nickbalcombe99

Hi guys - computer code def points to idle control motor. I have been quoted $600?!!? to get it fixed. Hoping you might be able to shed some light on whether this is ridiculous or not. Car goes in next Wednesday! Cheers, Nick

Hi guys, $100 later and it came back with an idle control motor fault (and other other downstream issue). What I overlooked mentioning last post was that the car was wavering in revs when just started and was occasionally stalling because the idle motor wasn't doing its job. They 'cleaned it up' and the car is running MUCH more smoothly now... however, last night, the engine light came back on! Mechanic said if it happened again, replacement is necessary. My question to you guys is - can I do it myself? Or how much labour is involved cos if it's cheap I'll just let them do it. Cheers, Nick

Mike - thanks mate, you're right, I'm gonna need the code. I'll sort it out and come back with it to see if you've got some advice Thanks heaps, Nick

G'day guys, Long time no post, hope all is well in the world of your subie I have had a Forester X for about 18 months. 140k's, reg serviced, runs well as far as I can tell. Every now and then the engine light comes on (it has happened well over 20 times), doesn't flash, just stays on for a day or two then goes off again. It happens more regularly after visiting my girlfriend's place which is a steep uphill trip and then down hill coming back (heavier driving). I haven't taken it to a mechanic to get the codes checked yet. I am planning on selling it and don't want a potential buyer to have to worry about it. Any ideas about common causes and simple fixes? Thanks heaps, Nick

Yeah I imagine a new battery is in order regardless... I'll get some photos of the poor bloody car to show you how badly my mongrel brother treated it, and also to show you improvements in coming months

Could it be that simple? Am I to be checking the fuses under the hood, the ones under the dash, or both? I spose it's worth having a good look through all of them... Thanks, I'll do this tonight. Nick

OK - update. I put the battery in and found out the following - no noise from fuel pump when in the on position (although I can't remember it ever making a noise?) - distibutor rotor IS turning when I crank it... - battery is farked, lasted about 20 seconds of work before dying. What next then?! Ta, Nick

How do I find out if it's the timing belts for sure? Where can I find instructions on replacing them etc?

Thanks guys. The battery is on the charge as we speak - I'll see what happens tomorrow but as far as I am aware it turns over but no spark when a plug is pulled from the block. How does a timing belt affect the spark? Thanks, Nick

Further to above, I pulled the distributor cap off and there is white residue settled on the contacts in the lid, leading to the leads....

Hi all, Long time no post! The past five years my younger brother has been using my '92 GL (Loyale) wagon and has pretty much ruined it completely. Body is trashed, multiple crashes, interior a mess. The time has come to clean it up and get it running (!!) again. I am told that when the battery had charge, it was turning over but no sparks we being generated. That's all I have for you now - not a car genius but willing to learn - coil / distributor issue? If so how easy are they to test / replace and what will I need? Thanks, looking forward to some Subie revival! Nick

Thanks Guys, I'll have a closer look this weekend. It isn't a pleasant noise, I think ur right about not driving it. Let's hope it's just a loose axel nut! Cheers, Nick

Hi Guys, Long time no post, sadly I have given the Subaru to my little brother who is currently looking to mod the hell out of it, like his brother before him and ....etc etc... Anyway we took it for a drive, next thing you know we hear this consistent noise coming from rear left wheel arch - changes with speed and when you go really slow it is actually three - six separate 'click's as though metal is grindingn on metal. It got a hell of a lot worse very quickly, and only does it when there is pressure on this side - i.e. turning right. There is no sound while turning left and no sound while rotating the wheel on a jack. I assume it's a driveshaft / CV issue - any ideas on how to narrow that down? Thanks, Nick

Hmmm...not sure whether I wanna spend the money, so might switch the back ones with the front ones, and hope whoever buys it doesn't clue on!! WD-40 sounds a little suspect...might do some more research...I think it has more to do with the springs wearing out?? Thanks anyway guys, Nick

Hi All, The seatbelts in the front of my soob are starting to die - they require some manual handling to feed them back into the wall! Can this be repaired by taking them out and recoiling them or something along those lines? Thanks, Nick