93 Impreaza 1.8L won't start

[Legacy 2.2T SS]

OK GUYS!
Sorry if this has already been answered if so please move this thread to the best place. But i couldn't find any other thread like this.....

But my car was running just fine tell one day i got out to start the car after a long days of work and nothing.... it will turn over like its going to start then nothing.... I tested my coil pack and got one at a junk yard.... nothing, replaced the spark plugs with NGK nothing... tested my plugs with an OHMS test (GOOD) tested my crank pos. sense (GOOD) camshaft sense (GOOD) checked fuel pump/Filter(GOOD). So what next you think? its getting fuel and its getting spark..... I got a crank position sensor and camshaft sensor as well from the junk yard, maybe ill replace those and see... btw can you clean the sensor's off? or just leave them be? THANKS FOR ANY SUGGESTIONS!

Bryce

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[rhino6303]

One possibility could be your key ignition switch (where your key goes in). Not exactly the same, but I had similar issues with my honda and decided to check the ignition switch. I had spark and everything like that, but the problem was that as the engine would fire and I would let the key back, the broken ignition would not allow the car to start. Just trying to give you another idea.

[Legacy 2.2T SS]

Originally Posted by rhino6303

One possibility could be your key ignition switch (where your key goes in). Not exactly the same, but I had similar issues with my honda and decided to check the ignition switch. I had spark and everything like that, but the problem was that as the engine would fire and I would let the key back, the broken ignition would not allow the car to start. Just trying to give you another idea.

Thanks man! i'll give that a try because i have a diff ignition on there too because its a salvaged car and the guy that took it didnt have the key so i had to put a diff on in...ALSO, i changed out the crank position sensor and still same old cranking...... THANKS!
KEEP THEM COMING GUYS!

[Legacy 2.2T SS]

OK, so it was the igition either..... and we figured it wasn't the fuel pump, fliter either because we ended up spraying some starting fluid in it too. so far we have air, fuel, spark...... all the symtoms to START!! and we towed it assuming a 93 impreza L would be able to get a computer check from CHECKER!!! nope..... PLUS no compression gauge EITHER! wtf kinda auto store is this SERIOUSLY! lol but anyway BTW neither did autozone.... So I had to go to work or i was gonna get fired so my buddys (WHICH ARE SO AWESOME) stayed and came to a 95% rate of its the Ignitor modeul that is causing the coil pack not to spark good enough.... SO HOPE FOR THE BEST, and pray that is the problem for my good ol subie

I'll keep you people posted.

[yarrgh]

wait, don't tell us other stories, just the facts. did you get a compression test? is the timing belt intact?

[Legacy 2.2T SS]

Originally Posted by yarrgh

wait, don't tell us other stories, just the facts. did you get a compression test? is the timing belt intact?

No, didn't get the compression test done, but yes the timing belt is in tacked. It is indeed need a change.
BTW, the ignitor moduel did not change the starting.... still turning over but no start. NEXT TEST THE ECU. tomorrow. i'll tell you how it goes.....

[Legacy 2.2T SS]

JUST A THOUGHT~..... i have my catback off, would a clogged cat cause it not to start?.... just throwing that out there if i am getting wet spark plugs of gas do i need to check my injector?

[fastenova]

Another thing to check is the idle air control solenoid. I'm not sure if it's design is the same on your 1.8 as it is on 2.5 and 2.2s, but if that's not opening, you won't be getting any air into the motor at idle.

Have you tried opening the throttle just a little when you're trying to start it? Like maybe 10-20%? If your IACV is not functioning then this should allow the motor to fire up.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Legacy 2.2T SS

OK, so it was the igition either..... and we figured it wasn't the fuel pump, fliter either because we ended up spraying some starting fluid in it too. so far we have air, fuel, spark...... all the symtoms to START!! and we towed it assuming a 93 impreza L would be able to get a computer check from CHECKER!!! nope..... PLUS no compression gauge EITHER! wtf kinda auto store is this SERIOUSLY! lol but anyway BTW neither did autozone.... So I had to go to work or i was gonna get fired so my buddys (WHICH ARE SO AWESOME) stayed and came to a 95% rate of its the Ignitor modeul that is causing the coil pack not to spark good enough.... SO HOPE FOR THE BEST, and pray that is the problem for my good ol subie

I'll keep you people posted.

It's not Checker's fault that you towed an OBD-I car to them and expected an OBD-II scanner to plug into a car that doesn't have a port for one. They're an auto parts store. They are not a FREE mechanic. I understand that you are frustrated but it's not their fault.

Have you actually pulled the codes? Do you know how to connect the plugs under the dash and pull the codes and run the car through a diagnostic cycle? This should have been the FIRST thing you did before you started throwing parts at it. You have now introduced so many variables to the equation with your kitchen sink approach to mechanics that you could actually have multiple problems now if you happened to remove something like a perfectly good CPS and replaced it with a bad one from a dismantler. Run diagnostics and get back to us...

[yorodo69]

bump!

[Legacy 2.2T SS]

OK. First of all i've never ran a diagnostic on a 1993 subaru, So tell me how to hook it up and what kind of tool it has to be to check it out please

[Matt Monson]

You will need to do a search for the list of what the codes mean, or check back with them and ask people to tell you what they are. The black and green connectors you are looking for are under the dash behind the steering column. If you look up under there they will be tucked away. They will not currently be plugged in to each other. When you are done you need to return them to that state or the car will not start.

1. Read Memory to check for CELs: connect the two black connectors together and turn the key to the on position. If there's no stored codes the CEL light will just flash on and off at 1/2 second intervals. If there's problems, it will blink sort of like morse code, giving you two digits to indicate a number for a code. If there are multiple codes it will pause between codes and move on to the next one. Then it will just cycle through to the first one again and repeat the loop until you turn off the key and unplug the connectors.

2. System Check mode: This tests all accessories that are run by the ECU. Connect the green connectors and turn the key to on. You will hear the car run through it's testing of the items that are controlled by the ECU switched 12v power. It will start with the fuel pump, move onto the radiator fans, etc. Clearly it won't tell you if the fuel filter is clogged or your plugs are fouled, but it will let you test that the major electrical components are getting power and responding.

ps. In the future, if you ever buy an OBD-II car and need to "rent" a reader, you don't need to tow the car to the auto parts store. If you've got a credit card, they take a deposit on the card, hand you the reader and you take it home. It's free of charge and they remove the charge from your card when you return their peice of equipment. Many auto parts stores offer this service on more things than just the scanner. It never hurts to ask what your particular store has available to "rent". You never know what expensive tool you may need and might not have to buy it when you do need it.

[Lukeb1991]

I've got a similar issue, but it'll start fine when it's warmed up. Crank crank crank + some throttle till it finally fires, catches a bit and stumbles to an uneven idle. After about 40 seconds of idling you can give it some gas and it'll rev up/down just fine. After about 2-3 minutes you can shut it off and it'll start up just fine.

The Problem is getting it started initially. Any ideas? Got fuel, spark(new wires/plugs), intake(thought it may be IAC, but even with a bit of throttle when attempting to start it does the same). Alternator needs replacement, it can't maintain output voltage (pulses, warm and cold).

I need ideas...

[yarrgh]

Originally Posted by Lukeb1991

I've got a similar issue, but it'll start fine when it's warmed up. Crank crank crank + some throttle till it finally fires, catches a bit and stumbles to an uneven idle. After about 40 seconds of idling you can give it some gas and it'll rev up/down just fine. After about 2-3 minutes you can shut it off and it'll start up just fine.

The Problem is getting it started initially. Any ideas? Got fuel, spark(new wires/plugs), intake(thought it may be IAC, but even with a bit of throttle when attempting to start it does the same). Alternator needs replacement, it can't maintain output voltage (pulses, warm and cold).

I need ideas...

That's gonna be pretty tough to diagnose on your motorscooter, seeing as how this is a subaru forum.

FILL OUT YOUR PROFILE. What kind of car? Mileage? Mods? CEL codes? Throw us a frickin' bone. It's pretty amazing that you know of an issue (alt.) and yet you're still asking questions here. Fix the known issues first, then bug us. We like to help troubleshoot things, but we're not gonna wipe your ass for you.

[Luckyduck919]

Originally Posted by Legacy 2.2T SS

No, didn't get the compression test done, but yes the timing belt is in tacked. It is indeed need a change.

Wait what? So is the timing belt intact or does it need to be changed?

[Wrencher86]

What the hell?

This thread is old

[Lukeb1991]

Originally Posted by yarrgh

That's gonna be pretty tough to diagnose on your motorscooter, seeing as how this is a subaru forum.

FILL OUT YOUR PROFILE. What kind of car? Mileage? Mods? CEL codes? Throw us a frickin' bone. It's pretty amazing that you know of an issue (alt.) and yet you're still asking questions here. Fix the known issues first, then bug us. We like to help troubleshoot things, but we're not gonna wipe your ass for you.

Your being kind of a jerk about this.. So what if I filled out my profile and I'm driving an 09 Subaru wrx.

My post was in a forum titled "93 impreza won't start 1.8L"

The alternator is not affecting the start up. I was asking if anyone had any ideas of where to go after what I had checked:
"Got fuel, spark(new wires/plugs), intake(thought it may be IAC, but even with a bit of throttle when attempting to start it does the same)"

I was simply asking for advice from some people that know Subarus better than me of possible KNOWN and COMMON issues with that year/engine.

Other's on this forum have proven much nicer and more helpful than you.

[Lukeb1991]

Unless you believe sharing technical advice/knowledge is wiping someone's ass for them. Although I almost recall that being something called teaching. Wrencher86 and Jessekrs123 shared a bit of knowledge with me and I learned from it, the vehicle is running now.
And they, mostly, just simply recommended that I re-check something I had already checked.

Thanks for leaving a good lasting impression of yourself though, Yarrgh .

[Wrencher86]

It would still be helpful if you filled out your profile. Also, if you have a known issue and you're POSITIVE it's not affecting what you're asking about then don't even mention it. Kind of throws things off.