DaveAP Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 Hello, I have an '87 brat. I suspect the ignition switch. I will turn the key, the radio lights up, but I get no starter engaging. I keep on turning the key and eventually it will fire up. It doesn't do it all the time though. No grinding or drag sound from the starter. Thanks for any thoughts. dp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatchsub Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 Yea it sounds to me like your ignition is on its way out. Things to check however before you get to that is your battery connections (+,-) at the battery and at the starter and ground. Also you can use a volt meter and find out how much current is actually getting to the starter solenoid through that little wire (believe its blue). A way to rule out the starter is with a big screwdriver. Turn the ignition to the run position and make sure its in neutral. Connect the solenoid and the positive lead on the starter and see if it cranks the starter. If it does that right away, and all connections are found to be good then your ignition is on its way out. A common fix is to put a relay in line with the stock ignition solenoid wire (using the solenoid wire as a switch for the relay). There will still be enough juice to trigger the relay and start the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted November 1, 2009 Share Posted November 1, 2009 (edited) Before you change anything I suggest you prove where the trouble really is. The trouble could be somewhere else beside the ignition switch. Like the safety switch or starter solenoid. Edited November 2, 2009 by Cougar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveAP Posted November 2, 2009 Author Share Posted November 2, 2009 Thanks for the replys, especially the trouble shooting ideas. Couger what is a safety switch? Is it the same as a neutral switch as in a auto tranny? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 The safety switch should be on the clutch pedal. I assume you have to push the clutch in, in order to start the car. Technically speaking, Subaru calls the transmission switch the Inhibit Switch and the terms get swapped around by some folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 EA81's did not have inhibitor switches. At least they didn't have them on the manual transmissions. Maybe the auto's did but I've not owned one of those. On all the EA81's I've owned, you can start them in gear - which is actually nice when the clutch cable breaks. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostbrat Posted November 2, 2009 Share Posted November 2, 2009 yes, there is no neutral saftey switch. i had this same problem and found it to be a dirty connectioin to the solenoid. i put new terminal on black/white wire to solenoid, starts every time now!!!! you probally just have bad connection, its a simple stupid blade terminal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 It very well could be the ignition switch too though. They are a common failure item on EA's. Can't pass enough current to engage the solenoid. Basically you just have to go through the whole crank circuit from the battery to the starter and see where you are losing your current. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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