Chrish8r's 92 Subaru SVX 7/17/15 New Owner Totaled It...

[nikolaus.conrad]

Seems legit.

[chrish8r]

Here is a picture I forgot to transfer off my camera:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/03/SVXbackshot_zps0733b3a0-1.jpg

[chrish8r]

So I think I have finally found the actual culprit of the draw/periodic starting issue of the SVX!! I believe the contacts on the starter are bad. I have the same exact thing happen that happens in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjZNvv6tr60

I may just replace the starter when I get the chance. Hopefully it is easily accesible to buy and not hard to find!

[chrish8r]

I compared the starter in my Legacy to the one in the SVX. They are pretty much the same.

The part that I have designated the problem is the "spade" connector part on the solenoid. It has much more play than the one on my Legacy. Also, when moved into other positions, the cars interior light don't even turn on....

Here is the part on the SVX(black plastic connector on the left):
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/04/20130405_180245_zps6edc37af-1.jpg

And the one on the Legacy(again, black plastic connector on the left):
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/04/20130405_180130_zps135bafc3-1.jpg


After looking on how to change the starter in the SVX, it is going to be a pain because of how crammed in everything is...

[eekay]

SVX image didn't load. Looks like you forgot to finish with the ending "]" in "[/IMG]".

[chrish8r]

SVX image didn't load. Looks like you forgot to finish with the ending "]" in "[/IMG]".
Yfixed....sorry about that. Haha

[eekay]

If that connector is loose, I would definitely replace it or tighten it up. I would imagine you could use just about any replacement as long as it's the correct size.

[Scimitar]

Does yours try to turn over like the video, or just click? If you're only getting a "click" with no turnover at all, it could be the starter interrupt relay under the dash. It's a standard Bosch style 5-pin relay, common problem with the SVX

[chrish8r]

Does yours try to turn over like the video, or just click? If you're only getting a "click" with no turnover at all, it could be the starter interrupt relay under the dash. It's a standard Bosch style 5-pin relay, common problem with the SVX

I did replace that relay with another Bosch one a couple months back. Right now the car is so dead, it doesn't even try to start without being jumped. With a decent charge on the battery, the car would try to turn over and give that "umph" type noise then just click a lot. This would repeat when I take the key out an try again.


On another note, I may sell the SVX if this guy offers me atleast 3000. He posted a wanted ad for a SVX and I sent him my info.

[chrish8r]

I asked about the aforementioned connector on a SVX page and they told me it is the 12v ignition wire.
There was this brownish goop on the inside:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/05/20130501_150335_zps1de707ed-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/20130501_150335_zps1de707ed.jpg.html)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/05/20130501_150349_zps547e285a-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/20130501_150349_zps547e285a.jpg.html)

So my battery was still under Warranty so I took back the dead one and it was replaced with a brand new one. I put it in and the car started up fine. The car was fine for about two days with multiple startups per day until yesterday where the car was sitting for about 10 minutes(the car sat for 5 hours while I was at work earlier that day and started up fine). The battery read 12.5v but needed jumped. I drove the car to work this morning and it started with some hesitation. After being at work for 5 hours, the car started fine. It was just weird how the car didn't start that one time when alone for 10 minutes but started right up after sitting for 5 hours.

[SILINC3R]

That goop I am suspecting is dielectric greese that has gone bad with dirt and debris over time. Just clean that kind of stuff with electronics cleaner. Also make sure you have postive contact with the battery. I had the same issue cause I was being lazy. Would drive some where park the car, come back and the car would start. Open the hood, push down on the positie and negative terminal wires and bingo. Door ajar chimer would sound off and car would start. I suspect that is all it is.

[SILINC3R]

Also the problem with the dead battery could be caused by not always getting charged from the alt. If you jump it and it starts the battery technicaly doesn't have to be there. The alternator will keep the car running unless it is bad.

[chrish8r]

That goop I am suspecting is dielectric greese that has gone bad with dirt and debris over time. Just clean that kind of stuff with electronics cleaner. Also make sure you have postive contact with the battery. I had the same issue cause I was being lazy. Would drive some where park the car, come back and the car would start. Open the hood, push down on the positie and negative terminal wires and bingo. Door ajar chimer would sound off and car would start. I suspect that is all it is.

