Parts for my SVX in the UK?

[PWA1X]

Where can I source parts (preferbly low cost!!!) for my SVX that I have just purchased. I need brake pads, exhaust gasket, and front steering gaiter. Would be a bad idea to check up on rear wheel bearing prices whilst I am it as well!

Apart from the above bits and a silly electrical fault, starting the car does not turn start motor over just clicks, then on 2nd or 3rd go happily starts! Also warning lights flash on and off like a christmas tree ocaisonally. Any ideas? The car as you can see is very nice indeed for 85000 miles.

[Andy]

Very nice car. Hope to see it in the flesh at our next meet.

Cannot help with spares. Only know of my Subaru dealer, who is very pricey and leaves a lot to be desired on service.

Let me know if you find a good mail-order source.



Andy

[Aredubjay]

PWA,
Welcome to the Network. I sorely wish we, in the States, could start a parts exchange with you fellows across the pond. Some are finding that parts ordered from www.subaruparts.com or 1stsubaruparts.com are less expensive (including cartage and customs) than what can be found there.

The warning lights flashing, in the older models, was an indication that your security system batteries were low, and it needed to be re-programmed. This feature was "upgraded" here in the states to avoid battery drain. If your remote batteries are still good, you may just try reprogramming the security system.

I too have the little "starting glitch" you've described, in my newly purchased 2nd SVX and it's beginning to show itself in my original SVX. I'm suspecting the contacts in the A/T shiftlock system. If you have the push button release above the shift leaver, you might try releasing the lock and running the selecter from P to N and back again on the first "Non Start" and see if it helps. Then, you can be almost certain of the cause.

Again, welcome. Come back soon and post often.

[Boone]

Originally posted by PWA1X
... and a silly electrical fault, starting the car does not turn start motor over just clicks, then on 2nd or 3rd go happily starts! Also warning lights flash on and off like a christmas tree occasionally. Any ideas?

Welcome also. Nice car. If you hear a clicking then I doubt it's the interlock. I would suspect the starter solenoid or cables/connections. This would also go with alternator/charging problems or worn drive belts if the warning lights you speak of are the ones above and below the gauges. Boone

[Green1995SVX]

PWA- I noticed you have the headlight washers there. Where is the buttom located to operate them? Also, could you perhaps provide a closer view of your headlights? They appear to be the glass assbys. Thanks, and welcome to the network! :)

-Mike

[PWA1X]

Thanks for the feedback! I agree that the websites you have directed me to look good - I may well order from them and ship to my father in TX who is due over here in October.

Back to my flashing lights though. I have retensioned the belts today to manufacturers specs, and completely cleaned up the battery terminals as these were not too nice! Whilst the random flashing does seemed to have improved things - it still lights up the battery, stop lamp, brake fluid & antilock red warning lights whilst driving along (usually driving around town and not on high speed roads?) and will clear as I accelerate! I know the front brakes are almost worn out and if they have wear sensors then no doubt they will be sending messages back to the cpu to illuminate warnings.

Starting is still click click click and then starter motor fires... click does sound like a solenoid - and during clicks the battery is under heavy load as dash lights dim loads!

ps how do I know if the rear wheel bearings are shot - I do have a gentle low level rumble (changes frequency with road speed).

Thanks Once again

Paul

[PWA1X]

Picture attached. Switch next to rear window defogger on dash behind wheel. I hope this helps.

Paul

[Earthworm]

As for the flashing dash lights I'd be almost willing to bet money it is the alternator. I've had the lights stay on in my car and the solution was to improve the connection of the plug to the alternator.

About 2-3 months later though the lights started flickering. I had the alternator bench tested and it tested bad. One alternator rebuild later and everything is ok now. It's been running good for almost a month now.

[Green1995SVX]

Originally posted by PWA1X
Picture attached. Switch next to rear window defogger on dash behind wheel. I hope this helps.

Paul

WOW those lights look *AMAZING*

-Mike

[Aredubjay]

Oh, THOSE lights <smacks self in forehead>, yes, I concur with David. You're likely going to need an alternator. You could try switching batteries with someone who has one the same size as yours and see if it helps. If the battery posts were as bad as you say, it could be your problem.

For some reason, when you said "flashing lights," I thought you meant parking lights. In the "early days" they were set to flash to remind you that your security system needed to be reprgrammed.

Yes, the rumble will change with speed and will get louder as the bearing deteriorates. Sounds like you have a snow tire on the offending wheel.

[Aredubjay]

Originally posted by PWA1X


Starting is still click click click and then starter motor fires... click does sound like a solenoid - and during clicks the battery is under heavy load as dash lights dim loads!



Well, BOTH my SVXes are experiencing this phenomena now. My wife called me on the way to a friend's house and told me the car wouldn't start. Before I could tell her to try releasing the shift lock and moving the gear selector to N then, to P again, someone had her jump started. This is really annoying. Having two, practically identical, cars with the same problem. :(

[Aredubjay]

Originally posted by Boone


Welcome also. Nice car. If you hear a clicking then I doubt it's the interlock. I would suspect the starter solenoid or cables/connections. This would also go with alternator/charging problems or worn drive belts if the warning lights you speak of are the ones above and below the gauges. Boone

One fellow has had this problem for a while. He had a new battery installed and had TWO starters put in. When he tried to start the car at Reading III, it sounded JUST like a starter solenoid problem, BUT, like I said, he'd already had the starter changed TWICE, and the battery replaced. As far as I know, he still has the problem.

One fellow had a like problem and it turned out to be the ignition switch. The knockoff bolts had become loose and wasn't allowing the switch to contact correctly. Tightened the switch and problem solved.

These cars, unfortunately, don't fit the usual mold.

