sister in law , 98 forester, 190,000mi a/t , when you turn the key it does not always start , but after the 2nd or 3rd time it starts fine, but does not do it all the time, i am thinking maybe coil pack ? , not sure when last tune up was, any comments ? thanks

So it will crank but not start?

I am thinking a dead spot on the starter. When it finally rotates a little, then the starter works just fine. I have had this happen before, so I remember the scenario.

 

Replacing the starter should fix this problem.

it starts every time , just not the first time you turn the key, ok, on the starter, but no noise , just turn key back and try again it it starts, battery not new , but ok,

are all starters the same in 2.5 motors , like 97 outback , and all were a/t ? if that is the problem ?

Yes, it's the solenoid. They're rebuildable, but not as easily as the Denso starters used on older Legacies.

 

You could replace just the solenoid or the whole starter assembly.

ok, i have several from ej motors , thinking i have one for a forester, thanks

sounds like the typical problem you would have to use a push button for.

 

try jumping the wire from the small tab on the starter to the battery to make sure it works.

 

If you drop the kick panel, you can find the wire to the ignition switch, and get a used ign switch from an ea81-ea82-legacy and just plug it in. If it starts on the first try, then the switch could be going bad.

 

my 94 legacy does this where i get a click, but no turn, and if i rattle the key a few times, she will catch.

Starter solenoid contacts and plunger. These are obtainable on eBay and are much less expensive than a starter. It's not much work to change them; most of the work is removing the starter from the car and reinstalling it.

may just switch starters , and fix the bad one later, as stated it starts but after 2-3 tries some times, so thinking it will get worse over time, no noise from starter, thanks

Edited November 8, 201114 yr by 86subaru

The legacy starter will not fit your forester. You will need a forester starter for an auto trans. There is an MT starter and it is different also. I drive a forester and I know that the starter is specific to the car.

 

Good Luck

checked several stores, the starter solenoid is like 100 bucks, pretty high ,when u can buy a starter for 109 bucks, any one got a link for a cheaper place ?

I've purchased alternator and starter parts from this guy:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mitsubishi-Starter-Starter-Solenoid-New-/230634151169?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item35b2dddd01

 

Just email with your Mitsubishi starter part # (M000T84481 or M001T84481)to make sure that this is the right solenoid for you car. If those don't work, you can try to get part numbers from another auto parts site.

Edited November 10, 201114 yr by hohieu
clarity