Kwhistle

LOL... Well, I'll try leaving the key on "On" for 10-20 secs. Also gonna get new spark plugs tomorrow. NKG Platinum or Bosch Platinum +2?

Fair enough, but a bit hard to describe. I'm not sure if it was turning, if the engine was catching up. I turned the key, and instead of cranking and starting, it just continued to make that screeching noise that usually last only a second or so without it actually starting up. If I were to guess, I'd say the engine wasn't catching up and it was just feeding the starter from the battery. Still, I found it surprising that once started, the engine seemed to function normally. And it is starting just fine if the engine is hot, and with a bit of hesitation an hour or two after driving.

It's a 98, with close to 200000 miles. Spark plug wires were replaced recently. I was thinking of replacing the plugs, but haven't got to it yet, just because it's not that easy, and I don't have a garage. But I didn't notice any particular problems driving, especially for a car with this mileage. Just tested the battery with a multimeter, It really seems to be just a starting issue. Checked the battery also, and it is fine, 12.5V just before it was cranking for about 20 seconds before starting.

Thanks! Will definitely try that. Maybe one at a time. They are not terribly expensive, $30-45 at Autozone, so maybe I'll try one of them or the other, and return if it doesn't fix it. Gonna try cleaning the connectors first though. Hopefully that will do the trick just by itself.

So I've had this car for less than a month. Seems like starting in the mornings have been getting worse and worse, kinda scared in a couple days it just not gonna start at all. After I drive a little bit, seems like all is ok. Also lights/radio work in the morning just fine. Took it Autozone to do the free check, and the battery, alternator, and starter checked out fine. I got a multimeter, and going to check the voltage on the battery tomorrow, just to see if there a short somewhere that's draining the battery overnight, but that seems unlikely. Anyone else experienced/resolved something like this? Could this be the ignition coil? Spark plugs? Starter bad despite testing ok and starting just fine after the car ran for a while?

Was searching for a Subie forum for a little while now. For some reason this one doesn't come on google/yahoo. Found it by chance when was searching the web for some problems I've been having with my 98 legacy outback. Lurked a bit, looks great. So hello all from a new member!