So I replaced my starter on the road in August in my 97 OBW 2.5 (AT) and now it's already going out in some form or fashion. Possibly, I got a bad starter from Advanced Auto.

 

Turn the key and I don't even get a click. So I was thinking relay, but can't find a starter relay in my Haynes manual. So I bypassed the ignition and connected from the slide connector on the starter to the + battery terminal. It starts. So i would think the starter isn't the problem. Maybe somewhere in the wiring. Then next time it doesn't start, I beat on it with my trusty pipe wrench and voila, it starts up several times in succession up to this point. I'll probably pull it tomorrow and take it back to Advanced auto as they say they can't test it in the car.

 

Just another problem since having my subaru since April. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

I would get a test light and check the voltage at the connection from the ignition switch to the starter when this happens again. You may have an intermitant problem with the ignition lead.

Thanks for the tip. It's starting for the time being, and I put the light and voltmeter on it while it wasn't running and when it is. When the key is in the start/on position, I've got ~12v coming from the battery into the starter in both situations and no voltage on the slide connector going off to the ignition in both situations. Should there be voltage on the slide connector with the key in the on position or only when the key is actively being turned to start??

Thanks for the tip. It's starting for the time being, and I put the light and voltmeter on it while it wasn't running and when it is. When the key is in the start/on position, I've got ~12v coming from the battery into the starter in both situations and no voltage on the slide connector going off to the ignition in both situations. Should there be voltage on the slide connector with the key in the on position or only when the key is actively being turned to start??

The wire comming direct from the bat. is always hot. The smaller one going to the slide connector gets voltage to the solenoid - which in turn makes contact between the bat wire and the starter - only when you turn the key to start. If you get no voltage at the slide connector when the key is at start, it could be the ignition switch, the starter relay (somewhere under the dash - do you kear a click coming from there? - or something having to do with the shift lever starter switch. I'm not too familiar with this last system cause I have a manual.

Wait for more help from other members.

Good luck!

As Fraq mentioned, the small wire going to the starter is supposed to supply voltage to the solenoid coil only while the key is turned to the start position. This will turn the solenoid on and that will switch power to the starter motor to turn the bendix gear which turns the ring gear on the flywheel. If you don't have voltage there then you need to look at the ignition switch area which supplies the voltage to the starter solenoid.

 

There may be a starter inhibitor switch in line with this connection that is causing this problem also. I would invest in the factory service manuals that cover the wiring and the engine areas at least for your car. They will cost you some money but it sounds like you may have puchased a starter already that really wasn't the problem. Manuals can really save you money in the long run I believe. If you do decide on a factory manual I recommend you get in touch with Subiegal (Jamie) at http://www.allsubaru.com/catalog.html to get them from. She will give a good deal over the full retail prices on these.

Alrighty, so it's been starting for several days in a row now. Turns out, I had about 12 V coming from the ignition too. Just didn't have the key turned all the way, duh. Anyways, after a few sharp wallops with my pipe wrench on Saturday evening, it has been starting fine. Proves the old addage, if it doesn't work, hit it harder.

 

Thanks again for the assistance folks.

dont hit your starter too hard you may crack the permanent magnets inside