SubieNewbie Dash Indicator Light Question

[SubieWarrior]

Still learning my way around my first Subaru here so forgive the silly question.

 

What does the "Door Lock" indicator light on the dash mean?

 

I have an 88 GL Wagon FWD 5-speed. I have along history with Japanese cars, but this is my first Subie. I have already fallen hopelessly in love with it, but I don't have any docs for it so I am confused by some things. You should have seen my face the first time I opened the hood. (Huh? a tire?! Oh, right, horizontally opposed engine. Hey, that's pretty good thinking!)

 

Also, is there any way to get Service Manuals for these things? I have the Chilton's but as usual, it sucks.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Durania]

Huh? a tire?!

 

Get used to hearing people asking that question every time you pop the hood.

[daeron]

Get used to hearing people asking that question every time you pop the hood.

 

it is somehow funny in a different way when its a guy working at a tire shop, you come in on the donut, and you go to get the wheel with the flat... reach into the car, and pull.. the HOOD release :- )

[GeneralDisorder]

What does the "Door Lock" indicator light on the dash mean?

 

 

I actually laughed at that one.

 

It means your doors aren't locked. Get in and lock the drivers door - all the other doors will lock and that will go out.

 

GD

[jacobs]

Watch fleaBay ahhh eBay for factory service manuals. An incomplete set of 1987 manuals just sold for about $15.00 there.

[hooziewhatsit]

What does the "Door Lock" indicator light on the dash mean?

 

when driving with some friends, they'll usually ask what it means. So I'll lock all the doors and make the light go out, then say if any other door is unlocked it will turn back on.

 

Usually takes about 0.03 seconds for someone to unlock their door to see

[SubieWarrior]

Interesting, I figured that was what it meant but my light never goes out. As far as I can see anyway.

 

And when I lock the driver's side door from the inside it does not lock all of the other doors. Though the outside lock does lock all of the doors.

 

One more thing to add to the fixit list I guess.

 

Thanks for the help guys, I will keep a watch on ebay for some 88 FSMs.

[SubieWarrior]

OK, giving a friend a ride home today I tested this. The light does go out if I lock them all. But my internal driver's side door lock doesn't lock or unlock the other doors when it is actuated.

 

Oh, and I think it was more like .04 seconds until my passenger flicked the lock to see the light turn back on.

 

I'll post another thread asking how to fix this. Thanks again for the help.

[daeron]

Interesting, I figured that was what it meant but my light never goes out. As far as I can see anyway.

 

And when I lock the driver's side door from the inside it does not lock all of the other doors. Though the outside lock does lock all of the doors.

 

One more thing to add to the fixit list I guess.

 

Thanks for the help guys, I will keep a watch on ebay for some 88 FSMs.

I would guess that would indicate that the power door locks are activated by one of two switches, one in the inside lock-switch mechanism, and one on the outside, keylock mechanism.. and that the "switch" for the power locks in your interior "lock" is somehow failed. This is all supposition, but it may be worth pulling off your door panel to see if there are any wires going to the doorlatch area.. if so, you may need to replace that little part from the junkyard.

 

As I said, thats all nothing more than some fancy guessin'.... anyone else know a little more about this sytem who wants to chime in? I just own one, mine works fine. Haven't had to investigate, yet....