So does anyone else's Subie have a clicking solenoid when the key is set to ON?

The Solenoid and the Starter are basically one piece (but can be separated). I think your starter/solenoid is shot and you have/had a worn out alternator. Clicking is almost always indicative of solenoid issues which means that the contacts are shot and they need replaced. I doubt you have any other electrical problem aside from this.

 

Upon further review, I think nipper is exactly right - the solenoid is shorting out. I bet there's arcing in there like nobody's business. Either way, the starter/solenoid needs replaced. This a $120 part w/ one hour of labor :-/

Okay thanks. I'm gonna pull the assembly out today or tonight if I get a chance, otherwise it will have to wait a few days

 

But does anyone else Subie have a solenoid clicking sound when the key is ON? Mine has done that since I got it new and I don't know if this is normal or not? I believe it's caused by the 5 volts being sent to it, but either way, SHOULD it be doing this? I just want to know if there's something else going on here or if this is a 'feature'

 

Thanks!

-Eric

I don't have that clicking sound like you have, but I can hear my igniter (coilpack) buzzing when my car is in the "ON" position and the engine is not running.

Hmm, perhaps it's that, but I'm pretty sure it's from the solenoid.

 

I called a Subie specialist back home and he said he hadn't heard of a sound like that before. He thinks perhaps my LoJack installed alarm ($600!) is causing this problem and thinks I should have it bypassed by someone to see if things are better from that.

 

Another guy suggested today I get the starter rebuilt, said there's a place in town that does rebuilds for like $65.. Does this seem like a viable option?

 

The 2 dealers nearby want $230 and $250 for rebuilt OEM starters.

This more than double the prices I found online, but I don't know who I can trust online. The AutoZone Duralast starters have a lifetime warranty I was told, but are these any good? I'd rather not have to USE a warranty..

 

 

(insert wallet here)