Did I fry the ECU?

[Just enough to be dangerous]

Early 90's Legacy, manual trans. Previously running until I did the following:

Pulled the spark plugs.

Disconnected the 3 pin connector to the coil unit. Did this without disconnecting the battery

Ran compression test.

Note that I did not disconnect the fuel injectors as the Subaru manual calls for. I was following a generic procedure, had not seen the official procedure at that point

After reinstalling the plugs and reconnecting the coil unit, the engine will crank but not start.

After cranking, all the trouble lights on the dash stay on even with the ignition off and key removed. These lights stay on until you disconnect the battery. The lights stay off until you crank the engine again.

 

Any ideas or suggestions how to proceed with trouble shooting this?

 

New to this forum, would really appreciate your help

[Adam N.D.J.]

Hmm, this is a most interesting problem. I generally don't like to work on cars that I can't physically touch, but this sounds like it could be fun.

If you had the key off when you disconnected the coil, then there shouldn't be a problem, I disconnect things connected to the computer every day with the battery hooked up, without any problems. If the key was on though, that can be another story. Ideally though, there shouldn't be problem with the coil as it is a ground control circuit that is only active during run/crank.

Sounds like you may have a problem with a ground somewhere though. Is there anything that may have accidentally been disconnected, or knocked out?

As for the lights staying on, that could be a problem with the ignition relay, for some reason it isn't shutting off when the key is turned off, and is only sticking when the "start" is energized.

 

Mostly, there are A LOT of variables that can cause the given problems, and without a hands on approch, really hard to diagnose. Let us know if you come accross any more info that could be handy, or a fix. Lotsa luck.

[The Dude]

Well, it's a generic suggestion that might not be worth a damn. But try disconnecting the battery for 15 minutes. That should reset the ECU.

[Legacy777]

Probably wouldn't start because the engine is super flooded. As for the lights on the dash....I don't really see how that's related.

 

I'd try the battery disconnect first.

[Just enough to be dangerous]

Thanks Folks. I think Josh pretty well nailed it as far as being severely flooded. After a lot of cranking it finally began to fire briefly, then took several more cranks before running continuously.

 

The behavior of the panel lights has gone back to normal too.

[oddcomp]

so where at in the pacific northwest are you?

[Just enough to be dangerous]

Well, the next morning I started it up again, drove it half way around the block and the engine died.

I said "Enough of this BS" and pushed it to the closest shop with the help of my neighbor. I was a little leery of taking it there because in my past experience they have been kind of creative when writing up the bill. They always delete the questionable stuff when I call them on it, but I kind of pity their customers that don't know enough to ask questions.

 

The shop found loose ground wires, tightened them up, and didn't try to stick me with anything. I sort of wonder if it really took an hour to track down, but what are you going to do?