subaru won't start, just clicks? has new starter

[holldun]

I have a 1997 legacy 2.5 gt (yeah that one) and recently have had an ongoing problem. It occasionally won't start, engine just clicks and wont turn over. However, sometimes after an hour or so of trying, it will suddenly start.

 

The problem is that 2 weeks ago I had the starter replaced, and the shop said for sure that the problem was the starter. I guess they were wrong, it was fine for 2 weeks, however today I went to start it and the same thing again!

 

Prior to getting the starter replaced, I had AAA come and test the battery, alternator, clean the battery terminals....everything checked out fine.

 

The maddening thing is that it doesn't happen every time. Anyone know what it could be?

[subikid90]

I just had the same problem. I think the small connector on the starter was getting a bad connection. I turned it over and the problem went away. Test the voltage on that connector while starting. Should be 9V to 12V.

[holldun]

Thanks for the reply. I don't have the equipment to test unfortunately, and I'm not even sure I could find the connector you are talking about. But at least I can mention that to the mechanic when I call them tomorrow morning. They just installed a brand new duralast starter 2 weeks ago.

 

Weird that it worked fine for the last 2 weeks--then wouldn't start again. Took me about an hour and a half to start it this morning.

[subikid90]

You can find a tester at harbor fright for $2.99. Ill try to take a picture of it tomorrow after work for you.

[holldun]

Had the shop replace starter AGAIN yesterday. At lunch break at work today, car wouldn't start again. So this is 2 new starters, you would think they would realize that the problem isn't the starter. I was able to start it after trying about 30 times.

 

Maybe its just some small wire or connector like you said. Either way, I spent over $300 at this shop, so I'm gonna keep taking it back there till they either fix it or give a refund. there was an alarm system in the car that they "disabled" that was probably hooked up to the starter somehow, maybe this has something to do with it. The frustrating thing is that it usually starts for a few days, then the problem returns.

[Fireviper0242]

I have the same car and exactly the same problem.

[Brighton96]

I have the same car and exactly the same problem.

 

 

Cleaning all grounds/connections in the engine bay is a good place to start. A intermittent no start can be a faulty connection, the starter itself, the battery getting tired, faulty neutral safety switch and possibly a few others like a sketchy aftermarket alarm or remote start system.

[doublechaz]

Or a sketchy after market reman starter. It seems the days of buying parts that work out of the box are gone.

[JMack]

The Alarm with Disable is cobbled together in those cars. I have one sitting in my driveway awaiting the great dismantling. If they did not fully disable the alarm, there is a circuit that ties the Start Solenoid to a relay inside the alarm box. This would be where I start, or at least after checking the grounds.

[doublechaz]

The alarm should prevent the starter from getting power so it wouldn't click at all. Clicking means it is getting power, just not enough to push the bendix over enough to seat the contacts.

[Fireviper0242]

Yep... It was the old alarm that I don't even have a fab for. I removed it and patched up the wire splice. Problem solved. Thanks!