Subaru Loyale - Recent Questions, Troubleshooting & Support - Page 3

The fuel pump relay is driver side, under dash, above brake pedal, mounted in steering column support bracket on 1991 Loyale this relay also performs an ignition system function

If the starter does not engage you will hear the "growling" in the cab which is usually the fuel pump and is a normal noise, more apparent because of the lack of engine noise. First thing to check is the wiring to the starter under the hood. If it is ok could be contacts in the starter solenoid , starter brushes or a"dead" starter. I would try tapping the starter with a SMALL hammer or the end of a I/2 inch breaker bar while having an assistant turn the key to attempt starting. Stand on driver's side, If spare is mounted under hood, remove spare. The starter is visible and can be tapped from there.

Is the sound coming from that wheel or the other one?

This is a problewm I have been researching. On the 91 Loyale there are two headlight relays. The relay for the left headlight also controls the instrument lights and the running lights. If the right relay is working and the left is not, the left headlight will be dim because of a back electrical path through the high beam indicator light on the dash, but the instrument and running lights will be out. I have been trying to find out where Subaru put these relays, but three Subaru service departments have been no help. One dealer's service department told me to remove the large bezel around the instrument panel. I did and the relays weren't there. Lots of luck.
John

Low oil could definitely cause this trouble. When a vehicle gets low on oil, the friction increases and that causes the pistons to move slower. Slower moving pistons means lower rpms which in turn slows the vehicle. If this condition remains, the parts will not only wear prematurely, they will actually begin to weld themselves together. I would suggest you go to a local mechanic and have a compression test done. I hope it all turns out well for you.

There is a very common problem on these early 90's Subaru's, for no reason, the main fusible link in the under hood fuse box next to the drivers side strut tower loves to blow. The symptoms are: no crank, no power to any accessories, completely dead when key is turned to any position as if the battery is disconnected. I had a plastic baggy with about five main fusible links in it, just in case one decided to blow during a trip. Here is a handy picture of what to look for. Replace it even if it looks good, most of the time the wire is toast and it looks fine.

When you say limps along, is it like the brakes are engaged?

Head gasket can be replaced. If crack in the block it depends on how bad it is, where it is and how much you want to put into it once you find it....if it is there. Discolored oil cap goo can be a hundred things. Have compression checked.

1. Hi Mike, maybe something got stirred up and lodged in the fuel filter? Maybe the fuel pump finally went? Can you hear the relay click and/or the fuel pump run when you turn on the ignition? Maybe some critter gnawed it's way through a wire or two; they really seem to like our Loyales. I just had one do this because the battery connection was good enough, but then slipped away.

Sounds like the alternator died and shorted out a main fuse.

most cars can be towed short distances(around 25-30 miles without damage in an emergency..but if the car is towed across country and it is all wheel drive, you need to put the entire car on a flatbed trailer..u-haul rents them..and they require a frame hitch to pull it..usually a stout truck or you can also rent one of their trucks to pull the trailer..