Electrical System Related Problems of the 1998 Subaru Impreza

Table 1 shows three common electrical system related problems of the 1998 Subaru Impreza.

Table 1. Electrical System related problems of Subaru Impreza

Problem Category Number of Problems
Car Will Not Start problems
1
Starter problems
1
Dash Wiring problems
1

Car Will Not Start problem #1

Intermittent failure/short of power to the main computer (ecu) at appox. 120k miles. Car would not start, no check-engine light. After waiting for tow truck, it starts and runs fine. Took to mechanic, and he says nothing wrong. Two weeks later, same thing. Hook up obd ii monitor and it says ecu recieving "no pwr. " towed to shop. Mechanic diagnosed as failed ecu and replaced. Two weeks later, same symptoms (no check engine light, "no pwr" on obd ii monitor), but an hour later car started fine and obd ii showed no problems. Took to mechanic who found nothing wrong. Happened again a week later, mechanic finds nothing. Two weeks after that, failed again, would not start after many days and still says "no pwr. " towed to mechanic, and once it got to shop, started fine -- movement during towing caused power to be restored to ecu. Thus, it's a short in the power path that runs the ecu. Mechanic cannot find problem. Mechanic dismantled fuseboxes and finds no apparent signs of short anywhere. Says it's a "Subaru bug. " cost to date: appox. $2000, and not yet fixed.

Starter problem #2

Consumer states the starter failed.

Dash Wiring problem #3

No summary listed for above vehicle.


Electrical System related problems in other Subaru Impreza model year vehicles:



Safety Ratings of Impreza Cars
Fuel Economy of Impreza Vehicles
Impreza Service Bulletins
Impreza Safety Recalls
Impreza Defect Investigations