Hey Folks,

So after coming back from being away on a business trip, my 95 Impreza L will not turn over. Things I have tried/checked:

Checked all fuses

Jumpered the clutch switch

There is 12V getting to the starter

 

I've done a ton of searching, so I've come to think it's one of two things:

The ignition/main relay - I'll replace it with either this cool hack or this replacement.

The starter solenoid - I'll get the rebuild kit.

 

BTW, where is the Ignition/main relay? I see three relays above the fuse box in the driver foot well, but nothing that looks like what I have seen in other posts. Anything else I should check?

 

Thanks!

Does it click when you try the start position?

 

I would bet you need a battery or terminal on the positive is corroded.

Your miltimeter will lie to you unless you are checking the circuit under load. I bet if you put your meter back on the starter positive terminal and then have someone try to start it the voltage will drop like a rock.

 

If there is no drop at all, the contact is not closing in the starter.

 

Check out some of the training at www.brighterideas.com

A couple more details:

There is a relay click when I turn the key to start, but the starter is definitely not moving.

I tried to reaplce to the battery (just in case... it was old anyway) and nothing has changed.

When I tested the voltage going to the starter, it was under load (while I was trying to turn it over).

Do you hear the starter's solenoid click when you turn the key?

If the voltage was the same before and during your start attemp, the starter solenoid did not close (no load) which is why the starter did not turn over the motor.

 

Either bad contacts or the control circuit, the small clip on wire to the starter is not getting voltage.

Do you hear the starter's solenoid click when you turn the key?

 

Nope, no clicking from the solenoid

 

Imdew: What's the best procedure to check the control circuit? I've tried finding the manual for this car, but every once I download is missing the ignition section