Olnick

Listen to what your car is trying to tell you--replace the O2 sensor! If it has never ben changed you're way past due. Check ebay or Amazon, you can get a quality Bosch sensor quite reasonably there (just make sure it's the correct one for your car.) Pull your plugs and inspect them. Replace them with NGKs if needed. Personally I would only use OEM plug wires--"expensive" is no indicator of proper operation. Remove your knock sensor and inspect. If there are any cracks replace it. Do a general "tuneup." New filters, new PCV (and clean or replace the rubber tube leading up to it--they can develop cracks & splits), clean the IACV, maybe a top end Seafoam treatment. These may or may not solve the problem but to me it's a good--and necessary--starting point. Good luck.

Fairtax brings up a good point. It should be made clear to all that donations are appreciated and encouraged--"and here's how you can do it!" Then give payment options: Paypal, check (and where to send it), credit/debit card (?). Maybe a sticky with a catchy title, something subtle . . . like, DONATE HERE! (Or use a dancing banana. Yeah, dancing bananas are good. )

Ewwww! That's a heavy hit, but happy you're rolling again.

Thanks for the numbers, Shawn. Helps us get a handle on what you (we!) are facing. How many "donor" members do we have presently? Judging from the caring and ideas coming out here, I'm sure we can make it work. Keep us up on what you're thinking. And a big Mahalo!

I remember this question years ago. TDC is absolutely unnecessary and no one could figure out why Haynes said it! Good luck.

Welcome Jamus. Yup, great place here--lotsa' good info and good people. So jump right in and start wiggling your toes!

As I said, johnc, that was my first thought too. Would be the most logical explanation and a relatively easy fix. But I can only go by what the OP describes: the solenoid does NOT activate (he hears no click), therefore the contacts never come together to close the starter circuit. When he jumps power to the solenoid connector the contacts close and the starter turns. It appears the contacts are doing their job just fine, but the solenoid circuit isn't working properly.

Your problem is probably the clutch pedal switch or, less likely, the starter relay. The car is manual tranny, right? If you don't feel up to tackling it yourself, suggest you find a local independent mechanic. Parts & labor shouldn't be too wildly expensive. Where is Simpsonville?

That was my first thought too. But 1) solenoid doesn't activate when he turns the key, and 2) starter works when he jumps power to it.

Don't believe KBB, that's a dealer's tool--it's always high. Go to Edmunds and get their TMV (True Market Value), it's supposedly based on actual sales.

Sounds pretty nice. To me the mileage isn't as big a factor as how well the car was taken care of. That seems to be pretty good from your description, even well documented. I don't know much about '02 models, whether headgaskets are a concern or not--you might want to research that on here. I think they're probably asking way too much. Did a quick calculation on Edmunds and they put value at around $3500. Take your wife back with you and go for a good long test drive--open road speeds, city street crawl, windy backroads. Watch the temp gauge and check the fluids after some spirited driving. Then, if you still like it, let them know--but that you're really concerned about the "high mileage" and the "rear damage." Make them a low offer and give them your phone number. If they want to move it, they'll call! Good luck.

If the car fires right off when you jumper juice to the solenoid contacts, then the starter is okay. Can you provide a link to that schematic you mentioned? Is the problem random--sometimes it turns over, sometimes it doesn't? Sounds like there's an intermittent break in the circuit feeding the starter's solenoid. Possibly a bad ignition switch? Bad electrical connection at the starter maybe? All I can think of is checking the wiring & connectors. Good luck.

When you say you "get nothing," do you hear the solenoid click?

Love it! Sure hope the body's worth fixin', let us know what you find out. Good luck.

Yeah, that's a good one--beautifully executed.

Very good dmorrow, that's great news. And thanks for letting us know how it turned out.

Glad you're back on the road. Sorry about the $300 hit--but at least it wasn't worse.

That fascinates me, GD. How big is the piece of glass you use? What grade(s) of sandpaper? Any "technique" tricks?

Is this your original post? http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=116768&highlight=u-shaped+hose I found it using search. Try checking with Jason, Parts Manager at Mike Scarff Subaru in Auburn WA, 866-528-5282. He usually has good prices.

I just checked Cars101. There is no 2.5 option listed and there was no "Limited" Outback model available!

Not true! Happy for you. What do you think of the car now that you've had some open road under it?

Congrats on the Forester! That's not intentional! It's been a Subaru problem for years, a result of two different senders in the split fuel tanks. Bothersome, but you get used to it after awhile!

Dare I ask how you know it works like a charm?

I thought '96 5-speed Outbacks had the 2.2 engine? Just curious.

You focus on the driving. We'll keep our fingers crossed for you!