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Yesterday I was gently driving along the m66 when my Impreza decided to miss fire then 15 seconds later cut out on me. I coasted to the hard should and tried to restart it but had no joy. I initially thought the timing belt had gone and possibly engine had gone bye bye but it turns freely off the pulley so I don't think this is the case.
Now when I turn the ignition on the dash is like a Christmas tree with my map selection flashing and no read out what so ever for my central diff settings. In addition to this when I turn the key to try and start the engine absoloutly nothing happens what so ever apart from the clock in the centre of the dash going blank for the duration of the key being in the position. Any ideas ?
Does sound like main electrics. Check battery leads and main fuses. Also state of charge of battery...I once witnessed a catastrophic failure of a car battery, not mine, but it just exploded, acid everywhere.
So I've done all the basic checks and all grounds seem fine and voltage is reaching the right places. I've also used another battery to eliminate the current batteries as a possibility. My friend has just popped round with his snap on engine fault code reader and nothing there. Is seems to be immobilised but I don't understand why.
Is the big loom connector with the over centre grey lever in the top r/h corner of the engine bay secure, had one before that gave the same faults as yours, it was that.
I've just been to check that and it's all secure. I unplugged it and Plugged it back in to double check but still the same. Thanks for the suggestion, anything else will be appreciated
Sounds like you cannot give the starter enough amps but why i am not sure if all connections are ok and remembering that testing with a multimeter does not take the amps of a starter motor but will show the correct voltage so do the headlights work ok and if yes do they still work when trying to start the car.
I don't think it's a case of not supplying enough power as my car was running fine and then cut out. I think it's more loss of signal from the ecu or along those line. The reason I say this is the map is flashing and won't allow me to choose between different maps and the c diff settings also aren't functioning correctly.
I also read on NASIOC that there was a common fault with a connection at the fuse box getting water into it. Subaru issued a notice about it, but unfortunately cant find it for now.
I don't think it's a case of not supplying enough power as my car was running fine and then cut out. I think it's more loss of signal from the ecu or along those line. The reason I say this is the map is flashing and won't allow me to choose between different maps and the c diff settings also aren't functioning correctly.
Don, its not in limp mode it died and wont start at all he says.
Even if it won't start the "map is flashing and won't allow me to choose between different maps and the c diff settings also aren't functioning correctly" indicates limp mode
"Now when I turn the ignition on the dash is like a Christmas tree with my map selection flashing and no read out what so ever for my central diff settings."
If it lights up like a christmas tree then he should be able to get any codes read from the ECU
Until then it could be anything.
As said this is a main power problem, ie main connections at battery (2 big round plugs) or fusebox, could even be a slack connector at the ecu or a power wire rubbed through, could be there for ever trying to guess what the issue is, if your not good with electrical systems would get a auto electrician or take it to a subaru specialist as doubt very much it will be sorted out on the forum as could be anything.
I've done basic check if the main power circuit as I work as a cnc maintenance engineer I have an average understanding of electrical circuits. Everything seems to check out but that doesn't mean I havnt missed something I'm only human haha. I've got a mobile auto electrician coming to take a look for me this week so hopefully it will be sorted. Thanks for all your continued input guys I really appreciate it.
Rob that sounds like the cookie to me. Explain how you solved this please sir
First of all I'd suggest you get the fault read by someone with the Subaru Select Monitor & do an all systems diagnosis. It will be a B code as you need to interrogate the body module. chances are its a communication issue due to the fact the dash is flashing like a Christmas tree and the C-Diff is doing random things on the screen.
The last one we did we changed the body module and programmed it to the vehicle. really speaking it should also have 2 brand new keys coded to it as that's the recommended repair.
The communication issue stops the body module talking to the Engine control module so its immobilised good and proper.
Without seeing the vehicle I can only advise on what I found on the last one I had that wouldn't start, But it does sound very similar. Ours was a police hatch that cut out on active duty and wouldn't re start.
So all this was caused by a fuse located in the passenger foot well, I'm not sure what this module is but there is a 15 amp fuse blown there. Any ideas guys ?
Location wise that is the B220 fuse (relay block) for the following:-
A/F Oxygen sensor relay
Fuel pump relay
IG relay
Main relay
Electronic throttle control relay
The main relay supplies most of the other sensors.
Glad it turned out not as bad as it could have been.
Would be renewing both of those fuses to be on the safe side
Last edited by Don Clark; Nov 18, 2019 at 03:59 PM.
Problem with my hatch, advice please.
