Frostling

You're kidding! Hahaha! What a bunch of hacks! Well, that's good news for me. Thanks!

I recently had work done on my car, 01 Legacy GT Ltd Sedan (which I bought used in November). It wouldn't start, apparently due to wiring/electrical problems caused by an after-market security system that was poorly installed. The dealership that I took it to was able to get the car started and supposedly took out the junked security system (which never worked for me), but now they can't get the "CHECK ENGINE" light on the dash to go off! They told me that everything checks-out fine, but they can't get the light to stop flashing, so if I want it taken care of I have to take it somewhere else. This is after I paid them $330 to fix the car! Is there anything that can be done (for cheap or free) about this? Is it something I should be seriously worried/pissed about? It certainly bothers me.

I had a problem with a pretty serious shimmy in my steering column awhile back. I had the tires all balanced, rotated, and whatnot...didn't make a difference. They were great looking Bridgestones and seemed fine, but I had them all replaced and that took care of the problem 100%. Your problem sounds a bit more severe, but it's something to consider.

The dealership where I bought the car is Tynan Saab (Fort Collins, CO) and the branch that did the recent work on my car is Tynan Nissan/Kia (Fort Collins, CO). The Saab dealership (in my experience) is run by a big group of swindlers and liars who know virtually nothing about the cars they sell. Their service department is no better. The Nissan/Kia dealership is much more pleasant to deal with, but their service department also leaves quite a bit to be desired when it comes to actually fixing your vehicle. I will be contacting the Better Business Buearu, and as many other consumer bulletins etc as possible. If any of you know of anywhere else (other websites, etc) where I can reach other consumers, please let me know. Thanks all!

I recently had the problem of my car not starting (see "'01 Legacy GT starting problem!"). I finally just had it towed to a branch of the dealership that I got it from. Today they told me that the problem is being caused by a security system (not factory) that was not wired correctly and is causing electrical problems. This is going to cost me $330+ to fix and the extended service agreement that I purchased with the car (for $1,200) doesn't cover it! I wasn't aware that the car even had any special security system, it has never worked. In addition, I had to replace the tires on the car in February because the ones on it when I bought it were causing a serious shimmy in the steering column. This was after I unsuccessfully tried to have the problem fixed at the dealership by having the tires balanced (as they recommended) for about $70. Ultimately, I am extremely dissatisfied with the dealership that I bought the car from, so I called them today to see what they could do about this security system/wiring problem. They told me that there is nothing that they can do and if I didn't want to deal with problems, maybe I shouldn't have bought a used car. I wanted to retort,"If you can't treat your customers well and your service department is so inept, maybe you shouldn't be selling used cars!" but I was courteous and hung up. I am now furious with the dealership. I want to do something about it and I want to warn other consumers. Any ideas???

Okay, so I've ruled out the fuses, battery, etcetera as a problem. Now I am almost positive it is a starter problem, which I am totally unwilling to attack myself. I am going to have the vehicle towed somewhere to have the work done (either by a friend or a towing company). I am now wondering if the warranty I bought from the bogus car dealership I got the car from will/should cover the repair. I have very minimal paperwork on the warranty (3yr/36,000mile). Regardless, I really need the car fixed by Sunday (tomorrow is Friday) and for as little $ as I can get away with. That should be do-able, right? Please advise! I am a new car owner (bicyclist for years) and not totally naive, but pretty unsure of myself when it comes to dealing with these things.

This website and the people on it are THA BOMB! I ask about something, and either someone promptly replies or I find exactly what I'm looking for 5 minutes later! Don't bother replying about the starter diagram. I found one! Totally awesome everyone, THANKS!

Alright, so jiggling the shifter allowed me to get the key out of the ignition (duh), so thanks for that tip. I hadn't shifted it back to "P" completely after trying to start the car in "N" (which didn't work) last night. I am too novice to know how to find the starter though. I dug around, checked out what they look like outside the vehicle (online), no go. If you know of a good diagram I can get to, or can describe the starter a bit better, that might help me. Striking the starter to jar the solenoid is exactly the type of fix I was hoping for. I would really just like something that would allow me to start the car, so I can get it to someone with more experience instead of having it towed from my parking lot. I know I'm a dunce, but I truely appreciate all your help!

Thanks, I have searched the board pretty thuroughly and haven't come up with anything that's all that helpful so far. I was hoping it was a really common problem with a really quick fix. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check it out.

Thanks for the reply. I haven't spilled anything in the car, although I bought it used and who knows what someone might have done to it previously. It was in very good condition when I bought it.

Hey, thanks for the help. I will try to clean up the terminals. It is not a side post battery.

It's an automatic. Thanks

Hi All! This is my first post and unfortunately it's regarding a problem. The '01 Legacy GT Ltd (black with black interior) that I purchased from a pretty bogus dealership last November, has been a dream to drive until now. There are approx. 72,000 miles on it (~12,000 of which I have put on it myself) and I have been taking the best care of it that I know how to. I have had the periodic problem of it not starting. The incidences are very sporadic and there don't seem to be any clear causes. When I turn the key, all the electric gadgetry comes on as usual, but nothing from under the hood. It has been pretty hot in the past couple weeks (low to mid 90s) and the car is always outside. The last time this happened, it was December, snowy, and fairly cold. The only difference is that last time the car started after I'd just left it alone for about half-an-hour. This time I've been trying it every few hours to no avail. I know virtually nothing about cars aside from what I read. This is my first vehicle. The car ran fine yesterday and today, nothing. If anyone can offer any help, I would really appreciate it. Oh, the key is now stuck in the ignition as well, if you can offer any advice about that Thanks!