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Truck sitting for 6 weeks, now 4wd won't engage.

Discussion in 'Subaru Sambar' started by Kody902, May 24, 2020.

  1. Kody902

    Kody902 Member

    The alternator was seized, throttle cable was sticky, fixed those. Where do I start on the 4wd?
     
  2. rkrenicki

    rkrenicki Active Member

    Where was it sitting where it deteriorated like that in only 6 weeks?

    4WD is controlled by vacuum, I would surmise that you have a vacuum leak somewhere.
     
  3. Adam Wheeler

    Adam Wheeler Active Member

    Start at the 4wd actuator and trace the lines from there. I had a cracked hose on mine that was causing the 4wd to occasionally remain engaged even after turning it off.
     

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  4. Kody902

    Kody902 Member

    I parked it just after the last snowstorm, so I probably have salt stuck everyehere and I assume that's what seized things up. The engine whirls, i'm 90% sure it gets spark(truck won't start now, had it running and now it's not starting again - maybe it tried to engage 4wd and something is locked up? I don't know too much about mechanics, i'm learning as I go) and fuel.

    I have no clue what's wrong.
     
  5. Adam Wheeler

    Adam Wheeler Active Member

    Start with the simple stuff first, check the fuses. If for whatever reason the 4wd shorted and popped the fuse, the truck wont start at all, as that fuse is shared with the fuel pump.
     
    Limestone likes this.
  6. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    Kody,
    Life is a learning experience! We all started some where! Keep at it and, eventually, you'll get it! Remember no questions, that a young person, who is trying, are stupid! I just can't stand when you try to help some one, and there not appreciated! It took a lot for most of us to get where we are today, and heck were still learning!!! Adam is right, start with the simple stuff first, and eliminate things as you go, trying to eliminate the obvious! I can't tell you how many times, I've gone back, and checked on something, again, and again, and even again! Especially when it's electrical, that can make your head spin a little, and the Good Lord knows, that I can't afford any more head spinnin! LOL!!! Good Luck!
    Limestone
     
    fmartin_gila likes this.
  7. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    Kody,
    I agree with rk, where the heck was this thing sitting for 6 wks. that it deteriorated, and froze things up that quick? If your in an area that this is going to be a constant problem, then your going to have to consider, all your hard work and effort moving fore ward, is going to cause you to take two steps back every time you move fore ward one step! If you get my drift! I've seen some pretty extreme weather conditions, here in my area, especially dealing with SALT! It's very important to try to get as much of that SALT off, as you can, if possible, when possible! Naturally, when you don't have an inside facility to rinse off, and wash equipment, it makes it harder! With that being said, as you move fore ward in your repairs, maintenance, preventative maintenance, including, lubrication, of moving parts, after being cleaned, and using di electric grease on electrical components, and electrical contacts! A lot of common sense, and preparation can be done, ahead of time, to prevent future break downs, and interruption of service!
    Limestone
     
  8. Kody902

    Kody902 Member

    Yeah I was actually going to take it to the car wash once I got it running again but on the trip there is when it started having issues.

    I'm thinking because it mostly had issues of dying when parked and idling, maybe it's a fuel pump issue? When I was on the gas it was fine. A friend mentioned it could be that it had more pressure when I was revving it/driving, than sitting at idle so maybe the fuel pump isn't giving enough pressure at idle and it dies?

    I don't know.
     