I bet i probably was dielectric grease that had passed its usability. Haha. Since I have cleaned it out, it has been starting pretty reliably.

[chrish8r]

I have had this issue with the water spots/oxidation on the black paint on my SVX. I posted this last year in the "ask a detailer" thread and I never went and did what was suggested(out of laziness/ procrastination).

Here is what it looked like!
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/05/20120825135056-1.jpg

I used a product that I bought a while ago specifically for this, but never used it. It is called Turtle Wax Color Back I washed the car today and decided to try it out to see if it helped or if it was crap. I have to say there was a significant difference in the before and after. Im not sure how well this will hold up, but I will keep tabs on that.

Here is the after!
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/05/20130516_144048_zps068612fa-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/20130516_144048_zps068612fa.jpg.html)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/05/20130516_144037_zps5270a77a-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/20130516_144037_zps5270a77a.jpg.html)

[nikolaus.conrad]

That looks great!!

[chrish8r]

That looks great!!

I was pretty amazed with how it worked. I just hope it holds up and doesnt regress like the headlight restoration kits do...

[chrish8r]

SVX is down....Started the car last night and all the dash lights were on but went off after a minute or two. Drove it about a mile or two to a parking lot and the lights started to dim and the power steering was not working. Tried to retrieve the car this morning and it would not want to idle and the gas peddle only made it die. Not sure what the issue is but I have a feeling it is electrical. Going to have it towed tomorrow. Any suggestions? Ive been thinking the alternator but Im not sure how that would cause the horrific idle and no acceleration while pressing the gas...

[xoSubieLegacyxo]

Sounds like a dead alternator

[chrish8r]

Well the fuse block i had to replace a few months back had a blown fuse... I didnt look there because it is a little hidden behind the battery. Only had enough time to put the fuse in before work. Hopefully that is why and also that it doesnt keep blowing fuses...

[chrish8r]

After replacing the fuse, the car is back up and running. I have been driving it around for the past couple of days to see how it acts.

Here are some pictures of the car:

Where she left me sit the night it died...
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/07/20130702_010826_zpsc8116337-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/20130702_010826_zpsc8116337.jpg.html)

The blown fuse(with some oily stuff in it)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/07/20130704_194726_zps8c21979e-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/20130704_194726_zps8c21979e.jpg.html)

Replaced the crappy and broken winter blade
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/07/20130701_172655_zpsf0685d90-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/20130701_172655_zpsf0685d90.jpg.html)

with a brand new blade
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/07/20130701_173220_zpsb7863697-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/20130701_173220_zpsb7863697.jpg.html)

My brake rotors after being one for a little over one year. No rust in the center area and just a little around the edges. Not bad for Ebay rotors!
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/07/20130704_195328_zps8a762fa4-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/20130704_195328_zps8a762fa4.jpg.html)

And my latest little aesthetic venture, plastidipping the lower "lip" of the front bumper that was peeling paint and looked horrible. I plan on adding an EZlip to the bumper to give it that little boost in looks that it needs.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/07/20130710_143432_zps0ceeb0d2-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/20130710_143432_zps0ceeb0d2.jpg.html)

[xoSubieLegacyxo]

you need to plasti dip the lower grille and part of the bumper like Mike Shannon did to his wagon...

...like this!

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/946076_10151455914727637_227052289_n.jpg

[chrish8r]

Ive honestly been considering doing that but Im a little back and forth on it because it will be hard to find good "body line" like the Wrx has to contain the plastidip...

I also learned that whoever repainted the front of the SVX after an accident by a prev owner didn't do it back to stock. A few SVX heads said that the grill/ air dams on the lighter colored cars were not painted white from the factory.

