[New Problem]

I solved my other problem, it was the starter wire, but now when I start the car, and start going forward or turn to the right, I hear a clicking or tapping type sound coming from the front right, around the tire area. It goes away, but only sounds when I turn. Is this a major problem.

 

Eddie

[1988 Wagon won't start]

All I have to do is tap the starter, and it should start. Am I going to have to get the starter replaced.

 

 

 

 

To load test the battery you need yourself a quality battery checker or a lot of battery charging systems have a load test setting. This does more than a typical mulimeter can tell you. You want something that puts a load on the battery and tells you accuratly if its drained or fully charged. See if you can find someone with a load tester of some sort to go down with you and test the battery. If the battery tests out good then give the starter a wack'n!

 

If your spare tire is still under there its prolly hiding your starter along with a slew of wires and hoses. As noted above follow the main power wire (the big red one!) from your battery down past the distributor and upto the starter motor on your transmission bellhousing. Like I said it might be hard to get in there with a hammer; so slip in a pipe/crowbar/something and put one end right on the starter then whack the other end with a hammer. Not trying to break it here but give it a few good hits to jar the contacts loose. Had to do this many times with old starters prior to replacing them.

[1988 Wagon won't start]

I did notice that the wire was kind of coroded, and looked like it neede to be replaced. Could that be the reason.

 

 

 

 

 

Well, bump starting it won't work with an automatic.....

 

The starter is under the hood. In my car ('86 EA82) it's just beside the distributor near the firewall. Follow the positive wire from the battery - that leads straight to the starter. The starter goes through the bell-housing of the transmission/transfer case and engages the flywheel to start the motor. If the solonoid is not working in the starter, then it will not engage the flywheel and will not turn the engine over. Giving the starter a tap might or might not work, it's worth a shot though.

[1988 Wagon won't start]

It's an automatic.

 

 

Eddie

 

 

Try that. Alot of times my 88 won't turn over via the starter, though typically at high altitude. If you can roll start it, that'll really narrow down the possible causes. Rolling it will get the engine turning faster than the starter can, maybe it just needs some help getting gas.

 

Here's a REAL easy way to test your starter. Crank it in gear with the p-brake off. If the car moves, then the starter is good! There can be nothing wrong with the starter, and it still won't wanna turn over.

 

 

I usaually drive it up a hill on starter power, then pop the clutch in reverse as I'm rolling back down. Works like a charm.

 

Good luck finding a hill in Dallas though. Two strong dudes can push it fast enough to start.

 

Edit: That's won't work on an Auto, BTW.

[1988 Wagon won't start]

In order to bump the contacts on the starter, do i go underthe hood, or would I have to take apart the steering wheel. I am not all educated on the mecahincs, I am in a learning phase.

 

Eddie

 

 

 

 

does it have a manual transmission? If the starter is bad, jump starting it will not work. YOu will have to push the car until it's going fast enough to pop the clutch and start it from engine compression.

 

If it's just the battery drained for some reason, then jump starting should work.

[1988 Wagon won't start]

Most likely this will not be something I can do right away., because the car is stuck at my work parking lot. Will I be able to jump start it??????Eddie

[1988 Wagon won't start]

Are the contacts under the hood, or is it behind the dash.

 

 

 

Eddie

 

Can you do a load test on the battery right now to see if its drained? I'm thinking maybe a slow power draw from a short circut might be draining it.

 

OR

 

Starter is on its way out. Just guessing by how hit or miss the problem seems to be. That clicking is your selinoid in the starter doing its thing but often times the contacts for the motor get worn or sticky. Try hitting it good with a hammer (might need to slip a crow bar down to it then hit that with the hammer) that can bust free the contacts and let it start up.

[1988 Wagon won't start]

How do I do that, and what would cause tghe short circuit???

 

Eddie

 

 

Can you do a load test on the battery right now to see if its drained? I'm thinking maybe a slow power draw from a short circut might be draining it.

 

OR

 

Starter is on its way out. Just guessing by how hit or miss the problem seems to be. That clicking is your selinoid in the starter doing its thing but often times the contacts for the motor get worn or sticky. Try hitting it good with a hammer (might need to slip a crow bar down to it then hit that with the hammer) that can bust free the contacts and let it start up.

