Thsi the the third year now that with the snow comes starting problems with the '92 Turbo Legacy sedan.

 

It seems to be temperature related, usually happening after sitting all night or after many hours of sitting.

 

You turn the key and nothing but a relay click happens. Hold the key in the start position for 30 seconds to 3 minutes and it will start.

 

When it first started happening I put a new starter in, but problem persisted.

 

Anyone have any ideas? This is my daughters car and I'd like to resolve the problem so the bitchin stops.

 

Other than this problem, which only occurs when it's cold, the car looks and runs fantastic @ 170,000 miles! Considering I live in western NY where they put tons of salt on the roads so the non All wheel drive people can drive 60 mph, that's a pretty long life!

 

 

Any help would be appreciated

First off...AWD people can drive 60 on the roads...great...now try stopping :madder:

 

Anyways, have you checked the battery? Your electrical system may be lacking in the cold cranking amp department.

The point wasn't that I wanted to go 60, it was more a general slam to those who regardless of the weather feel there is no need to slow down and that the roads should be bone dry even during a blizzard.

 

The battery has been changed also. When the problem occurs it doesn't even try to spin over, almost like a dead spot on the starter or a key (ignition) switch problem.

 

If you hold the key on though it will suddenly spin like it should and start right up.

Check the connection on the battery terminals. Sounds like you're holding the switch open long enough to finally get a connection, then it goes. Clean the posts and inside of the cables.

The clicking sound usually is a sign of bad solenoid contacts, but since you replaced the starter, it's probably not that.

 

Check/clean the connection both on the battery terminals & the starter. If the problem still persists, you may want to run a secondary lead from the pos of the batter to the starter. If the problem goes away then the pos battery cable lead to the starter is probably bad and should be replaced.

I'll give your suggestions a try Legacy777

 

By the way, my '92 that I'm talking about has the same paint as yours, they look alot alike.

 

I saw in the marketplace site someone was try to get rid of a spoiler off a '93. It would be a great addition to your car. I'm sure it would fit.

I've already got one

 

I added one a little over a year or so ago.

 

here's a couple pics

 

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8080/subaru/images/spoiler1.jpg

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8080/subaru/images/spoiler2.jpg

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8080/subaru/images/spoiler3.jpg

 

these are the most recent ones I got

 

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com:8080/subaru/images/legacyzymol

Maybe it's the ignition switch. How often do they go bad?

The last post is on the right track. It sounds like the ignition switch is going, with the mileage and if the car is driven short trip(ie. lots of starts) it would not be out of the picture for the ignition switch to be worn out. As far as temp. related, just grasping, it may be that the contacts shrink just slightly so they are barely not making contact.

i agree with the ignition switch conclusion. try jiggling the key a bit while in "start"..if it makes a contact quicker because of this, it most likely is the ign switch, as they get pretty worn over time.

Do you get a check engine light? I had the same situation a couple of months ago and it turned out to be the crank angle sensor!

if Ignition switch is bad.....you would most likely not hear any click from the starter solenoid. He's hearing a click and the solenoid plunger is engaging the ring gear. Typically if you have an ignition switch go out, you won't hear anything.....

 

yes....no.....?

Always go with the free-to-inexpensive fixes first. Then progress to those that will cost money. Clean ther anodes and connections.

It's around 40 dgrees F today. Too warm to get it to not start.

 

Purred like a kitten this morning.

That is a really good idea....a Turbo Legacy....for my daughter to outrun guys in their b!tch cars!

 

Josh!

4 for 4, there's the answer - move to a place where it doesn't get cold.:-)

What would I do with all the AWD if I didn't have snow to play in?

I would break out with a voltmeter and start doing voltage drop tests on the big diameter wires (battery cables, starter wires, etc). And I'd make sure the starter is grounded properly. yeah, i know it's bolted directly to metal. That sometimes doesn't mean anything.

and hook it in line at the solenoid.

If the car starts right up bypassing the ignition switch then you have your problem.

Frankly this car is so old it should have a switch as PM.

You can always install a button.