[chrish8r]

So the SVX is down again thanks the previous owners interpretable alternator mod. Ive searched both forums and have not seen another setup that remotely resembles this one. The main problem seems to come from the distribution block that takes the big(4 gauge?) wire from the alternator and splits it into two 14-10 gauge wires. One of the wires goes into the loom that comes from the fender by the battery. The other one disappears into the bottom of the fuse box. The distribution block seems to be getting very hot and causing the plastic housing to melt. If I cant figure it out with your help, what do you think it would cost to get this redone the right way? Thank you

More wires coming from the alternator than seem necessary.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/07/20130717_130056_zps0ce5a901-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/20130717_130056_zps0ce5a901.jpg.html)

Distribution block where the 4 gauge goes in an the two 14-10 gauge wires come out.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/07/20130717_130118_zps23e23244-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/20130717_130118_zps23e23244.jpg.html)

None of the wires from the alternator go to the battery terminals like the other mods I have seen.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/07/20130717_130140_zps77395572-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/20130717_130140_zps77395572.jpg.html)

[chrish8r]

This is most definitely the problem spot of the wiring. Im no electrical guru, but I dead sure this in not functioning properly...

(vvv Photobucket video vvv)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/08/th_20130815_095506_zps03d86f93-1.jpg (http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff419/chrish8r/20130815_095506_zps03d86f93.mp4)

Once I get some free time this semester(and funds), Ill try to get some local help with how to rewire the alternator so the car is back to being a for the most part reliable mode of transportation.

[chrish8r]

So I believe I made some progress in the right direction with regards to fixing the wiring issue. I decided to take the large gauge wire that ran into that fuse block and run it straight to the positive terminal of the battery. I do plan on putting a fuse in-line to protect the battery but it is fine for now. The car successfully made a 1hr 45min round trip yesterday to a meet.

I washed the car earlier that day and took some night pictures at the meet in experiment.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/09/IMG_3819_zps3eff9e51-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/IMG_3819_zps3eff9e51.jpg.html)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/09/IMG_3826_zps42bec50d-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/IMG_3826_zps42bec50d.jpg.html)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/09/IMG_3827_zpsa74082ac-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/IMG_3827_zpsa74082ac.jpg.html)

[Guig'z]

Buddy do you need parts? I am parting out mine if you want some rare parts!

[chrish8r]

Buddy do you need parts? I am parting out mine if you want some rare parts!

Do you have a sale thread? I woupd be interested to see what parts you have for sale.

[Guig'z]

I have a complete SvX minus the motor-motor harness and driver seat!

Add me on facebook Guillaume Galdes

[chrish8r]

I lost the center cap on the wheel that was plugged recently. I guess it was loose when the shop fixxed it. It most likely fell out during a little celebratory cruise i had later that day.

Missing center cap:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/10/ahytusun-1.jpg

I temporarily fixxed it with the aluminum can method:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/10/a9e3ega3-1.jpg

Ive been searching for center caps for these wheels but have not found any. Wheels are Motegi dp5.

[chrish8r]

So I have been driving this car around for the past week because I ran into some rust issues when doing the brakes on my wagon. The car was doing great up until yesterday. I drove the 18 miles to school and once I backed into the parking spot, smoke started to come out from under the hood. I turned the car off, popped the hood and hopped out. There was a large amount of coolant under the intake manifold that was burning up on the driver side of the engine. After finishing my two classes, I checked and found my coolant completely empty and a big wet spot on the ground. I then called AAA and had it towed back to my mechanic. The car is due for inspection in few days so I figure why not get that done awhile.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/10/20131028_154115_zps202c5b7b-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/20131028_154115_zps202c5b7b.jpg.html)

[harrymaneuvers]

Hard to imagine how the all of the coolant drained out if the leak was up by the intake manifold :smt017

[chrish8r]

Hard to imagine how the all of the coolant drained out if the leak was up by the intake manifold :smt017

I probably exaggerated a little bit...:P

But my reservoir was empty and i couldnt see any looking down in the radiator.

[Navi271]

That looks like a lot of coolant on the ground. I suspect it's something toward the bottom of the cooling system. My car did this once, and it was hole in the bypass hose located directly above the lower radiator hose. It decided to leak most of the coolant out overnight.

I'd start searching for leaks under the car! Maybe pour some coolant in and watch for a leak.

[chrish8r]

There was a fracture in one of the hoses underneath the intake manifold that caused the leak. Thay has been fixxed and car is running great.

[xoSubieLegacyxo]

There was a fracture in one of the hoses underneath the intake manifold that caused the leak. Thay has been fixxed and car is running great.

