Need some guidance on where to start with the issues listed below for "Brownie," my 1990 Legacy Wagon.  She runs like a top, 256K miles, but is starting to have a series of cascading interior issues I need some advice on.

 

• Radio.  Works intermittantly.  Goes out if you go over a bump, if it happens to be working at that moment.  Most of the time sound is VERY faint, despite the volume.  Speakers work intermittantly as well.  
• Heater/fan/blower.  Same thing - intermittant at best.  Doesn't work about 98% of the time, but sometimes she'll surprise you.

Re: radio, would it make sense to just fork out the cash to just get a whole new system, or might this be an easy fix?

 

I use Brownie as my daily driver to and from work (6 miles each way), & I miss listening to the radio, and with winter coming, I miss the heat as well.  Brownie is my work horse, while Ruby, my 2003 Legacy Wagon, rests at home. 

 

I'm a 53-year old gal, who likes to do some of the work myself, but I also know my limits!   

 

Thanks.

 

PixieHall

 

P.S.  Can't figure out how to edit title - should be "Radio" and not "Raxdio." 

Edited October 16, 201411 yr by PixieHall

Fairly sure any subaru radio from the 1990s and even into the 2000s will  be a plug and play. Double din radios swap into single din holes just by removing that tray under the single din radio. Probably also want to look at the speakers because I bet they all need replaced. 

 

As for the heater problem, lots of possible causes. I would run a hot wire to the fan motor just to see of the motor is the problem. 

 

Edit: If you decide to swap radios, the trim piece needs pulled. Pull the ash tray and look up. Should be 2 small screws. Need a really short screwdriver to remove. 

Edited October 16, 201411 yr by john in KY

Is the blower intermittent when on the highest setting?

if it is the stock radio, then yeah, it is time for a replacement. as noted above, you can go single DIN or double DIN by losing the little pocket tray underneath the stock unit - your choice.

 

for the heater controls - it is possible you have some cracked solder joints in there (fairly common issue) I had that problem with my 90 LS wagon. I got adventurous with mine, pulled the unit out, took it apart and hit the main solder joints with a hot, fine tip soldering iron. Wasnt all that difficult a job. or you can try replacing it with one from a lower mileage car - I may even have a spare laying around here somewhere if you are in need

Edited October 17, 201411 yr by heartless