New (To me) XT6

[Krytios]

Well, the horror story begins.

 

I have always been a alcyone (XT6/SVX) fan, and I saw one for sale and the guy had absolutely no idea what he had, said it was a V6, didn't even know it was a subaru. So I bought it.

 

It runs amazing, has great pickup, very quick, actually surprised me how quick it was considering it's an auto, shifts smooth, everything. Now here is my problem.

 

I think it may be the alternator, but the car after driving for a few minutes (about 15) starts to sputter. It stops sensing throttle position, like I floor it and it doesn't down shift, just revs like it's in neutral, even though it's in drive. Until finally it starts bobbing up and down in rpm, I lose engine speed, and the car finally dies. Try to crank it again, and dead battery insues. idk if the alternator is bad, or if somehow the wiring is jimmied and I just need to reroute some things, or what.

 

Also, the fan only comes on when the car is on but not running, and so does the wiper blades and the radio also only works when the car is on but not running. And sometimes when the car is on but not running I cannot get the wipers to stop running. But when the car is running, neither the wipers or the fan for the radiator or the radio will come on.

 

 

PLEASE HELP ME WITH MY FRANKENSTEIN!@!!!! I love my soobie, regardless of how many times my friends tell me it's a piece of shyte.

 

I know it'll be a good car, it's just barely broke 100k miles and it pulls soooo hard when it does run.

 

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

You can also email me because I get email on my phone, and for some reason my phone is finicky about using the forum.

 

 

hellswrath_inc@yahoo.com

[Turbone]

Welcome to the Board!

There is a dedicated site for the XT (or Alcyone) fans.

Its http://subaruxt.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=230f82ae140967de3052a23bb0d3c6ef

 

It does sound like the alternator is having issues tho.

If you have a meter, I would check the output on it.

 

Oh yeah, when you register there, make sure you post pics

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

Welcome!

 

... the fan only comes on when the car is on but not running, and so does the wiper blades and the radio also only works when the car is on but not running. And sometimes when the car is on but not running I cannot get the wipers to stop running. But when the car is running, neither the wipers or the fan for the radiator or the radio will come on. ...

 

This Issue I am 99% Sure is Related to the Ignition Switch having some False Contact, internal Failure... Let me Explain:

if Everything Works fine Before Starting the Engine, when the Key is in "ON" but Refuses to Work when you Already Started the Engine, I Do Believe that the Ignition Switch`s Return Spring for "Start" is Throwing the Key too Loose from the "ON" Position`s Electric Contact, so the Car Runs but there are No Power on the Circuits...

it also Might Lead to the Transmission Problems... Due to Lack of Electric Communication; even the Alternator could be not Sending it`s Power Back to the Battery while the Key Does Not Hold the "ON" Position`s electric Contact, even with the Key in "ON" and the Engine is Running.

I Suggest you to Try with Another ignition Switch, you may obtain a Good Workin` one at a Junk Yard and just Plug it instead of your Subie`s Original one... Worth Try!

If that`s Not the Answer, maybe someone did Played with the Wiring... is the Radiator`s Electric Fan Re-Wired to Switch "ON" Right with the Ignition, Bypassing the Thermo-Switch?

if So, it is a Good Point to Check Too... After the Ignition Key itself.

Post Pics of your Subie as Long as you Can! ... ... Good Luck!

Kind Regards.

[Krytios]

Is there any ways to make like a painless wiring box, sort of eliminate the whole key idea, that way I know exactly where the wiring is routed>? So I can just flip everything to "ON" that needs to be on, and have push button ignition?

 

Also, I'll post pictures tonight sometime, the car is in pretty good condition. You'll see it tonight.

[Durania]

Replace the alternator first thing and still see if the problem still exists. My second thought would be MAF.

[john in KY]

I have an XT6 ignition sw/key if you decide to go that route.

[Krytios]

Actually, the ignition thing worked great, I just wiggled the key a little bit and everything came on and started working.

 

However, I'm still having the not charging issue, so I'm going to swap the alternator once I confirm it's bad. And also, it gets this erratic idle and only starts to go if I punch it. If I punch it, it runs amazing, but if I don't it goes boggy. I tried removing the air filter box to give it more air, and when punching it there is improvement, but it still does the boggy thing. There does happen to be duct tape around the air hose from the previous owner and I will be replacing that once I can locate a part. Also, it's got a toyota oil cap, only reason I recognized it is it's the same one on my celica, so I need an actual subaru one that fits.

When I took the air box off it did idle crazy for a few minutes but I'd expect that, it calmed down and ran normal later.

 

My question, there is a thumping sound coming from somewhere when it goes all boggy, and I'm lead to believe its some sort of engine knock from not having enough charge, because it runs like a champ, then when the battery gauge starts to fall it goes all crazy and thumpy boggy slow.

 

So is my basic problem:

 

Get a good battery

Get a good Alternator

Get rid of duct tape intake line

Replace line to valve cover by the air box with a little mini K+N oil breather

Change the oil

I already ran a custom fan line with a 30 amp switch w/relay+fuse so that's done

Make sure the birds nest of wiring is hooked up correctly

 

then hope for the best?

[Krytios]

Changed the plugs on Soobie and i accidentally snapped a plug wire and had to make one so it took a little longer than expected, so I wasn't able to take pictures in the daylight like I wanted to, but I'll try to have more up tomorrow.

 

here's the one I do have, taken during the test drive