Suddenly, she is not starting. Haven't done any tests yet, just hopped in the cruiser instead...

 

reminds me of when my old (65) mustang had a bad starter relay solenoid.

 

does my 94 Leg wagon w/at have same type of separate starter relay solenoid? or is it just a bad starter switch?

 

where/what do I check?

 

back to class with my 3rd graders...

 

adam

Fords had an external solenoid (I kinda like that idea), your Sube's in is the starter. You can replace the contacts; get them at a starter rebuild shop.

 

I used to have directions and pics, but lost them to a computer mishap.

 

You can always take the starter in to have it done as well. No reason to buy a starter.

also clean the battery terminals first. That usually does it for me when my car stops starting. After that you can worry about rebuilding the starter.

On the older subaru's, the click seems to be when the solenoid is engaging, but the starter motor has a dead spot. They're one unit, so you replace them together. I've replaced it on every one I've owned at about 200k miles (don't know if it was original or not). $25 for a used starter, and half an hour to replace, so why not just replace it.

thanks....now I've got a direction to go with my checks this wkend.

 

 

adam

Probably just the copper contacts that are actuated by the solenoid. Relatively easy fix and very inexpensive. Do a search--it's been discussed quite a bit here.

Speaking of Toyota and Subaru, get a starter contact set from a Toyota dealer for your Subaru starter. They're exactly the same

This thread has a lot of good info in it, including the toyota solenoid contact part #'s

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2447&highlight=secret%2A+start%2A

Thanks, Josh....I surfed all the pages you posted on your own starter solenoid job....that is 100% what I believe my issue to be with mine.

 

Thankfully, I have a backup car...so I can allow some downtime while I locate the contact bits!

 

Again, thanks for the help, and the links...I KNEW there was another way to go instead of buying a rebuilt starter right off the bat...