Im new here but i figure i would give it a try. a week ago i went out to start my car and when i turned the key, nothing happened. now i shouldnt say nothing. the lights turned on and the stereo came on, but no engine. i thought of course that i must have a dead battery. so i tried to jump start it to no avail. I then figured that the alternator was dead, and my battery was shot. so i removed both and proceeded to an alternator specialist. after hooking the alt. up to his machine, he said that it was running fine. and then he hooked up the battery to his charger and checked, no problems there. so i took both back and replaced them back in my car. tried to start it again, nothing. everything works, windshield wipers, heater, stereo, windows, but no engine. so now i am thinking that it is my starter. what do you guys think? if it is my starter, is that easy to remove, or am i going to have to take it in? thanks

BTW its an automatic AWD L class, and it is FOR SURE in park

The starter is something you can easily swap in in AutoZone's parking lot. It's on the driver's side, just behind the engine, on top.

Your problem could be the starter, or it could be something electrical somewhere between the key and the starter (ignition switch, wiring, safety interlock, starter cables, starter solenoid).

 

What I would do, is since I'd estimate there's a good chance it's the starter, I'd remove the starter, make sure the cables to them aren't totally corroded and hopeless, which they won't be, take it in to an AutoZone or similar and have them test it.

 

If money's an issue, you might consider a used starter, seeing as it's easy to change out if it goes bad again, and Subaru's starters seem to last a while, based on that few people post about them. How many years and miles are on yours?

Its got 9 years, and 261,000 miles. how much do you think a new or a used started would run? and do you know of any sites with a picture of the starter?

Its got 9 years, and 261,000 miles. how much do you think a new or a used started would run? and do you know of any sites with a picture of the starter?

I did this on my '95 a few months ago and I think it cost me around $80 at Advance Auto. Not sure I would do it in their parking lot though, unless you are experienced with these kind of things (I wasn't). It took me about an hour, and was fairly straightforward.

 

Good Luck!