Help! Fuel System/Electrical problem??
 

Thanks for the help in advance, its pretty urgent. Im worried the dealer is trying to screw me.

1994 SVX L

Driving home the other day, my car simply stopped running, like went dead, no power steering, brakes. Took like 10 tries to get it started, went about 100 yards and it died again. Same thing again, then had it towed to the dealer. I have been noticing problems starting the car for the past few months. (I get in, turn the key, nothing, no attempt to start, but the car turns on ok, just no engine activity whatsoever, it will work after about 6 tired)

Dealer (normally trustworthy, Tischer Subaru in DC but seems to be under new ownership) says problems in the elecrical system, perhaps due to aftermarket best buy alarm wiring...Causing/combining with faulty "fuel resistor" and "fuel module control" for about $770 estimate. Parts need to be ordered from outside the country, will take a week!!@@!!

Called another dealership, they said theyve never heard of those two parts! Im confused as hell, and just a college age kid so i'm a little overwhelmed. Thanks for any help you can give.

PS: i dont know if this is important, but for the past 6 months, my car experiences very not smooth/grinding acceleration under certain circumstances, very noticeable. I was in an accident a few weeks ago, and now it seems this problem happens all the time. I dont know what it is and why it would be aggravated by a minor head collision, but now the car drives like crap. Don't know if the problems are related. Thanks again!

First, if you're lucky the starting problem might not be too expensive. It could simply be loose security bolts on the ingition switch. We bought replacement bolts for $0.50ea at a hardware store and cured the problem immediately.

Second, the stalling problem could be related to many things. I've never heard of a "fuel resistor" or "fuel control module" either, but then again, I'm not an expert mechanic. Perhaps you should ask them for some part numbers? Some simple things to check are the fuel filter, fuel pump, and pressurization. You can usually hear the fuel pump and pressurization when you turn the key to the ON position before starting the car.

As for the grinding during acceleration, you'll probably have to provide a more detailed description of the symptoms for anyone to help, but have you considered checking the brakes?

Where in DC are you located?

I had a similar starting problem and had the starter and security bolts replaced. It seemed to lessen the problem.

I'm in College Park usually, sometimes North Potomac. I'm all over suburban DC MD basically....

I have never into dismantling stuff on the SVX, just seems a little beyond me...is the tightening of the bolts a tough job?

There is a resistor on the fuel pump. It's used in series with the pump when on light throttle to drop the fuel flow. There could be a problem there, but I would get them to diagnose the problem, Not just replace the whole thing.
Harvey.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by AJ
[B]I'm in College Park usually, sometimes North Potomac. I'm all over suburban DC MD basically....


AJ - Would your car be red & have 666 (no, I'm not kidding) on the license plate?

Ron