# "88 Subaru gone dead **URL:** \ **Category:** Power/Fuel\ **Tags:** pump, gasoline, subaru\ **Created:** [May 11, 2010, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/88-subaru-gone-dead/48721 "2010-05-11T22:35:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rwisland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@rwisland](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rwisland)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/88-subaru-gone-dead/48721/1 "2010-05-11T22:35:18Z")
After a tree fell and grazed the left head light while parked, I lost power to the fuel pump. I have spark but no fuel. Anyone have any thoughts? The only damage to the car from the tree is a crushed head light ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 10:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/88-subaru-gone-dead/48721/2 "2010-05-11T22:43:17Z")
It is possible that the “impact switch” was activated by the shock of the tree hitting the car. Check the Owner’s Manual for the location of the impact switch, and try resetting it. That just might restore power to the fuel pump. ---
**Author:** ![rwisland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@rwisland](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rwisland)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 11:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/88-subaru-gone-dead/48721/3 "2010-05-11T23:14:05Z")
I see no mention of an impact switch in the manual. Someone told me it does not have one. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 11:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/88-subaru-gone-dead/48721/4 "2010-05-11T23:42:12Z")
In that case, all I can suggest is to check the electrical connections at the fuel pump. ---
**Author:** ![rwisland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@rwisland](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rwisland)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 11:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/88-subaru-gone-dead/48721/5 "2010-05-11T23:51:30Z")
Do you know where the fuel cutoff relay is? ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2010, 11:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/88-subaru-gone-dead/48721/6 "2010-05-11T23:56:18Z")
What model Subaru do you have and which engine? They could be either fuel injected or carbureted. During this era the fuel pumps were usually controlled by the voltage regulator. This means if the alternator belt is broken, slipping badly, or if there is an alternator or voltage regulator problem power will not be provided to the fuel pump. ---
**Author:** ![rwisland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@rwisland](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rwisland)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2010, 12:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/88-subaru-gone-dead/48721/7 "2010-05-12T00:09:10Z")
It is a GL station wagon. I believe it is fuel injected. This was a donated vehicle so my knowledge is limited. I sent a jump line to the pump to energize it but it still was not starting- ---
**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2010, 2:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/88-subaru-gone-dead/48721/8 "2010-05-13T02:38:41Z")
There is a small plastic box mounted on the coolant reservoir. Open the top and check the fusible links for a bad connetion. Make sure they are making good contact. If they are ok then the fuel pump relay under the dash may be the trouble. Also of note is that if the ECU doesn’t see ignition pulses then the fuel pump will be shut down by the ECU. I know you said the ignition is working so that shouldn’t be a problem. Just a heads up for you. Another note, when the pump system is working normally you should also be able to hear the pump turn on for a couple of seconds when you turn the key from OFF to RUN. The ECU supplies the ground connection to the pump. I have repaired ECUs that have failed to turn on the pump due to a bad transistor in the ECU. So this is a possible problem also.