finally found out that it is under the dash and not in the distributor. I found out that in other early Subs, (NOT Justys!), that it is in the distributor but they are the original Sub motors and the Justy is a whole different engine breed altogether. Not trying to slam anyone but but it's strange that even Justy owners said it was in the distributor when it really is not. My 1988 is the first generation of Justys, (1987-88), and maybe they went back to putting it in the distributor from 1989 and beyond but again, the ignition module in 1987-88 Justys is under the dash. Just wanted folks to know and save them some time.

Thanks RONAN. Man, I hope so too. This problem has been a ***************. If replacing this doesn't correct it, the car is haunted.

Checked it out RONAN and there is a small metal box about 3"X3" and it says; "SUBARU IGNITION CONT" on it with some part numbers. It's right where you said and mounted on the side wall with two screws. The larger ECU is just to the right of it and mounted on the front firewall. There's a connector with a loom pugged into it that seems to go to the distributor, coil, and ignition switch. Could this actually be the elusive "distributor ignition module" everyone talks about? I've had this dying problem with my Justy where it just dies instantly at any speed with no warning whatsoever. I posted about this here several times and people said to replace the distributor ignition module. I could never find it and some folks said it was in the distributor but I guarantee you it's not, at least not in a 1988 Justy.

It is the first generation, (1987-88), carb model. I don't think the complete distributor has to be changed, but? Like I say, the exploded view of the distributor, showing all parts, shows nothing concerning an ignition module. RONAN, I think that's the ECU, (engine control unit), you're talking about.

Can anyone please tell me exactly WHERE to find the ignition module in a 1988 4WD Justy? I've been told it's in the distributor, (dist. or "dizzy" ign. module). I have an original 1988 Justy Factory Shop Manual, (the big, fat one), and nowhere does it even list or mention an ignition module or distributor ignition module. It even has the exploded view of the distributor and no ignition module is shown or is any ignition module shown in any diagram. I want to try replacing it as I'm still having the mystifying dying problems. Any help would be really appreciated.

I've been super busy lately but guess what? There is NO ignition module in my 1988 Justy's distributor! Subaru must have gone to a different system in 1989. They did change a buch of stuff when they upgraded the 1989 model as the 1987-1988 models are exactly the same. So I'm out of luck there. I called several dealers and they said there is no dist. ignition module in the 1988 model and the 1988 shop manual doesn't show one either. One nice tech at one dealer took the time and said to check the wires coming out of the dist. that connect to the main wiring harness. He said he has repaired a couple with the same problem and that connection was loose or corroded and that cured it. I don't have time now but will check that soon and I hope that's the case.

Can one of you please tell me exactly where to find the distributor ignition module? I'm sending back the radiator auto fan switch that the dealer sent in error and they're sending out the distributor ignition module. I checked the FSM and I can't find seem to find it's location. Thanks.

bush, Thanks for the tips. Like all things too common nowadays, the dealer sent me the wrong part! I ordered a engine temp sensor for the ECU and they sent me an electric fan control sensor! With all due respect to nipper, I don't think this problem is the ETS for the ECU anyway. I'm going to try what Quidam suggested and try the ignition module. That sounds like a good place to start. If only I can get the dealer to send the right part!

RONAN, That's a good thought. I may change out as much vacuum hose as I can get to. I know that a leaking vacuum hose can play havoc to an engine. The plug wires don't seem to be coming near the hot air pickup pipe and they are new and I criss-crossed them when I installed them to prevent any shorting. I can't remember this happening after flooring it but I can tell you, it will die whether you're flooring it or going a steady 20, 40, or 70 mph. It's an equal opportunity problem. It'll die at any speed, in any gear, downshifting, upshifting, cold, warm, going uphill, downhill, anything you can think of. When it dies, there's no missing or cutting out or any warning, it just flat stops. It'll idle and run perfect, (I swear this car runs strong from idle to 90 mph!), for 1 mile or 100 miles but you never know when it will die. It's a damn bafflling problem! I did change the fuel filter and I do hear that click after 1 or 2 miles after taking off when cold. I always wondered what that was! Like I said though, sometimes I hear it just before it quits. Could it be a clue? Turbo Brat, Thanks but I did check that and I replaced the coil and the wire and plug to the coil. I made sure it was getting good contact. I really appreciate all your help guys and believe me, I've taken good care of this car since I bought it new in 1988. Other than the initial servicing, I've done all my own service including valve adjustments. I'm not a mechanic but I know a little about cars. I know nipper has told me to get to know cars and that these Justy's are simple. Well, that may be but this problem isn't simple! We all learn by problems that arise and besides, my wife is itching for me to get rid of this car because I can't solve this problem. I'm bound and determined to solve this problem because I love this little car. Like I said, I live very rural and this little car has taken me through many, many white out snowstorms, through icy roads and you name the conditions. I'm DETERMINED to find out what the solution is to this problem! I'm not rich and I can't spend a ton of money on this but I PROMISE, I'll continue on and if one of you guys had the solution to this problem, I'll send that guy a bottle of his favorite whiskey or rum or whatever or a dinner for two! I mean it!