[1988 Wagon won't start]

Yes, It started up, and I drove it for about a week, and then I drove to work, and 4 hours later it wouldnt start, but everything else comes on, and This happened on Friday. It used to just do that if the radio, or lights were on, and then when I turned all them off, then it would start.

 

 

 

Eddie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So it started right up with the new battery?

[1988 Wagon won't start]

I dont think its any of that stuff. Will I be able to jump start it????Eddie

[1988 Wagon won't start]

Ok here the deal. It turns over, and makes that clicking sound, but will not start. I replaced the Battery, so its brand new. Everything works(radio, lights etc.) I drove to work, and then 4 hours later it would not start. I need help....... Is this the Baterry, or starter. Everything looks normal, but it just wont start. Thanks

 

Eddie

[It won't start]

Everything like the radio, and lights work. Usually if the radio or lights, or ac are on it does this. As soon as I turn everything off, it starts. Sometimes it takes a while. I dont know why it does that

 

Eddie

 

 

 

 

check the connections on the battery - make sure you are getting good contact. See if the lights work, or the wipers - that will tell you if battery is dead or not. Just because it's a new battery, doesn't mean that is not part of the problem. If the battery is dead, first suspect would be the alternator.....

[It won't start]

I have a problem

 

I replaced my battery last weekend, and it ran until now. I turn the key, and it seems to click, or make a light sound, but wont start. The battery is brand new, so what's the problem. Help

 

Eddie

[weird noises]

I am trying to do most things myself because my Subaru is old. my battery has just been replaced, but the car sat for a couple of months. When I start the car it statrs fine, but when I turn around, or even turn the wheel it makes a tapping, or scratching sound. Is this anything I need to worry about, or can I fix this problem.?????/ Thanks

 

1988 Sunbaru Wagon

 

Eddie

[AC/Heater]

Glen,

 

It's a 1988 Subaru Wagon-DL. Whenever I turn on the heat it will be hot or warm, and then blows cold. In the Summer, when I turn on the AC, it blows hot air. Where can I locate the Vacumn switch? Thanks

 

Eddie

 

 

 

 

 

The answer to your question is YES. You didn't state what model car you have but the problem sounds like it is with the vent system. It is operated by the vacuum system. I think if the vacuum fails for whatever reason the defrost mode will be on. I'm not sure though. I would first make sure that you have vacuum to your vent control switch.

 

One other thing I might add. If the blown air seems to change with different selections of the vents then the problem is with the temperature control and not the vent control. I think the temperature control uses the vacuum system also to make changes but I may be wrong. It may be a cable that ties to a vent door.

[AC/Heater]

I cant get my AC or heater to work. It blows air but wont blow hot or cold. Can this be fixed

[Where the Heck is my Horn]

1988 Subaru Wagon- DL

 

 

 

 

 

what year is your subie?

[Horn ? for a 1988 Wagon]

What exactly do they look like. I hear the buzzing sound coming from there, but all i see is a bunch of wiring. Are they easy to fix?

 

 

 

 

 

on your 88 the horns will be behind the front bumper below the headlights..

 

minde were weak...so i just bought a loud single new one (as compared to 2 stockers)

[left turn signal blinking really fast]

Hello all,

 

 

Recently my left turn signal has been blinking really fast on my dash, but the light does not come on on the outside. Is this a fuse thing?

[Horn ? for a 1988 Wagon]

Where is that. I looked under the hood, and saw a bunch of wiring, but dont know really where to look.

 

 

 

I'd check for corrosion on the horn wire clips. I had the same basic problem. I took it off and cleaned the horn and clips. Worked just fine after that.

 

Harbor Freight has $7 horns on occasion.

 

Glenn

82 SubaruHummer

01 Forester

[Where the Heck is my Horn]

Hi there,

 

Is it easy to find. My horn is making a buzzing sound when I press it. What exactly does it look like behind the headlight. All I see is a bunch of wiring.

 

Eddie

 

 

 

Kevin, there are two horns behind the bumper ends.

 

the easiest way to get to them is remove the headlamp assm. (four 10 mm nuts behind the core support, one sheet metal screw on top for the side marker lamp)

 

pass side is easiest if you just want to get to the wiring in order to add an aux horn.

 

congrats on the RX by the way - you're welcome

[Horn ? for a 1988 Wagon]

My horn makes a buzzing sound when I press it. Where is the horn relay, or how do I fix this.