Nolapete

Update on the car. Since we started turning off lights, radio, A/C before turning off the vehicle, it has only failed to start one time. I guess it got scared when I brought it to the auto electrician and threatened to install a relay. My mechanic replaced the driver's side cv axle and put a new set of belts on (something I could have done myself, but in the current rusted state of the car I'm hesitant). He charged less than half of what my fiancee had paid to get the passenger's side cv axle replaced prior to meeting me. Really fair on pricing and cheap in comparison to others. The brakes have been soft, so I had him check it out and he found that the master cylinder started leaking into the booster. He told me that the master cylinder and booster should both be replaced at the same time. He's hesitant to work on the car as well due to the rust and the parts cost through him was prohibitive ($400ish plus labor). My fiancee's brother is mechanically inclined and has worked on her car before. We're considering having him replace the master cylinder only and not touching the booster. What are the possible problems if the booster is not replaced at the same time as the master cylinder?

Thanks for the replies and information. Good to know that the brake lines can be accessed below the floor. Do you have to remove anything but the rear seat to get to them? I'm taking it over to an auto electrician that my mechanic recommended on Monday. I'll mention to him about the inhibitors and relay. She usually leaves her lights on in the auto turn off, so I told her we should turn off the lights, ac, and radio before turning off the car. It seems as though if anything electrical like that is left on the car won't start the next time without tapping the starter. My mechanic mentioned something about the brushes inside the starter stopping at the wrong position; thus the tapping frees them up to move. I wonder if the lights/ac/radio on has something to do with it not landing in the correct position.

My gf's 96 Outback Legacy has a couple issues she's tried to have fixed to no avail. The primary issue currently is that it will randomly not start until you tap on the starter and have someone else turn the ignition. Of course, she was told it was the starter and had it replaced FOUR different times. That, of course, didn't resolve the problem. This was before I was in the picture, so now I am investigating into some type of electrical problem; ignition-starter switch maybe? My mechanic looked at it today and told me that it is getting the correct voltage to the starter and that he could replace the starter. He referred me to an automotive electrician he uses for a second opinion. I'm bringing it over there Monday to have the electrician take a look at it before we replace the starter again. Any ideas? The other issue is that the prior owner lived up north somewhere (New York I think) and the car has some fairly serious rust underneath. The passenger side rear brake line failed a couple months ago and her brother repaired it by rerouting the brake line with a new line. Not the best fix, but without knowing what he had to take apart to get at the old line to remove it he did what he could do. We're concerned about the other brake lines, particularly the driver's side rear. What exactly needs to be removed to get at the brake lines in the rear? Fuel tank? Would it be better to reroute the driver's side with a new line rather than risk unknown problems taking things apart to get at it properly with all the rust? Thanks, Pete