We have a 92 Subaru Loyale 4dr sedan. It has been a very reliable vehicle, except for a problem that popped up a year ago.

 

When turning the key to start, it clicks once, then all you hear is the electric fan running (not the A/C fan). Eventually during the next 45 minutes it will start fine. It is an occasional problem and since it happens once a month or so, it is hard to diagnose.

 

-The battery is charged.

-The vehicle is solidly in park (have also tried starting in neutral).

-All other potential drains on electricity are off (A/C, lights etc.).

 

We put a new starter on it a year ago, but the problem has cropped up again over the last few months. I may go as long as 6 months in between, so it might not be related to the starter. One pattern has emerged in that the majority of the time, the vehicle was driven in the previous 2 hours. I don't believe that it has happened when it has been parked overnight.

 

Any ideas of what might be the problem?

 

Thanks!

It's probably the ignition switch.

My Hatch had the same problem the lady that had it before me put 4 starters in it in 4 years, so when i got it i hooked up a start button so that when it does fail i can just push the button and off i go! ( it was easier than opening the hood and jumpering the starter wires all the time) Works like a charm for me and really inexpensive.

SInce the pattern depends upon heat, I would recomend replacing both battery cables and claneing the electrical contact points. This wont break the bank (they are inexpensive), but this is a classic sign of a weak cable. Heat makes reistance go up in the cable. The resistance in a cable goes up with age. They do get tired with age. Then i would investigate the starter switch.

 

nipper

I would check all connections starting from the battery to the ignition etc... see if something wiggled loose or is broken. Maybe the ignition coil is starting to go? Its best to check everything first before you start buying new parts. saves time and money.

Cast one more vote for pulling the battery cables and giving um a good cleaning.

Cast one more vote for pulling the battery cables and giving um a good cleaning.

 

Aww but the starting button is fun and it impresses people when they get a ride with you..lol:lol:

Aww but the starting button is fun and it impresses people when they get a ride with you..lol:lol:

 

True. My old landrover has one of these -- factory equipment on them.

 

On the connections, I just redid the starter and ground wires on my diesel truck with stainless steel star washers and anti-corrosion grease on all of the bolted terminals. Helped alot, and only cost about $10. Electricity is one of those things that if it's not supposed to get through, a single frayed wire touching where it shouldn't will short it out, but if it is supposed to get through, just a little dirt in what you think is a solidly bolted connection is enough to stop it. Go figure...

Aww but the starting button is fun and it impresses people when they get a ride with you..lol:lol:

 

only if it is a really cool red button that glows ....

 

 

hehehe

 

 

DONT RESS THE RED BUTTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

nipper

It works better when you hook the toggle switch up to the light in the button so when you really want to impress people you flip the switch on the console and then the red light comes on and then press the red button.

Thanks for all the ideas.

 

I will give them a shot and see what happens.

 

It may be a few months before I know if it worked

Welcome to the forum.

 

I would check the ignition switch area for a bad connection. There is a plug connection in the steering column that is a fairly common problem that show the symtoms you state. The connector has to support a lot of current for things and gets hot if there is a bad connection.

 

You didn't state if this is a automatic or not. If it is, then the inhibit switch is another possibility. It may be under the tunnel near the shifter.

 

Oops! After reading your post again I see you do mention this is an automatic so if the ignition connector is ok then you need to check that. Also I forgot to mention to check the fusible links for a bad connection also. They should be in a plastic box mounted on the coolant resevoir.