trawson Posted July 27, 2019 Posted July 27, 2019 We have a low mileage 2007 Legacy. Yesterday it suddenly would not start, but clicks continuously when the key is turned to the start position. I know this is usually an indication of not enough power to the starter, but ... The battery was new about 12 - 15 months ago. Battery voltage is ~12.5, a jump start attempt brings this up to ~13.1 but it still just clicks. The resistance of the ground cable measures out at about 1.5 ohms from the battery terminal to the bolt on the engine block (on 20 ohm scale, lowest I have). We got about 2 ohms from the battery terminal to other points on the frame. The positive cable measures at 1 ohm or less from the battery terminal to the bolt on the back of the starter. So to me both cables seem good. There is no visible corrosion. Also the start attempt does not drop the battery voltage noticeably, nor does it dim the headlights even slightly. So despite the classic symptoms of battery problems, we suspect the starter. Anyone have other thoughts? Experience with this? Other tests to do? Thanks! Tom
trawson Posted July 27, 2019 Author Posted July 27, 2019 A little more info ... the clicking does not keep going. It clicks maybe 8 - 10 (?) times and then stops. Turn the key off and back on, it will do it again. There is no measurable voltage drop in either cable while attempting to start. Tom
Infosecdad Posted July 27, 2019 Posted July 27, 2019 Pull the starter and take it to an auto parts store, they should be able to test it. Sounds like classic starter death.
SageAbkatsor Posted July 27, 2019 Posted July 27, 2019 Yeah I’d vote starter. You could try a hammer. No joke. If you can get the brushes to contact you might get it to start. Have someone tap-tap-tap on the starter with a hammer (rubber mallet is better) while another person cranks she might just pop off, and it will tell you your point of failure all at once. This trick saved my ass so I could get my Miata to my buddies house to start the auto to 6 speed swap. Otherwise his wife was going to call it and steal him for the weekend. Got it there, and the starter had to be swapped as part of the trans swap anyway. Have never had an issue since, except when my ignition switch fried... no starter issues though.
trawson Posted July 27, 2019 Author Posted July 27, 2019 Thanks folks. Will definitely try the hammer. How do you get this starter out? One bolt is reasonably accessible from above. Found one more underneath toward the L side of the car but I don't think I have the tools to access it. And presumably there is a third somewhere underneath toward the R that I haven't found yet? Tom
Infosecdad Posted July 27, 2019 Posted July 27, 2019 They are typically two bolts, one on the top, the other diagonally down from that one. Sounds like you found both. You can get to both from above, but the lower bolt is easier to get to from underneath (look up toward the front from behind the front driver side wheel) if you can safely jack the car up. You can reach around/under from above with a wrench or socket wrench if you are patient. You also need to remove the single wire and the nut/wire for the main power on the solenoid.
trawson Posted July 29, 2019 Author Posted July 29, 2019 So this morning we tried one last time with the extra key -- and it started. Drove it to the mechanic's and he tested everything, no problem. Tried the other key and it worked. Very odd. Now we don't know if / when it will fail again. Tom
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