SVX wont start
 

Well my SVX has been stalling out when i come to stops and is having trouble starting up. The engine is turning but wont spark up. The battery is ok. I know it could be any of a million things in this car but if anyone is familiar with the situation would and has any ideas would be very helpful thanks

First of all, I need to formally welcome Andrew to the "network." I'm sure you'll find it a fun place to chill and talk about SVX's.

Now... I have to second andrews question... Does anyone have any idea what could be the cause of this? The car turns over but wont start... The fuel pump does kick on.

-Mike

I can't say what may be causing it, but, I have a general troubleshooting chart in my Yahoo briefcase. Just go to the "How-to" personal locker. I've put the link in there . . . somewhere.

randy... nice info "my reality check bounced" hilarious... :D

-Mike

Randy - I checked out that troubleshooting chart... DAMN! theres a lot of possabilities. Maybe just take the car to the subaru dealer... Somtimes thats all that works.

-Mike

can you jump the car off?
 

my first guess would be the alternator. make sure the car is all the way in park. i had to replace some switch that would not let the car start if it was not all the way in park. i think it is mounted above the tranny......damn i cannot remember the name of it!!

definitely check the alternator first. :)

Re: can you jump the car off?
 

Methinks you are thinking of the neutral safety switch? At least, a bad NSS would do what you're describing.

Sorry guys,
If engine turns over, it is not a neutral safety switch - the switch disables the starter.
It cannot be an alternator either - alternator does not do anything at cranking speeds (rotation is way too slow for it).
Battery is used to both crank engine and to supply power to ECU and ignition system at startup.

Intermittment failures and difficulty starting may be caused by MAF (mass airflow sensor). It typically does not trigger trouble code in ECU. Did you have Check Engine light when your engine
was still running? Have you tried to check the trouble codes from ECU?

MAF can be tested by measuring voltage on the connector. It has 3 wires, one will be ground, the second one +12v (or whatever is the battery voltage), the third is the signal.
It should be approx +0.3v at ignition on, and close to +1v with
engine running at idle.

It can be a million of other things as well. Try cranking with
throttle half open and fully open -it may or may not start. In either case this eliminates quite a few components as potential culprits.

My first suggestion was the MAF as well. The dealer has the car now, and thinks its the "computer" they dont have a very good track record though.

-Mike

fixation
 

well it was a bad crank sensor for anyone who might come across this $180 -- thanks for the suggestions--