Help! My SVX is stranded.

BRADY · #1 04-02-2011, 09:56 AM

Hi all.

After working my first night as a DJ, I get out the the SVX and she won't start. I suspect the fuel pump, as I can't hear it whirring during the ignition sequence. My SVX is now sitting in a car-park, refusing to start.

Should I get it towed to a nearby mechanic? Is the fuel pump a big job and does the SVX require an SVX specific pump?

Times like these really TEST my dedication to this rare car.

P.S. I am not mechanically minded - unfortunately.

Mike
(Car is stranded in Warner's Bay.)

Subix · #2 04-02-2011, 10:16 AM

Try resetting the system by pulling the battery terminals and connecting it back up again? Security system on it? Faulty/malfunctioning one might keep it from starting but it's only a thought? Best of luck to you...

1986nate · #3 04-02-2011, 10:23 AM

If it happens to be the fuel pump, it's not too tough of an endeavor. Also I'm pretty sure all the subaru pumps are the same from that era. Having the access hole behind the rear seat makes it easy to get to.

BRADY · #4 04-02-2011, 10:38 AM

Thanks so much for the quick response, my friends. It means so much to be a part of this forum!!

I will get back to the SVX tomorrow, check the fuses and if that isn't it, I shall get a fuel pump from a local Subaru dealer.

Subix - my model does not have any security, except for the mid-nineties aftermarket crap the previous owner installed.

It has fuel, plenty of battery and the starter motor is working. Looking back at the past two weeks, I believe the SVX was giving me signals. It took a while to start last Monday (longer than usual) and also hesitated briefly as I began my drive tonight.

Mike

Gamesy · #5 04-02-2011, 10:23 AM

check your under dash fuses especislly the EG/ign fuse, it happened to me

oab_au · #6 04-02-2011, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRADY

Hi all.

After working my first night as a DJ, I get out the the SVX and she won't start. I suspect the fuel pump, as I can't hear it whirring during the ignition sequence. My SVX is now sitting in a car-park, refusing to start.

Should I get it towed to a nearby mechanic? Is the fuel pump a big job and does the SVX require an SVX specific pump?

Times like these really TEST my dedication to this rare car.

P.S. I am not mechanically minded - unfortunately.

Mike
(Car is stranded in Warner's Bay.)

Mike you can check if it is the pump
The two wires that go to the pump, the blue is power supplied by the relay. Yellow is the ground wire that goes to the modulator, to be grounded through a resistor for low pump or direct to ground for high pump.
If the pump turns on for a few seconds, when you turn the key on, then the relay and pump are working OK.

To check if the pumps ground is connected, put a ground on the Yellow wire. Take a length of wire, stick one end in the Yellow connector, so that it is connected to the yellow wire, ground the other end, turn the Ign on, see if the pump will run.

Harvey.

Gamesy · #7 04-02-2011, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oab_au

Mike you can check if it is the pump
The two wires that go to the pump, the blue is power supplied by the relay. Yellow is the ground wire that goes to the modulator, to be grounded through a resistor for low pump or direct to ground for high pump.
If the pump turns on for a few seconds, when you turn the key on, then the relay and pump are working OK.

To check if the pumps ground is connected, put a ground on the Yellow wire. Take a length of wire, stick one end in the Yellow connector, so that it is connected to the yellow wire, ground the other end, turn the Ign on, see if the pump will run.

Harvey.

what he said

Subix · #8 04-03-2011, 01:01 AM

How much fuel? While not an SVX, my buddies car recently had starting issues and it sat in his driveway for almost a full month because he couldn't figure it out. Turns out after adding 2 gallons, it started right up... and hasn't had a problem since. I know he was low on gas, he knows he was low.. but apparently something was goofy with the gauge.

Had another friend replace a fuel pump on his car, same issue.. didn't have enough gas. Of course, we laugh about it later. Needless to say this probably isn't your case but just saying, if it is 'rather low', you're gonna add gas anyways so worth a shot? Then again, you did mention the lack of whirring noise....

BRADY · #9 04-03-2011, 01:02 AM

Soooo, the fuel pump is under the back seat? Remove rear cushion?

Mike

JDW-SVX · #10 04-03-2011, 01:51 AM

My guess would be a bad or melted connection between the fuel pump electrical connector and the plug at the end of the wiring loom.

As the fuel pump ages, it must start drawing more current, and if the connection with the wiring loom is bad, it would start to heat up and eventually damage the connector at the pump.

Yes - you can access the pump by removing the rear seat cushion - the electrical connector is right on top of the access panel.

Jason.