  9. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    Kody,
    Hey, your trying! Keep moving foreward. The more, that you get to know your vehicle, the better you can address the issues with it! The fuel pressure should remain, the same based on need, and only increasing in volume, not pressure! What does the fuel, look like? Clean? Any idea the last time the fuel filter was replaced? By checking fuel flow, disconnecting the fuel line coming out of the pump, going into the carb., and placing the line,(tube), into a glass jar, you can take a look at the fuel! Color, dirty, clean, etc......To try to start out easy, and keep it simple, you might want to change the fuel filter, first, it's the easiest thing to do! How old does the fuel pump look? Does it look like it's been in there forever? It could be getting tired! Any past history records come with your vehicle? Some qualified mechanics will discount this, and for good reason! They've seen a lot of good, or new parts, and fairly new, go bad, or fail! So your unit is a 1991, Makes me wonder, what the inside of your fuel tank looks like? It's pretty hard to tell, without, pulling it, and removing the largest, blank on top, and shining a light inside, and getting a good look at what it might look like! I'm guessing, that you probably have a plug, on the bottom of your tank, to drain, water, dirt, and the likes. Remember, water is heavier than fuel, that's why it settles on the bottom! After your unit has set, for a bit, let's say overnight, first thing in the morning, or before you start it and move it, shloshing it around, spray some, PB BLASTER on the plug,(any good penetrating oil), remove the plug, carefully, with a socket, trying not bugger, the plug up! That's why I like using a socket! Remember, this plug might not have moved in a long time, possibly forever, since, installation, and the threads on the plug are probably submersed in water, condensation at the bottom of the tank! When removing the plug, do so carefully, it likes to splash and go all over! I like to use a large plastic oil pan, and grab the first of the drained fuel, into a clean glass jar, so that, I can let it set, and show me, with a visual test, how much water, and dirt came out! I like to put a little never seize on the threads of the plug before I put it back in, but all this at one time takes a lot, so you might want to do it twice, cause you only have two hands! LOL! You can never have too clean a fuel! NEVER! You might want to have a little extra fuel on hand, in a gas can, in case you drain too much out, you'll need enough to get back to the gas station!o_O Just a few pointers, I realize your fairly new to this, don't let all this overwhelm you, go slow and take your time, this is all good stuff to learn, and can be used for a very long time! Good Luck!
    Limestone
     
  10. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    Kody,
    On another note; It's been my practice my whole life to lubricate, moving parts after, they've been cleaned, with either penetrating oil, or some sort of spray, with a small straw sticking out the nozzle, to direct, a small amount to where I want it! From observing many extremely good mechanics over the yrs., I've learned a few trick, that I'd like to share! I do have a full compliment on the shelf of different kinds of spray, weather it be silicone spray, for door latches, wd-40 for light duty contact points, or a white lithium spray grease for heavier contact points! PB Blaster sees a lot of action in my shop, as does KROIL, Extremely use full on really tough frozen nuts and bolts! These practices will save you a lot of money in unforeseen repairs down the rd. I always revert back to my old friend Tim, who always "said something slippery is better than nothing at all"! With that in mind, if you just use a can of all purpose wd-40 on things, it's better than nothing at all! Some conditions are extremely dusty and dirty, and dirt like to stick to oil, so with that in mind, that's why cleaning first is a good practice! Just a few more tips!
    Limestone
     
  11. Kody902

    Kody902 Member

    Okay, so I got home this morning and got mom to turn the key for me to on while I sat by the gas tank, the fuel pump sounds to be working fine. Also, clear gas through the (recently new) fuel filter. So, fuel, check.

    Spark is good, and the engine whirls when I turn the key.

    My next guess from what a friend says at the moment is that the choke or something may be up in the carb? Because when it was running it was fine while on the gas, but putterred out after about 30 seconds of sitting still and idling. Thoughts?

    Engine also did sound fine when it was running, no misfire or anything.

    The 4wd may be partially engaged, when I was driving it home that night I had a wicked vibration in the front left wheel whenever I turned to the left. Not sure. That was also the problem brake, so I dunno. Figure that out after, need the thing to run first lol.
     
  12. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    Kody,
    So I'm trying to figure out what's going on with your unit! I just really don't have enough info with what your unit is doing to try to decipher, and help! So bear with me! So when you got home, you decided to have mom turn the key for you. What led to this? Did you have troubles on the way home? If so, what troubles? So, you can see fuel running through, a visible filter, correct? You can hear the fuel pump working, and are assuming it's pumping fuel to the carb. Reasonable! Your trying, and learning! Good work! So, I'm wondering a couple things. When you say the engine whirls, I assume that means it's turning, but possibly not turning over, to start? Could be a choke problem! I'm wondering what the plugs look like? They always tell a story! Just by their color! Wet, dry, dark, light! To me, it's still not definite between fuel and spark! It was running, and then stopped like it wasn't getting fuel, any more, possibly a choke, fuel, problem, and not, spark or electrical! (Thinking out loud here)! Not real familiar with the Sambar, hoping guys with more experience with the Sambar can weigh in! You might want to take a look at past post's in the forum under Sambar, starting issues, you'l be surprised what you can learn! Good Luck!
    Liestone
     
  13. Ohkei Dohkei

    Ohkei Dohkei Active Member

    So you fuel pump is pumping fuel, but is it getting to the carburetor? There is a fuel cutoff solenoid before the carb that might be closed/mostly closed. try squirting a little gas or starter fluid directly into the carb and see if it runs. If it does, it might be the solenoid, or the fuse that powers it.
     