[Boone]

Paul,
It's possible your alternator isn't giving you clean DC voltage. Best to test with a local shop. I've heard the limeys invented electricity. For the rear bearings, take a drive with the rear seat down for a better ear on it. Boone aka Dave ;)

Randy, we just heard the question differently. There is another answer to your starting mystery. The crystal ball says cables, connectors, grounds.... :p :D

[Aredubjay]

Originally posted by Boone
Paul,
It's possible your alternator isn't giving you clean DC voltage. Best to test with a local shop. I've heard the limeys invented electricity. For the rear bearings, take a drive with the rear seat down for a better ear on it. Boone aka Dave ;)

Randy, we just heard the question differently. There is another answer to your starting mystery. The crystal ball says cables, connectors, grounds.... :p :D

Yeah, I'm doing the "cables connections grounds" route. Of course, I spent yesterday cleaning up the evil twin. Which, of course, means IT'S FREAKIN' RAINING ALL DAY TODAY. Since I have no garage, I can't work on the darned problems. I REALLY don't need this right now. :mad: But, as always, thanks for being there for me, Dave. You are an Isle of reality in a sea of a fantasy filled with trouble-free SVXes. :D

[Boone]

Aw shucks Randy. No man is an isle... he's a peninsula. (where was that from?) I'm gonna take my bare feet out on this nice day and polish my trouble free SVX. :D :rolleyes: :p

[svxistentialist]

Originally posted by PWA1X
Picture attached. Switch next to rear window defogger on dash behind wheel. I hope this helps.

Paul

Hi Paul

That is a really nice looking motor, and you are very welcome to the club.

When I got my SVX in from Japan first, the dashboard was like a christmas tree with lights, big fright.
Brought the car to the local auto rewind place, they did up the alternator, not a problem since. It is very likely you have this problem. Bearings had to be replaced in mine, the work cost about £100. I figure you should attend to and fix this first, before you start chasing down the starting problem. You may find when the alternator is fixed, the starting problem has gone away. Charge module is in the alternator. If it is not working properly, you will have low voltage, which can cause the clicking.

Otherwise, if problem still there when alternator fixed, start checking that all your earths are good on the main current circuits. You guys in the UK use too much salt on the roads in winter.

Good to have another owner on the network, we will have to get you involved in the next meet.

Joe:)

[TonyShaleUK]

Hi there

My brakes were shot when I got my import. Halfords got me front discs and all round pads. Discs were, I think, about £90 each and front pads about £40, from memory.

They have to special order, but it only took a few days. They also do aux drive belt and air filters (a bargain at £9!). You have to ask for them to check up tho'.

Good luck!

[PWA1X]

Halfords!!! What a good idea that was a super idea - they stock all sorts for the SVX and at very sensible prices too.

Went there today for brake pads, not in stock BUT ordered from their supplier and available to collect within 2 hours!!!! £50 too!

Highly recommend Halfords.

Paul
:D :D :D

Now another question.....does anyone know the Wheel Alignment details, ie Caster, Toe-in and Camber for both front and rear wheels please?

[TonyShaleUK]

I only know the tracking - I'm told by Subaru that it is parallel+/- 3mm

Tony

[svxistentialist]

Originally posted by PWA1X
Halfords!!! What a good idea that was a super idea - they stock all sorts for the SVX and at very sensible prices too.

Went there today for brake pads, not in stock BUT ordered from their supplier and available to collect within 2 hours!!!! £50 too!

Highly recommend Halfords.

Paul
:D :D :D


Now another question.....does anyone know the Wheel Alignment details, ie Caster, Toe-in and Camber for both front and rear wheels please?

FRONT:

Camber : -0deg25min +/- 45min

Caster: +4deg50min +/- 45min

Toe: 0 +/- 3mm {0 +/- 0.12in}

Kingpin angle: 16deg00min

REAR:

Camber: -0deg40min +/- 45min

Toe: 0 +/- 3mm {0 +/- 0.12in}

And that's it, unless you want to know the wheel arch heights.

Joe:)

[Ron Mummert]

Originally posted by Boone
Aw shucks Randy. No man is an isle... he's a peninsula. (where was that from?) I'm gonna take my bare feet out on this nice day and polish my trouble free SVX. :D :rolleyes: :p



Mine's trouble free too, Boone (There, that should ruin everything), and it's ebony - Aredub's 2nd favorite non-color.

To Paul - are you the Paul I found on Yahoo a few days ago?
If so, I hope you find this site an improvement.
Good luck with the electric stuff.

Ron.

[PWA1X]

Whilst in the store the very helpfull Manager printed off their "Weekend Service List" (as they call it!) for the SVX. It's basically all the parts they either hold in stock or can get for the car. I have listed these below for your information:-

Champion RC9YCC4 Spark Plug £10.99
HT Lead set - special order
Oil Filer Halfords HOF256 £5.99
Air Filter Coopers AG922 - special order
Fuel Filter FRAM G7376 - special order

Other:

Front Brakes Ferodo FDB641A £49.73
Back Brakes - special order
Both engine belts - special order



I hope the above is usefull to others. From my chat with the local store here in Hemel Hempstead, your best bet is to call in and ask - they have access to almost anything you need. And in the case of items such as starter motor or altenator they suggest a refurbishment service as parts not available.

Thanks for all your support so far ! I am very pleased to be a SVX Owner :-).



Paul.

[svxistentialist]

Thanks Paul.

That is really very useful information.

Joe

[svxistentialist]

have a big store, and our company headquarters is very close at Boucher.

will order the parts I need, and collect in the next week or so.

Nice one, Paul. This is a great help to me. I will post up any part numbers I get.

Anybody know if the Champion plugs are any good? They do not sound like OE. I think standard plugs are Nippondenso or some other Japanese type.

Joe