[1993 Subaru Legacy starting/clicking issues]

Thanks Olnick, I sure skimmed over that part. This sure would pretty much eliminate the starter as the problem.

 

Bill:

Along with the other suggestions I would check main cable to the starter. There may be internal corrosion to the wire at the battery end causing the problem and you can't see it. To prove it, just measure the voltage at the starter end of the cable while the trouble is happening and the key is turned to the start position. If the starter isn't turning and the there is less than 12 volts at the end of the cable, then there is a problem with the cable. If the cable is ok then check for 12 volts getting to the small solenoid wire connection while trying to start.

 

A normal voltage reading at the end of the cable when the starter is working will be about 10 or 11 volts due to load on the battery and voltage drop on the cable itself.

 

Glen:

 

Thank you all for your help. You guys are great!!!

 

regards,

 

Bill

Georgia

[1993 Subaru Legacy starting/clicking issues]

The starter relay is under the dash left of the steering column I think... At least that's where I remember mine is (but it's a manual)

The starter solenoïd is part of the starter. It's a magnetic switch that closes the contacts that sends voltage and big amps to the starter motor.

A test you could make if the clicking seems to originate from the starter solenoïd: give a blow to the starter (dont break it ) when this happens and if the starter spins then it's most probably the solenoïd.

Without knowin the details, I know the trans defeat system on an auto is a little more involved than on a manual.

Someon having worked on an auto could probably give you better advice here.

 

Hello Everyone:

 

Thank you for your advice. Any other suggestions are appreciated.

 

regards,

 

Bill Stan

Atl, Georgia

[97 subaru legacy outback-starting / electrical problems...long story...sorry!]

hello everyone

 

i have a 97 legacy outback wagon AT 99k. in october i was having some hard start problems. i replaced the battery and everything was fine.

 

a few weeks later, more hard start issues. i couldn't get the problem to repeat for the shop, they started it fine for 2 days with no problems. they cleaned the connections on the starter and i took it home.

 

a few weeks later, it was hard starting again, but completely stopped turning over. i would try to turn it over, and the dash lights go off (as usual), i would get a click in the dash and no start.

 

the shop checked it, said...yes, was starter. now i have a new starter.

 

this weekend, i had strange idle issues, and it took longer for it to turn over. idle kicked up and down, and sometimes felt like it might stall at lights. so, i had the throttle body cleaned (all gummed up.) i also had the dash lights and a clicking (with the flicker of the lights) when the car was turning over. i couldn't get the shop to repeat the problem. so i picked it up yesterday.

 

it sat all day today...a bit of a hard start, but i drove it for 10 minutes. let is sit for 30 min and then i tried to start it...it began to turn over then stopped. i tried again, and i got nothing. no clicks in the dash when i would turn the key. the battery reads 12.4v still and 11.4 v when i try to turn it over. as i was pushing out of the driveway, the dash lights (AT oil temp, check eng, battery) all started to flash, click and brighten/dim (key in ignition.)

 

any clues anyone? i've been dealing with starting problems for months now, and it seems like crap always happens to me when the weather gets colder...ie, walking everywhere. the timing belt, water pump, alternator were all replaced at 76k. and now i have a new starter and battery and a very clean throttle body.

 

thanks in advance!

melissa

 

Melissa:

 

Some suggestions I have learned:

 

Two possibilities.

1) starter solenoïd. Then the click is louder when listening in the engine compartment with the hood raised.

2) Starter relay.Then the click is more faint and comes from under the dash.

Hope that helps.

 

Best Regards,

 

Bill Stan

Atlanta Georgia

[1993 Subaru Legacy starting/clicking issues]

Manual or auto?

If manual - the only type I know a little about - clicking insures that it's not the clutch pedal defeat switch. When that switch is bad nothing happens when you try to start.

Next, it would be important to locate the source of the click.

Two possibilities in my opinion.

1) starter solenoïd. Then the click is louder when listening in the engine compartment with the hood raised.

2) Starter relay.Then the click is more faint and comes from under the dash.

Are there any other symptoms

 

 

 

Hello Gilles (Montreal):

 

What are the locations for the starter solenoid and starter relay? I want to share this with my mechanic. Any cost estimates on these parts? Are they readily available? I was wondering if I should buy and install myself or take to the shop that worked on the car?. I really thank you for your advice.

 

regards,

 

Bill Stan

[1993 Subaru Legacy starting/clicking issues]

Manual or auto?

If manual - the only type I know a little about - clicking insures that it's not the clutch pedal defeat switch. When that switch is bad nothing happens when you try to start.

Next, it would be important to locate the source of the click.

Two possibilities in my opinion.

1) starter solenoïd. Then the click is louder when listening in the engine compartment with the hood raised.

2) Starter relay.Then the click is more faint and comes from under the dash.

Are there any other symptoms?

 

HEllo Gilles (Montreal):

 

It is an automatic,no other symtoms Gilles. I really thank you for your advice.

 

regards,

 

Bill Stan

[1993 Subaru Legacy starting/clicking issues]

Please Help me:

 

My 1993 Subaru Legacy has starting/clicking issues. I had starter replaced 3 times and also the battery. It will still just give a clicking sound interminterly when I try to start. Issues are both when the car engine is hot or cold.

No one seems to know why at the shop, all cables from battery to starter were cleaned.

 

Any feedback is appreciated, otherwise it is a great little car.

 

regards,

 

Bill Stan

Georgia