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2020
    Limestone likes this.
  14. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    That's a great place to start! Wasn't sure if he had those on his carb. or not!
     
  15. Kody902

    Kody902 Member

    It was sitting in the garage, I didn't drive it home, just got mom to turn the key when I got home and she was awake so that I could sit by the gas tank and make sure I wasn't just hearing things(dad said I should hear the pump, and I did).

    I was beginning to think carburator or choke as well. Because when it ran, it was fine while I had my foot on the pedal, but when it was sitting at idle it would putter out.

    Spark plugs are brand new, wires are good. Engine whirls, it didn't kick like it was going to start.
     
  16. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    Okay,
    I went back and re read your whole post, My bad, your having the same problem! I thought that you were up and running! So what Ohkei is talking about is the two solenoids that are on the carb.! Sure sounds like a fuel issue to us! These carbs. are finicky. So your unit was running, it won't idle, and now it's not wanting to start? Take the air cleaner off the carb., and squirt some starting fluid in the carb. when someone turns the key! It should start to fire and then, it'll stop when the either is burned up! You might want to hook a battery charger to the battery, as your draining the battery while doing all this! Keep you battery up to snuff(full charge)! So if this happens like were thinking, your problem, (like many), is a fuel issue, in the carb. The carb. could need a good cleaning, but most likely, the carb. could need to be rebuilt! The choke could be sticking, the jets could be dirty, or clogged up! The openings, on the needle jet's are extremely small, and it doesn't take much to get it blocked up. Those two solenoids could be acting up! A word to the wise be jentle with the carb. as your dealing with it, you don't want to bend the linkage, everything on the carb. needs to move freely! and those two solenoids are very thin metal can's (housing) with an electric actuated moving post like rod inside that allows fuel to either flow or not! Jig's and fixtures, always recommends,(he's right), to read the carb. maintenance info on G&R Imports site! It might help you to understand some more! I know it's a lot, but it will help you, to better understand your vehicle! I just like to remind people to go easy if you choose to take things apart, if your not used to it, or haven't done it before. Don't be afraid of it, either! I'm just saying with todays smart phones, computers, take pics., learn and do! Eventually you'll get it running, and you'll have learned a lot! If you jump into this thing, keep all your parts organized, and in order. Those little metal, magnetic flat cups, or parts trays work great! If you don't have it or aren't going to get them, that's fine too. Any small containers, tray's work good. When you accidentally bump the magnetic trey's, full of small parts, the parts don't go flying everywhere! It happens a lot, to us old guys! lol! Keep us posted on what's going on!
    Limestone
     
  17. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    I was in the shop and was thinking about your situation! I wanted to try to explain; It sounds like your getting fuel to the carb.!

    BUT, not through the carb.!

    By spraying starting fluid in the intake side of the carb.(where the air cleaner is), it will tell you, that your fuel isn't getting through the carb.!
    I hope this helps!
    Limestone
     
  18. Kody902

    Kody902 Member

    Got the truck running mint again, alternator was still kind of seizing up. Sprayed some penetrating oil into it while it was spinning and now that's fine.

    4wd still won't engage(but I did some tinkering, spun the wheels while it was jacked up, and as far as I can tell the truck is in 2wd, not partially engaged or anything so i'm safe to drive on the road. I'm thinking maybe the 4wd issue is a corroded wire or maybe a vacuum line leak like you guys said? But i'm not sure where to start on that problem.
     
  19. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    What was the problem? If it were mine, I would think about, throwing a can of sea foam in the Fuel tank!
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2020
  20. Kody902

    Kody902 Member

    My friend currently thinks it's running rich, as it kind of putters out when idling but is fine while driving(throttle opens the air intake?). It runs fine other than that.

    No clue on the 4wd right now, i'm not sure where to start so after jacking it up and spinning the wheels to make sure nothing was engaged, i'm leaving that until the province opens up and dad can come back to help me diagnose that.
     
  21. Kody902

    Kody902 Member

    I need more ideas. It still idles rough, has trouble starting. No clue wtf is wrong with it :(
     

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