LaMamelle

It's Alive! After replacing the ignition switch, there is life! The engine cranks and even sputters with starter fluid! Digi-dash is also working thankfully, and seems to be reporting all the correct stuff. Turns out the ECU wasn't the issue, or at least it doesn't seem like it at the moment. I will be replacing all the relays for sure, since the blinkers are still a little funky (as in not working at all), and I can't hear the fuel pump come on. I'm sure since it's been sitting for a bit that doesn't help things. I did drain and flush the tank, so the next step is a real start! I was able to find a copy of the 88-service manual online, which I wish I had read before because it clearly states that all the dash stuff goes through the ignition module. I will see if I can find a copy on ebay or something.

Thanks for the tip, I'll take out the dash and check it out. Something I should probably do anyways; I don't put a lot of faith in 80s circuitry. And I think that confirms for me that the issue is the ignition switch. I'll replace it and update on my success for failure.

Update: There didn't seem to be any voltage at the ignition switch, so I switched it out with the one on my 89 XT, and I now have radio! But no still no dash lights :(. But this does seem to lead me down the path that the issue may lie elsewhere, and not at the ECU. If anyone knows to what extent the dash would communicate with the ECU (or the MPFI Controller as the manual calls it), lemme know. But I'll keep digging. I hope that one day I will see that magnificent digi-dash.

Just a quick update to this: I have gotten hazards to come back to life just by flipping the twitch about a million times, slowly beginning to wonder if the issue lies somewhere other than the ECU. The 1988 manual says that most body electronics go through the fusible links and ignition. I've double checked the links and they are all clean and they don't seem to be damaged in any way. So I'll try to diagnose the ignition switch next.

Howdy! I just got my hands on a new (to me, not to the world) 1986 XT Turbo, that's been sitting in the previous owner's driveway since at least 2009. It has less than 100k miles, no accident history, and very little rust, or at least, not enough rust to make any holes. The reason it was sitting was because the ECU was fried. To what extent I do not know, all I know that he plugged in a wire and then realized it shouldn't be there, and there was no power. It looks like there is a fair bit of custom wiring that I am still in the process of investigating. I was able to get my hands on a replacement ECU, and I'm just waiting for it to arrive. However, there are some things that make me wonder if the issue could be deeper. There are some electrical systems work, but others that don't that I would expect to work. For example, brake lights and highlights work, but not the hazards, or turn signals. And I expected the radio and digi-dash to at least come up with light, but there's nothing. Looking at some wiring diagrams I think (If I'm reading it right) some of these systems should work without the ECU, but I could be wrong? I already plan to replace all the relays I can reach, and check every fuse, I assume that's a good place to start. Does anyone have any suggestions for where I should look out for? Thanks in advance!

I was just looking at this old rally photo of the Subaru WRC team (I assume in the mid 90s?) and I just noticed that the cars in the back of the photo are Leones/Loyales and not Legacys! I thought it was surprising since all the photos i see from this time are the early Legacys. Does anyone have any or know of any other photos of these 555 Leones. I honestly think it wouldn't look too bad, although I prefer the white blue and gold on the rally Leones.

Looks like my replacement worked just fine, been driving it around for a couple of days with no issues. Not exactly sure what it could have been. I'll just have to keep checking it periodically for any signs of wear.

Thanks for the advice, I'll be heading over to the shop tomorrow to drop off the replacement and I'll see if I can get a look at it or see if they've already done that themselves. When I have more info I'll update, hopefully with good news.

Howdy all, I have my 88 GL in the shop getting its engine resealed. I got an update from them an apparently the distributor rotor had melted in the distributor, or potentially tore it somehow? It wasn't melted/torn at the head, but at the base of the rotor head. Luckily it turns out I have an extra, however would anyone know why something like this would have happened? It was an older part, and I don't when it was last replaced, so it could be that it was just on the way out anyways. I hadn't had any issues with anything ignition or engine electrical before. I'm a bit worried that they're going to put the replacement in and the same thing might happen, it not immediately, maybe a few 100 miles down the freeway. Attached are some photos of the damage the shop sent to me. Any wisdom would be appreciated. Thank you! -Philly

First post! Here are some pics of my 88' GL. I call her Constance. I have just about a million photos of her, but these are some of my favorites. Everything is stock except the exhaust which custom made by the last owner, nothing loud just not stock. Not exactly sure why it was done but it's not an issue, so I don't mind. Also, the rims were painted black which I'm a huge fan of. -Philly