So I had a small problem with my starter the other week were it was not .. well .. starting!   There was no click or anything but the battery was good. So I took out a wrench and tapped on the starter and tada ... it worked. Got back home and have not had any issues aince. I picked up a secondhand starter to switch with the one I have to solve this problem. I took off the old starter and put on the new one, car started up great a little faster than with the other starter. The next day I come out to my car try to start it and .... nothing. It just ticks. So I figure I,ll put the old starter back on to make sure it is that starter that is causing the problem. Car fired up like a champ. I clean all of the connection on the new starter put it on the car and it starts up no problem. Today I come out to my car to start it after letting it sit for 3 days after putting back on the new starter, it starts up kinda of funny like the starter was hesitating but it started. Turn the car off and it doesn't start, just clicks. But if I try starting it a few times eventually it will start and not just click.

 

So I am wondering if you guys have any ideas as to why this is happening with this other starter. It didn't cost me much so it is not worth sending back, and I still have the old starter in the mean time to get me to where I need to go.

Any input would be well appreciated!

Battery may be good, but make sure the connections are clean and secure. Had simular problem with mine and turned out to be the positive batery terminal.

Could also be ignition. Will it fire after multiple tries? That's the issue I'm having now as my car lacks an ignition relay.

I had similar troubles too.  Add an ignition relay.  Seems to be a good solution

yes the car seems to start after a few tries, however if it were the ignition than why do I get a good start on the first try on the old starter?

Is that just when you switch or is the old started good most of the time and just misses? Can you get it to start when it doesn't eventually?

The old one has only acted up the one time when I had to tap on it, otherwise no issues with it for over a week after that one time. I could put the old one on right now and have it start fine. And with the new one sometimes it will not ever start. sometime it will and sometimes it will take a few tries.

I have battled the intermittent no start a few times.  It is random, so the tapping, changing starters, etc. is all coincidence.  I am referring to EA82 powered models.  There are several connectors in the wiring from the battery, ignition switch, lockout switch, to the starter.  Some one or more of the connections gets to be not so good.  Low current caries ok, but the 20 or so amps the solenoid take to pull in fully, not so much.  So you get a click, or nothing.  Try again, and poof, it works.

 

I attempted to locate the bad connection, and gave up.  Just add a relay.  The little wire that goes to the starter powers the relay coil.  The contacts feed the terminal on the starter directly from a tap on the big fusible link. 

So I had a small problem with my starter the other week were it was not .. well .. starting!   There was no click or anything but the battery was good. So I took out a wrench and tapped on the starter and tada ... it worked. Got back home and have not had any issues aince. I picked up a secondhand starter to switch with the one I have to solve this problem. I took off the old starter and put on the new one, car started up great a little faster than with the other starter. The next day I come out to my car try to start it and .... nothing. It just ticks. So I figure I,ll put the old starter back on to make sure it is that starter that is causing the problem. Car fired up like a champ. I clean all of the connection on the new starter put it on the car and it starts up no problem. Today I come out to my car to start it after letting it sit for 3 days after putting back on the new starter, it starts up kinda of funny like the starter was hesitating but it started. Turn the car off and it doesn't start, just clicks. But if I try starting it a few times eventually it will start and not just click.

 

So I am wondering if you guys have any ideas as to why this is happening with this other starter. It didn't cost me much so it is not worth sending back, and I still have the old starter in the mean time to get me to where I need to go.

Any input would be well appreciated!

Try cleaning and retightening your terminals (specifically your positive)

Could one of you point me in the right direction for adding a relay to my car? That would be great!

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/148005-ignition-switch-relay-replacement/
 

 

I have never posted a link to this forum before so I hope this worked. You'll have to read through the thread and there is a link to a photo of what they are talking about. I've been having similar issues but not lately so I haven't done this fix yet myself.

 

Hope this helps

Could one of you point me in the right direction for adding a relay to my car? That would be great!

You may be better served to rebuild your starter first. It's not hard, and parts are cheap. I went this route and it solved my symptoms similar to yours with a lot less work.

 

Here's a video for reference:

 

 

Good luck!

 

Dan

Look up Bosch WR1 Starter Relay on amazon,I can't copy the url but I used it for the same problem and it worked great, it comes with instructions and it was very easy to install

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001COAX78/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1432879532&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165&keywords=Bosch+WR1+Starter+Relay

The contact kit for the starter solenoid is, HELP # 02349.

Thanks BEECHBM69 I was able to take apart the starter and clean the two copper contacts like in the video and now that starter works great and I have not had any problems. I still have the other starter in reserve just in case however 

Fix the reserve starter with new contacts.  The contact on the battery side wears down alot faster.   Cleaning the contacts will help for a short time.   But by the time you get everything apart, for $2 you could replace them.    I always save the better solinoid side contact.  Eventually, I will have pairs.

  Also, lightly file down the big copper ring and lube the spring.    Then seal the maintenance cap with a bit of black permatex as a last step.

I have never replaced or added a relay - just starter contacts.

the switch conatcts in the back of the starter/ ign switch may be dirty/dodgy after all thius time, causing intermittent stuff. Also found it is good to actually clean all battery clamps, cables, not just inspect, tighten things up and fit the relay. A nice trick on relay fit is to swipe the black/white wire to starter solenoid from a wreck so you can use its locking style female spade terminal on solenoid end, add a spade for the relay male - retain correct wire spec from relay to solenoid, same wire colour and trace. Never rebuilt a Sube starter in 17 years...touching some wood right about now