Justy starting problem

[theChas.]

My '89 Justy (carbed, manual) has a bad habit of not starting, at times. It
may go months without any problems, and then it won't fire. It always has
fuel, the problem is the ingition. After waiting 10 mintues, it usually
starts fine, but not after 8 mins. My shop had it for 5 weeks and could not
locate the problem. It would not start for them most of the time, so they
had it in the ideal situation to trouble shoot. They changed out and tried
every item in the ignition from the computer to the the firewall items, 1st
oxygen sensor, key switch, to the distributor. They consulted the Suburu
agency in the neighboring city and still could not locate the fault. Most
times it will start after a tow, or coasting downhill. I feel low battery
voltage (while cranking) might be the problem...???? Shop said it was fine.
.. . . Sure would appreciate it if someone knows of such a 'quirk' about
these little cars, and the remedy..thanks in advance.

 

[theChas.]

Additionally, the 'check engine' light is usually on. Its code is for
'mixture control solenoid' which is fine. I replaced it and still the
problem. In fact I purchased an extra carb top half (where that solenoid is,
and the empty chamber sensor) and both are ok, on both units.

 

[Daigle]

Additionally, the 'check engine' light is usually on. Its code is for
'mixture control solenoid' which is fine. I replaced it and still the
problem. In fact I purchased an extra carb top half (where that solenoid is,
and the empty chamber sensor) and both are ok, on both units.

I had this problem with a '97 Outback Legacy. Sometimes it just
wouldn't turn over. This is probably not the problem you are having
with the '89 Justy, but... it turned out to be user error.

Turns out that the car won't even attempt to crank without the clutch
fully depressed, regardless of whether or not it was in gear. And the
difference between fully depressed and not is really very subtle,
there's like an extra centimeter there that I wasn't feeling.

Anyway, to me, that points to a switch somewhere, switches mean wires,
and if your Justy has a similar safety switch it could have a fault
somewhere in that circuit, which would explain the symptom.

 

[theChas.]

I had this problem with a '97 Outback Legacy. Sometimes it just
wouldn't turn over. This is probably not the problem you are having
with the '89 Justy, but... it turned out to be user error.

Turns out that the car won't even attempt to crank without the clutch
fully depressed, regardless of whether or not it was in gear. And the
difference between fully depressed and not is really very subtle,
there's like an extra centimeter there that I wasn't feeling.

Anyway, to me, that points to a switch somewhere, switches mean wires,
and if your Justy has a similar safety switch it could have a fault
somewhere in that circuit, which would explain the symptom.

**********************
Thank you for your reply.
My problem seems to be the failure of an ignition electrical component after
it gets hot. I have had the car recently stop running while city driving,
and after waiting 10 mins...it started no problem. Short city trips seem to
be of no problem....
Tomorrow the shop I use is going to furnish me with a schematic of the
wiring, so I can check for maybe a condensor, or resistor that is dropping
out. The computer may have a resistor dropping the 12v. to something lower,
and this is getting hot and failing.
I can crank and move the car with the clutch engaged.
again . . .thanks.