NOTORIOUS for cracks there. Good to hear shes on the road!

[chrish8r]

Im glad too. My dad took it to work last week down and back to middle river and it was fine for him.

Funny thing is that he got pulled over by a state trooper coming home one night because my license plate cover was too dark. The trooper "behooved" him to remove it. Haha

[chrish8r]

She wont be coming out this time in the snow, maybe next time.https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/12/ry5ajuge-1.jpg

[chrish8r]

For the past week, this car has been my dd because of the legacy being down with a broken header and expired inspection. The car is fun to drive and can get up to speed when you want it to but its not my legacy. The tires are reaching the end of their life and are summer tires so they do horrible in the snow we recently had. These cars are very tail happy with bad tires.

Here is a picture I took of it the one night:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2014/02/IMG_4680_zpsac50297a-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/IMG_4680_zpsac50297a.jpg.html)

[eekay]

Looks good! And, tail happy is much more predictable than understeer. :)

[98legwag]

I drove Rubie_25GT's SVX while he had it. The transmission in those is geared 100% wrong. Great highway cruiser but it does not accelerate from a stop.

[chrish8r]

I seem to have developed a decent power steering fluid leak so tomorrow will be spent looking into that and trying to pin point the leak....

[chrish8r]

As of today, the car is SOLD!!!! Its sad, but having 3 Subarus was too much for right now. Hopefully the new owner takes good care of it. But he is local-ish so I might see it around every now and then.

[eekay]

Bah! I'm so sad now! :(

[chrish8r]

Its old news by now but I figured I would update this while thinking about it.......

About a week or two after selling the SVX, A buddy who lives local sent me a picture(That I cant find now). I then found the pictures the local fire dept posted on facebook of my old car.....

First here is the building the car hit. The impact shifted the building about a foot from where it was and condemned it. Only reason I know that is because my coworker and her friend lived there until the accident.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/07/10354168_790691410972280_315632961462673-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/10354168_790691410972280_3156329614626734619_n_zpsuffcsq9g.jpg.html)

The car hit the building then ramped off the embankment and rolled once or twice. The police report(heard from the people who lived there) says the car was going almost 100 mph...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/07/10387689_790691464305608_331896157373077-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/10387689_790691464305608_3318961573730775689_n_zpsvjfzfecf.jpg.html)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/07/10419454_790691440972277_902981280329099-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/10419454_790691440972277_902981280329099568_n_zps33gkvll1.jpg.html)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/07/10426265_790691504305604_245051391339615-1.jpg (http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/chrish8r/media/10426265_790691504305604_2450513913396153512_n_zpsgt4w97my.jpg.html)

[foohfooh]

Whhhhaaadaaaaf. That is insane. Bro that windshield/roof looks like it was peeled off with a can opener.

Man i re read this thread and its a bummer for the car and to see the pics is absolutely creepy.

[Scimitar]

Holy frack!! I knew SVX's were tough, but to shift a building a whole foot? And I thought the guy blowing up the engine in mine less than a month after I sold it was bad...

[98legwag]

I am willing to bet the fire department cut the roof off to get the driver out.

[dynonacht]

Was this accident fatal?

[chrish8r]

The fire department did cut the roof off but it was not fatal. I saw the kid who bought it a week after this happened. He had no casts or anything.

[Rubie_25GT]

This is so depressing. I hate seeing SVX's destroyed. It's like hunting Panda bears... not enough left. Plus I would hate to see my old SVX smashed into an oblivion :smt087

[Dead91silvia]

Wow... That is crazy and little depressing. I remember driving by the mall headed to Lows with my dad. We get to this intersection and I see this waded up Lexus and said to myseld, "that had to hurt" and then I saw a little Nissan Hardbody pickup... that I sold a month before. So depressing. I almost kept it because it ran and drove so much better then my Toyota truck. The guy had it repainted and all too, the clear was all flaking off when I sold it.

Good to hear everyone was ok though. Thats a bit crazy to shift a building like that, but looking at the construction, not shocking. Looks like post an pier.

[Tylerhartman]

EG33 Swap Anybody? :laughing7::laughing7: