will a starter for a 90 legacy work on a 96 legacy. we have a new one for a 90 and the 96 is going out.

I'd have to say yes. Subarupartsforyou.com lists the following (varies based on MT or AT, but same part # for 1990-2004 Legacy.

 

23300AA220R1 Legacy

1990-2004 Engine, Starter STARTER OEM REMAN FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION LEGACYS ALL 1990-2004 (We will buy back the core in the box for 30 dollars after the job is done, contact us by email and we will arrange)

 

 

23300AA230R1 Legacy

1990-2004 Engine, Starter STARTER OEM REMAN FOR 1990-2004 LEGACYS WITH AUTO TRANSMISSIONS ALL (We will buy back the core in the box for 30 dollars after the job is done, contact us by email and we will arrange)

Oh depending on the issue, the contacts are known to sometimes go bad.

i think i'll give it a try. if it is the contacts how much are they and where do i get them

will a starter for a 90 legacy work on a 96 legacy. we have a new one for a 90 and the 96 is going out.

 

It could well be just the contacts--a cheap and realtively easy fix. What are your symptoms (what do you mean by "going out?")

when trying to start it either does nothing or cranks over 1 time and stops. then we got to keep turning the key about 5 time before it cranks.

we have a new starter we got for free. i might put that on and try to fix the bad one for a spare

Thanks for the response. Sounds like classic pitted/arced contacts to me.

Try a search--it's been pretty well documented in the past.

 

Good luck.

You can get the starter contacts from the dealer. I got mine from http://www.subaru-parts-dealer.com for abour $7 I think. There some other make's contacts, maybe Nissan but I can't remember, that also will fit. Someone had a nice post recently with good pictures of an actual starter taken apart showing the old pitted contacts.