Hey all,

 

This is on my 88 GL, 5spd d/r

 

The last couple mornings, my starter has done the 'click but not do anything' routine. After a couple minutes it'll finally fire up.

 

Today, took everything out and cleaned all the connections. Negative to starter, positive to starter, battery terminals, etc.

 

Get it all put back together, and now it won't turn over at all...

 

I found this thread: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=8263

 

and tried manually jumping the spade connection on the starter. After a few sparks, it made the starter engage and try to turn the engine over. (with the key off)

 

I tried again with the key on to see if it would stay running, and the starter wouldn't engage. Try again without the key on, and still no engage, just lot's of sparks.

 

Did I just kill the starter somehow?

 

I checked the voltage at the spade connector when I cranked it, and it is getting 12v. The resistance on the cables going to the starter are fine.

 

This starter was replaced on 11/29/03.

 

Any ideas? I wouldn't think the internal contacts would wear out in just over a year.

 

Thanks,

-Dave

i was having a similar starting issue in my XT6 a couple months ago. thing wouldn't turn over sometimes, sometimes it would. tried jumping it when it wouldn't start and it did the click like you mentioned but would not turn over. ran the jumper cable straight to the starter and nothing. after my friend drove off with his car i decided to jump the negative terminal of the battery to a grounding point on the car. i think i noticed the wire was really hot, so that's what gave me the idea. thing started right up. got home and installed a heavy gauge wire to a ground on the motor from the negative battery terminal. never had an issue with it again and that's the OEM 215,000 mile starter.

I was going to look into adding more grounds sometime. Maybe I'll make it a little sooner than I planned.

 

I just went out and tapped on the solenoid, and it started right up.

 

Could a year old (most likely refurbed) starter have the contacts already worn out?

 

Until the other car doesn't have spongy brakes, I don't want to pull it all apart.