some one told me that the reason i couldnt get my old subaru going is because it didnt have a brain box under the steering wheel (it was stolen). so when i heard this i went and checked my 83 wagon and didnt find a box under the wheel either. i dont know what its supposed to look like so if any one knows what im talking about could you please send me a pic thank you.

Whether your car should have a computer or not depends on year and model. your 83 most likely shouldn't have a computer. What is the other car in question?

 

If it did have a computer, it certainly wont run without it.

Depending on where they were originally sold, the pre-83s might or might not have an ECU. I am not sure if that changed after 82.

 

The EA81's have the ECU mostly for emissions control. The carb doesn't need it to function. I don't think that the '83's ignition goes throught the ECU, but I could easily be wrong. And I really do no know whether or not the ECU is involved with fuel pump activation.

 

I hope that thes lack of certain information has helped you.

my other subaru is an 86 Gl hatch back 4x4. when you look under the wheel on both of them there is a little plate with 2 bolts sticking down, and you can tell something went there.thanks for the info guys.

Look in the front "Y" pipe cat

 

if there is an 02 sensor the you should have an ECU

 

or

 

no 02 no ECU

...if there is an 02 sensor the you should have an ECU...

Skip, you take all of the fun out of "20 Questions"!