starts when it wants to.

[uglyfrog]

this is a really long story, so I will just cut too the chase. Last year (2005 feb.) my beloved 87 DL two wheel dr wagon, didnt start after I got off work one cooooooold Northern Michigan night, it took us(half the staff at the resteraunt) 3 hrs to get it started, We covered the roo with 15 to 20 huge tableclothes, shoved prime rib heat lamps under it and fiilled the tank with dry gas. I made it home that evening. two weeks later the same thing happened but It never started, it sat in my employment parking lot for 1 week, I would try and start it every day, but no luck. I finally talked a friend of mine in to helping me tow it. ( by the by, I live 45 miles from my work) when We got there it started, (go figure). from then on, once or twice a week, it would do this, I learned to listen for the fuel pump, wich would indicate to me if it was going to start or not, but it stranded me to many times, so I yanked the gas tank and emp, this was after checking for cracks in the distributer, I also went to the junkyard and dug up another fuel pump and installed it, no go, so I figured I should just put out the 200.00 dollars for a new pump, but found a used one with a guarenty on the internet and installed it, no go, so I kicked it and cussed at it! still no go, left it where it was at and bought a 97 dodge sport se caravan, I,ve been happy with it, but when I came out of work the other day, the heat had blown the rear window out, and besides the gas was killing me, so I went back to the Roo , it was right where I had left it,( 10 months ago) I apologized for the kicking and swearing thing last year, jumped in it and it fired right over (go figure) ran it for about an hour, cleaned the leaves and debri from it and drove it home and shut it off, went to start it an hour later and had no success, same ole crap, I,m beside myself, and done with it, but I have decided to stay committed to the Subaru, I,ve been trying to post this since then, the administator finally let me in, by the way Hi! guys, and HELP!!!!!!

[msteel]

Well, it sounds unlikely that the fuel pump itself is bad, since you've had several in there. But it does sound to me like it is fuel pump related since it will start if the fuel pump runs. You could have a flaky fuel pump relay or a broken wire in the fuel pump circuit that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Or it could be the ECU (Engine control unit), which controls the fuel pump relay.

 

If there's anything else to check, there are others that know these cars extremely well and should be able to help figure this out.

[uglyfrog]

Well, it sounds unlikely that the fuel pump itself is bad, since you've had several in there. But it does sound to me like it is fuel pump related since it will start if the fuel pump runs. You could have a flaky fuel pump relay or a broken wire in the fuel pump circuit that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Or it could be the ECU (Engine control unit), which controls the fuel pump relay.

 

If there's anything else to check, there are others that know these cars extremely well and should be able to help figure this out.

where the hec is the (ECU) located????

[wesley willis]

next to the steering column under the dash. a few phillips screws removed and off comes the panel covering it. you should recognize it, as it is pretty much the only thing under the dash (black box with a red LED in it) with wires leading into it and connectors near it and the like.

[4x4_Welder]

I'd check the fuel pump relay first. Where is it? I'm sure somebody else here can tell you where it's at, I'm still learning the science of Subaru.

[kayakertom]

From your description, I'm not convinced the problem is the fuel pump. I would put new NGK sparkplugs in, check for good ignition wire connections, spray sone carb cleaner in and around the carb, check and replace hardened vacuum lines and replace the fuel filter.

[uglyfrog]

I,m going too check the vaccums and carb out, and I also found the ECU, in turn I found the Green plugs ander the hood and connected them, the red LED on the ECU bliked 6 short blinks about 4 times consecutively, does anyone know the interpretation for the diagnostics???

[ellets]

go here for code info. usrm at top of page. go to page 2.