I'm trying to help a friend work out a problem with his `87 GL. It was in running condition, then wouldn't start the next morning. I know Honda's have troubles with a main circut relay, do Subaru's ??? just looking for an idea where to start troubleshooting ? Thanks for any help !!!

 

Chris

Any ideas ? Is this the right part of the forum for this question ?

Any ideas ? Is this the right part of the forum for this question ?

 

Hi,

 

Yes. Put a battery charger on it. Check and clean the battery connections. Let us know what happens.

 

Doug

We need a better description of the problem. "car won't start" is vague and most of us don't care to spend valuable time speculating.

 

If that's all the better you can describe it then you best take it to a shop.

 

GD

If the motor turns over but wont start, then try spraying some starter fluid into the throttle body. if you dont have starter fluid, then carb cleaner/brake cleaner/throttle body cleaner will do. If it fires up and stalls, then you have some sort of fuel problem.

 

If it doesnt, chances are you have no spark.

 

Those are the first two things you need to check... fuel & spark.

 

 

 

 

If the car wont even turn over, then I suggest checking the battery to make sure its not dead.

The engine turns over no problem. Just doesn't lite off. My first thought was a main relay, which is a common problem with Honda's. Didn't know if Subaru's have the same set up wiring wise ?

The engine turns over no problem. Just doesn't lite off. My first thought was a main relay, which is a common problem with Honda's. Didn't know if Subaru's have the same set up wiring wise ?

 

Ok, talk to me. Is is carbureted, MPFI, MPFI Turbo, SPFI? Forget about any main relay for right now, k?

 

It's fuel, or spark. Like the man said.

 

Need more info.

 

Doug

not to jump to conclusions with a minimum of details, but, kinda sounds like the so very common broken timing belt. (thats the way i've had em go out before, sudden and without warning)

 

good luck, Bill

Check the wires going to coil., , They break or fall off after 20 years. pull a wire from the a plug, expose the metal , put a leather glove on, hold it a close to the block.

 

turn it over .

 

 

see a pretty blue sparK? if yes, electrical is ok sc

OK I will forget about the main relay. I know you need three things for an engine to run. So I will start with spark, then check fuel and timing events.

 

I should of put up more info, my bad. I rump roast-u-med/was hoping there might be a common failure area in these cars. I hoped to arm myself with this info before killing 10 gallons of fuel to try and help him out.

 

P.S. It's carbed.

Did you ever get it running?

Pop the dist cap and see if rotor turns when you try to start. If no turn broke belt. Also check rotor and see if it is loose. Screw may be out.

Check and make sure all the electrical is firmly connected, (EG: Plugs, plug wires on both distributor and plugs, battery, coil ETC...) if its loose it can prevent a start up.

try slamming the door

try slamming the door

 

OMG thats funny. Sometimes I wish it were that simple, but then again you have to wonder if slamming the door makes your car work, WTF is going on?

did that on the rx just after buying it and drove to ollies discount in berks county pa area

 

try to start, NOTHING

slam door, works

 

turned out to be loose fuse link

I will keep that in mind, if my car should suddenly stop working lol.