Starting problems - no power

[trevorno]

Hi, I'm having problems with my 93 fwd legacy. The problem started when the temp dropped into the single digits. I'd got to start it and there didn't seem to be enough power in the battery to turn the starter. The dash lights went dim and I'd get a click from the area of the starter.

 

I put in a new battery and the temp here warmed up to the balmy 20's. It started fine about 10 times, then did the same thing. I was able to jump it and get it home, but I'm not enough of a mechanic to know what to check first. I had the starter checked last summer when doing another repair.

[amorgan93]

Hi, I'm having problems with my 93 fwd legacy. The problem started when the temp dropped into the single digits. I'd got to start it and there didn't seem to be enough power in the battery to turn the starter. The dash lights went dim and I'd get a click from the area of the starter.

 

I put in a new battery and the temp here warmed up to the balmy 20's. It started fine about 10 times, then did the same thing. I was able to jump it and get it home, but I'm not enough of a mechanic to know what to check first. I had the starter checked last summer when doing another repair.

 

I believe you have a bad or very close to being bad alternator. The car is starting a few times because of the juice in the battery, however going down the road, using your electronics is taking more power from the battery than what the alternator is compensating for. If you were able to jump it off, it has to be alternator or something is causing your battery to drain.

[ehsnils]

Check voltage with a multimeter when car is running. It should be 13.6 to 14.4 volts with engine running.