New member has RX and questions

[labman]

Hi All!

First off, let me introduce myself. Name is Steve. From Palmer Lake CO.

Long time Subaru fan (since mid 70s), mostly DL/GL 4X4 wagons, used for mild off-road, snow days, beater car. Presently have an '84 GL wagon, built upon the previous '83s components, but with a mostly ding and rust-free chassis. Works great; my baby.

Just recently got an '85 RX sedan for embarassingly little coin ($300); was supposed to have a bad clutch. Bad clutch _adjustment_, I'd say; now works fine, runs super. Driving it today.

The RX is cool; EA82T, 5spd hi/lo (sorta lo, anyway), rear LSD, 4 wheel discs, nice alloy wheels (with near-new tires), sporty suspension, room for a decent stereo, etc.

At some point, a previous owner added a switch to the dash, and, alas, I can't figure what it does. It is an SPST switch that in the "ON" position connects a small white/red (red/white? symptom of brain fade) wire coming from a relay tucked up behind the instrument panel to ground.

I have _part_ of the factory service manual for the '85 cars, but not the electrical section, and diagrams in the the Haynes book didn't help.

Can anyone provide me with a copy of the pertinent parts of the factory manual, or even provide a guess as to what the switch is for?

I have also observed that the engine surges a bit under low speed/constant throttle (ie 30mph, 4th gear, residential street) operation. It passed CO emissions just fine, so no major problem with the fuel system, but at least a minor annoyance. Any suggestions as to where to start looking? The car has 117K on it, if it matters.

Last (and unrelated) question:

I also have an '86 (?) XT that someone gave me, has a bad motor, and is missing some interior trim; probably not worth the effort to fix. Does anyone know if the front seats will fit into my '84 w/o major surgery? (I know, I know . . . try and see . . . I'm just lazy ;-)

Many thanx in advance!

 

ByeBye! S.

[sheppie62]

Does the car need the switch on to run? Like fuel pump relay bi-pass. Does the aux. radiator fan come on or get power ? Maybe it had fog lights and they were taken off. Hopefully your car has the factory option "NSP" (Nitrous/ Supercharger/ Parachute).

[labman]

Hi Sheppie!

 

You ask:

>Does the car need the switch on to run?

 

Nope. I can't tell any difference with it on or off; can't hear any fans start or relays click; doesn't seem to affect when the "boost" lite comes on; doesn't affect the 2wd/4wd selection; doesn't turn on any lights (at least not that I can tell).

If the switch had powered accessory lighting (my first guess), I would have expected to find additional wiring, but no; one splice into the relay wiring, and a connection to ground, that's it.

Guess I could pull out that relay and see what stops working . . .

Alas, no NSP option either. Probably a good thing it _didn't_ fire the ejector seat, eh ;-)

 

ByeBye! S.