rkahoi

@porcupine73..car's never been in a flood... So I'm just as stumped...Just called my mech to have it towed and looked at...think we tried as much as we could...as much as I was looking forward to avoiding another cost...think I have to at this point....will update on what happens...if anything...(Que up the sad music....) ..

Timing belt was just replaced last week..I checked down there and cover is on, didn't delve in...to be honest..I don't know how to check engine resistance.

So..I took the starter out...took it to a starter repair place...they changed the contacts and the plunger parts 15+labor 15..pretty awesome..they tested it and said it was good to go...stuck it back on..and still same click...no start...I opened up the fuse box and found the "fusible link" was fried..literally(there were ashes!) I replaced that..and still same click..no start...tried jumping it again..still nothing.... So...no idea where to go from here.....

Lucky you have the parts....and the guy...sounds like you drove him to retirement lol.....thanks for the tip.. Found a place not too far from me...taking off the starter tomorrow....any tips?

I've called about a dozen places- including the dealer-for the solenoid and no one seems to have it...anybody have a part #, or another name for it...?I have a link to an ebay item "starter repair kit" that would work, but would rather not wait for the shipping.zzz

So I attempted to start with the positive cable hooked to the selenoid...and this time click was not there but car still did not start..thinking you might be right @gloyale ordering the selenoid contacts from the subaru dealer...just incase anybody might have the same problem..I found a how to guide...see link below. Will update what happens. http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/80-electrical-electronics/23654-problems-starting-98-outback.html

Tried jumping it with another car and nothing..battery is about 2yrs old...I'm gonna try starting it with the solenoid..just waiting on clarification on how to in a few. thanks.

Amen to ruling out the valve's...!..now just so I do it right...attach the red cable to the selenoid and black to the battery...? sorry for my ignorance when it comes to this....the picture is a big help too.and thanks for the help.

@porcupine73: So...I did check the battery terminal's, I actually unscrewed them, brushed some deposit's off the battery+ terminals and screwed them back on and still nothing..I don't have the thingamajig to test the load on the battery but if it matters, I tried to jump it and still nothing. Your right about the engine not cranking..and don't know what to make of it...hoping/thinking I'm safe to rule out the valves since the car's been driving for the last 2 days after the timing belt was replaced...?..maybe just the starter is bad..? @davebugs...thanks for the heads up...I unhooked the battery so...no sparks for me... Wondering what to do from here.... Thanks again.

Sorry I wasn't clear..the "clicking" sound is the sound it makes when I turn the key...like turn key-click..it doesnt click while running...if that helps..also its a 2.2 so wouldnt need the heads...I have the alternator cover off right now..thinking of just replacing the alternator...never done it before myself..I'm pretty handy but skeptical...how hard/easy is it to do..and if anyone has a how-to link or guide it would help. Thanks again.

@porcupine73; Havent noticed anything out of the ordinary with the steering..I checked and rechecked all battery and alternator connections, I tapped the starter and still nothing... and I have a manual trans..I would push start it but car is parked on a wierd angle and maneuvering it out will almost be impossible. @ LeolaPA: I just opened up the alternator cover and all belts seem to be fine.. @1 Lucky Texan: I checked all the battery terminal's even, took them off and put them back on again and still click..then no start..pushed in the alternator connector and still nothing.. @davebugs; Now that you mentioned it the dimming of lights was there before the timing belt job, the ABS light has been on for about 2 years. The belt did break, had to be towed in. The shop is pretty good with Subaru's, they've worked 2 of mine..(including this one) for the past 4+ yrs. He did mention when it got towed in that I may have damaged the valve's and it was possible it may not start again. Thinking I may just need a new alternator...? although the clicking sound makes me think the starter's gone too..? Thanks for all the help.

So.....I have just had the timing belt/water pump timing belt tensioner replaced, car has been running fine for 2 days then yesterday while driving it seemed to be having a misfire and actually shut off twice...the lights were dimming/ flickering as I stepped on the gas...the rev counter was also going from 2.5 to about 0.5 and kind of bouncing up and down to the point of turning off. Today..the car wouldn't start it makes a clicking sound then engine does not even turn over. point to note..the battery seems to be fine, radio,lights are coming on. So...wat could be wrong? Its a 96, subaru legacy outback with 220k. Thanks.