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  #1  
Old 12-07-2014, 07:29 AM
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halistan halistan is offline
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Dag nabbit @#$&*$!

Okay,

So, as many of you know, I recently installed a new Supercharger and new built engine into my SVX. After a few vacuum leak issues I have finally gotten it back and for the last week it has driven fabulously....until yesterday morning.

I went out to get it washed so I could start cleaning her up some (she is still rough to look at) but the car wouldn't start. It would turn over but not start. I tried 3-4 times but got nothing. It seemed like it wasn't getting fuel so I popped the hood to take a look. It was too dark to see anything so I went in to get a flashlight. When I came out there was smoke coming from the engine so I ran over and there as a small fire on the wire bundle going to the driver side injectors.

I ran back into the house to get the fire extinguisher (which didn't work) but it didn't matter as the fire was almost out on its own anyway. I blew out the remnants and looked for damage.

The keys were still in the car and it was set to 'on' so I went to take them out but noticed that nothing was lit up now. The car seemed like there was just no power getting to the car at all.

I checked the fusible link and sure enough it was blown (see pic below).

After reading a little bit on the club it seems the most likely cause is the alternator which kinda ticks me off. Right before I started this whole "rebuilding" gig a couple years ago, I took off my old alternator which was the original one the SVX came with. It has never given me problems but being a 20 year old alternator, I thought it best to get it rebuilt so I'd have one less thing to worry about.

Seeing as Maniac Electric motors is not far from me (about 45 minutes) I took it to them to get it redone. I even had them beef it up to the high output so that I could eventually upgrade the stereo system too. Since then, it had been working fine but realistically its only got like 200 miles on it since it was redone.

I've called AWD Tuning and I'll have it towed back to them tomorrow and I'll call Maniac and see what they can do about this. My concern, however, is a lot of people said on the other threads that something like this can burn out your ECU. So i'm wondering if that is true. I'm running the stage III ECU from ECUTune and i know he is not making these anymore so what other options do I have (worst case scenario).

Eventually I'd like to get a Hydra, but from what I understand, the Hydra plugs into the subaru ECU...is that right? I still have my original ECU, would I use that with the Hydra instead?

Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated. Thanks everyone!

Ray

Pics:

Burned Fusible Link: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...3&l=41e9936d7f

Burned Wires: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...3&l=30cf2d6ca3
__________________
'93 LS-L named "Samantha Victoria Xavier"...Sam for short.
All new and improved custom built engine with forged internals, lowered compression, upgraded cams and a stage III supercharger. AMR Engineering struts, Custom exhaust --All 3 Subaru cats removed, and replaced with 2 high flow mustang cats-- Cross-drilled & Slotted rotors, steel braided brake lines, bypassed stock Tranny cooler replaced with aftermarket B&M super-cooler, and a K&N drop in air filter.
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  #2  
Old 12-07-2014, 08:03 AM
Tapani Tapani is offline
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Re: Dag nabbit @#$&*$!

What makes you think alternator?

I'd start by gently pulling the wire bundle open to find the short.

If the ECU (injector drivers) is fried you can modify another stock ECU to take Stage 3 chip.

/T
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  #3  
Old 12-07-2014, 12:53 PM
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halistan halistan is offline
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Re: Dag nabbit @#$&*$!

I don't know for certain its the alternator, but all the threads I found about the fusible link frying were due to the alternator regulator being shot.

How would one modify another ECU? Do you mean taking the chip from mine and putting it into another stock ECU? I thought these had to be flashed?
__________________
'93 LS-L named "Samantha Victoria Xavier"...Sam for short.
All new and improved custom built engine with forged internals, lowered compression, upgraded cams and a stage III supercharger. AMR Engineering struts, Custom exhaust --All 3 Subaru cats removed, and replaced with 2 high flow mustang cats-- Cross-drilled & Slotted rotors, steel braided brake lines, bypassed stock Tranny cooler replaced with aftermarket B&M super-cooler, and a K&N drop in air filter.
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  #4  
Old 12-07-2014, 09:10 PM
Tapani Tapani is offline
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Re: Dag nabbit @#$&*$!

Well, if the injector wires are burned I'd think the problem is there.

Or is the fusible link located at the same spot?

The chip is what you need to swap. It has all the new maps. But the ecu needs to be modified a little.... you need to remove the original ROM and install an empty socket for the Stage 3 ROM to be pressed in.

It's really simple - you just need to be careful.

/T
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  #5  
Old 12-08-2014, 10:16 AM
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Re: Dag nabbit @#$&*$!

.

The description of the fault is vague. Even basic electrical knowledge seems to be absent. I believe there is no way that the alternator could be involved in the short circuit as has been described. It would appear that the original and standard wiring has been modified or disturbed

The evidence provided indicates that the illustrated injector, or its close connection, has become a direct short-circuit. This is the first point to be disconnected and checked.

The injectors are normally energized in sequence via the ECU, which is supplied via the main relay, and 30 amp fuse 2 located on the main fuse compartment under the hood. This fuse is included as the first overload protection.

If everything was as OEM, fuse 2 should have blown before the fusible link and limited the ECU supply current to 30 amps, which should not have caused the fire described. Even so, the protection afforded is minimal and damage to the ECU could be expected, but as things stand, is probably a certainty

It would appear that fuse protection has in some way been bypassed. This is bad news and dangerous as gasoline fumes are present.


Ray,

I don't really have any reason to suspect the Maniac alternator to be at fault at this time. Did you do any alternator wiring upgrades or check the original wires for cracking and corrosion. I eliminated a lot of these problems when I developed the new alternator wiring configuration.

.
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Subaru Ambassador

1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD

JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995.....
Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan

In-Service Date: January 2, 1997



"The Pristine Green Polo Machine”
First Polo Green on the Network
First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000)
First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007)
First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013)

HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler.


R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016

2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback

2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles.
Plenty of parts, service and windshields.


4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001

My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX .

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  #6  
Old 12-08-2014, 10:38 AM
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Re: Dag nabbit @#$&*$!

At this point I don't know for certain if it was the alternator. That is just speculation from the other threads that I found where the fusible link fried. I've taken the car back to AWD Tuning to see if they can determine what happened and how best to fix it.

With any luck, no other damage was done to the car. I didn't see the #2 fuse you mentioned, I didn't look at that. I just saw the fusible link was toasted so I remove it, then disconnected the battery terminals.

I'll let you know what I hear from AWD
__________________
'93 LS-L named "Samantha Victoria Xavier"...Sam for short.
All new and improved custom built engine with forged internals, lowered compression, upgraded cams and a stage III supercharger. AMR Engineering struts, Custom exhaust --All 3 Subaru cats removed, and replaced with 2 high flow mustang cats-- Cross-drilled & Slotted rotors, steel braided brake lines, bypassed stock Tranny cooler replaced with aftermarket B&M super-cooler, and a K&N drop in air filter.
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  #7  
Old 12-08-2014, 11:56 AM
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Re: Dag nabbit @#$&*$!

.





.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg fuse.jpg (72.2 KB, 1075 views)
__________________
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Subaru Ambassador

1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD

JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995.....
Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan

In-Service Date: January 2, 1997



"The Pristine Green Polo Machine”
First Polo Green on the Network
First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000)
First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007)
First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013)

HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler.


R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016

2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback

2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles.
Plenty of parts, service and windshields.


4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001

My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX .

.
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  #8  
Old 12-08-2014, 01:38 PM
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halistan halistan is offline
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Re: Dag nabbit @#$&*$!

Thanks a lot for these! I've sent this thread link over to AWD. I hope it helps them narrow down the culprit. I'll let you know what I find out
__________________
'93 LS-L named "Samantha Victoria Xavier"...Sam for short.
All new and improved custom built engine with forged internals, lowered compression, upgraded cams and a stage III supercharger. AMR Engineering struts, Custom exhaust --All 3 Subaru cats removed, and replaced with 2 high flow mustang cats-- Cross-drilled & Slotted rotors, steel braided brake lines, bypassed stock Tranny cooler replaced with aftermarket B&M super-cooler, and a K&N drop in air filter.
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  #9  
Old 12-08-2014, 03:34 PM
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Re: Dag nabbit @#$&*$!

The strange part is that it ran well for that week or more period..I assume nothing was touched in that period, right? Could some wiring have gotten progressively pinched/rubbed through re: the SC install ? Would seem like the injector wiring was getting shorted distal to the ECU output.
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  #10  
Old 12-08-2014, 08:24 PM
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svxcess svxcess is offline
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Re: Dag nabbit @#$&*$!

.

In some other posts, there seemed to be some evidence or speculation that the technical ability at "ECUtune" could be suspect. It is quite possible that internal ECU Stage III mods have bypassed or eliminated fuse protection, by sourcing voltage from a different pin connection.

Food for thought...

.
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Subaru Ambassador

1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD

JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995.....
Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan

In-Service Date: January 2, 1997



"The Pristine Green Polo Machine”
First Polo Green on the Network
First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000)
First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007)
First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013)

HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler.


R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016

2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback

2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles.
Plenty of parts, service and windshields.


4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001

My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX .

.

Last edited by svxcess; 12-31-2014 at 05:22 PM.
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  #11  
Old 12-09-2014, 08:15 AM
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dannmarr dannmarr is offline
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Re: Dag nabbit @#$&*$!

Amazon.com
Kidde 21006287 Auto Fire Extinguisher, 5BC, Silver
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Subaru SVX for fun
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Susuki SX4 for my older son
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  #12  
Old 12-09-2014, 08:29 AM
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halistan halistan is offline
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Re: Dag nabbit @#$&*$!

Funny, but that is the extinguisher that I had in my house. Well, not the exact one, mine is red, but it is a 2lbs Kidde brand one.
__________________
'93 LS-L named "Samantha Victoria Xavier"...Sam for short.
All new and improved custom built engine with forged internals, lowered compression, upgraded cams and a stage III supercharger. AMR Engineering struts, Custom exhaust --All 3 Subaru cats removed, and replaced with 2 high flow mustang cats-- Cross-drilled & Slotted rotors, steel braided brake lines, bypassed stock Tranny cooler replaced with aftermarket B&M super-cooler, and a K&N drop in air filter.
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  #13  
Old 12-10-2014, 08:19 AM
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Re: Dag nabbit @#$&*$!

Auto fire extinguisher. Keep one in your car. I do
__________________
Father of 5 sons and 1 daughter

Subaru SVX for fun
Hyundai Veracruz for the wife.
Susuki SX4 for my older son
Ford Ranger for work
Mercedes Benz Sprinter for vacation trips,
EZ GO Golf cart for driving kids around gated community.
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  #14  
Old 12-10-2014, 08:59 AM
92snowmachine 92snowmachine is offline
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Re: Dag nabbit @#$&*$!

i have seen this happen a lot on older vw (90's) because of a bad ground connection. the bad connection makes the power flow through the smaller grounds and ecu, melting wiring and frying the computer. never seen it on a subaru but quite a few vw. just something to check.
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  #15  
Old 12-10-2014, 09:05 AM
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Re: Dag nabbit @#$&*$!

.
One in the car, one in the garage. Halotron: no mess, residue or damage to components.

http://www.gatewayfiresupply.com/Buc...ign=amazon+PLA


The dry powder used in most ABC extinguishers is messy, horrible to remove and quote corrosive to electronics and wiring The dry powder main ingredient, ammonium phosphate, can have a chemical reaction with water and form into phosphoric acid which is a corrosive element. Potassium bicarbonate (baking soda) is also added.
.
__________________
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Subaru Ambassador

1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD

JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995.....
Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan

In-Service Date: January 2, 1997



"The Pristine Green Polo Machine”
First Polo Green on the Network
First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000)
First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007)
First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013)

HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler.


R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016

2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback

2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles.
Plenty of parts, service and windshields.


4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001

My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX .

.
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