Thanks much. The temp sensor is coming, so I'll try that first. If that doesn't work, I'll try the ignition module. If that doesn't work, I'll drive it off a cliff!

Yes, it's the factory service manual. The car just instantly dies. No sputtering, no cutting out, no warning, nothing. It'll be running along just fine and bam! It stops dead in it's tracks. So you don't think the engine temp sensor for the ECU will help? Quidam, I'll try anything at this point. Thanks.

Thanks much for all the replies. I was told awhile back that it could be the ignition module but like nipper said, why would it run 100 miles one time with no problems and the next time die in a mile or two? I've tried the shake the wires thing penguin and I've checked every connector that I could find. nipper, I guess it is a simple car and I do have the original 1988 Subaru shop manual. I've tried all the tests it showed to do if the car dies. It's a fairly technical manual though. Believe me, compared to my old 1978 Subaru wagon it isn't simple. I guess I'm just a shade tree mechanic but I could fix darn near anything in the old '78 being that it was just a water cooled VW engine. This is also one of those frustrating problems as it only happens when it wants to. Also nipper, do you still think the engine temp sensor for the ECU could be the problem? I have one coming and it's too late to stop it as the Subaru dealer that's a couple hours away shipped it to me yesterday? I'll try the fuel test. Thanks.

nipper, Please don't hurt me! Like I stated above, sometimes it will take 30 seconds to restart and sometimes up to several minutes. What would a fuel pump relay cost?

Hi nipper, The 1988 Justy has a carb but it is electronically controlled. Your solution regarding the engine temp sensor seemed sound to me. I called the nearest Subaru dealer that I said was 2 hours away and they had one in stock. I went ahead and ordered it and they are going to mail it to me. It was $65.00. I'm so tired of a car that runs perfect but sometimes won't run at all that I'll try anything! I hope this solves the problem but if not, I want to thank you for trying to help me.

nipper, Thanks for the reply. Can you explain to me in in somewhat detail what an engine temperature sensor for an ECU is and where I would locate it on my engine? I'll try it for sure. Thanks again. Oh yeah, I wanted to say that the only trouble besides this problem I've ever had with the Justy was that it started seriously overheating about 5 years ago. I pulled the radiator and had it pressure tested and looked at and it was fine. After reinstalling the radiator, I then idled the car until it started getting hot and noticed that the radiator fan was not coming on. I ran a wire from the battery to the fan and the fan came on and the car cooled down. I then replaced the radiator fan controller switch that screwed into the manifold and problem solved. I don't know if this has anything to do with the temp sensor for the ECU but MAYBE!

I have a 1988 5 speed, 4WD Justy that I bought new. It has a little over 100,000 miles on it. It's in great shape and I've taken meticulous care of it, changing oil and filter every 3,000 miles and other regular service. It still runs like new WHEN IT WILL RUN! It may run for 100 miles or 1 mile and then suddenly, it'll just die. You never know when it will do it. It doesn't seem to be an electrical problem because when it quits, the electrics are still on. There's no warning before it dies, it just suddenly goes dead! It can happen at 70 mph or 5 mph. Whether it's cold or when it's hot. It runs strong with no missing, idles fine and no hesitation. It'll just suddenly die and you never know when. It'll start back up after it dies but it may take 30 seconds or 5 minutes to restart. Of course after it starts, you never know when it will quit again. I've changed the coil, plugs, plug wires, rotor, distributor cap, fuel filter, everything I can think of. The valves are properly adjusted, (I do them myself), and everything seems in order. I do sometimes hear a "click" under the dash somewhere like a relay opening or closing just before it dies. I live very rural and there isn't any decent mechanics around here. Awhile back I did take it to a guy who was supposed to be good and he had it for 2 weeks and couldn't get it to die. It ran perfect for him. I know this is one of the worst problems as it's hard to diagnose a problem if it only happens once in awhile. The closest Subaru dealer is about 2 hours away from me and I don't know if they're any good or not. I would hate to take it there and at $70.00-$80.00 an hour have them spend hours on it and then tell me there's nothing they can find wrong. I also would hate for them to replace a bunch of expensive parts and the problem would resurface. You know how dealers can be nowadays. Like all of us, I'm not made of money and live on a limited budget. I did call them once to ask if they had any ideas for me and all they would tell me was to just bring it in. So if any of you knowledgeable folks out there might have any ideas for me as to what may be the problem, I would be forever grateful!

Thanks for the advice. I'm still trying to sort it out with no luck. Yes indeed there's nothing worse than intermittent problems! Like I say, I live in a very rural area and the closest Subaru dealer is very far away. I don't want to drive all that way and be at their mercy! I also don't trust them because with intermittent problems, they can charge a fortune for stuff and not even solve the problem.

Still no luck!:cornfuzz: