issues with starting and now alarm, possible not related

[CluelessOutback]

I feel like its always something with this car. It's a 2000 outback that in December swapped the ej25 engine for the ej20. Over the last few months(yes I know I shouldn't be ignoring these issues for this long but damn I just hate to keep putting more money into her) its been not starting, usually its after the weekend when I haven't driven her. I'll turn the key, nothing, nothing nothing, then I'll get a little vrum of sorts and maybe a nothing time or 2 and then it finally starts and i don't have any more issues for a few days. I'm thinking probably the starter is the issue, but I have very limited mechanical knowledge. This morning I went to start it and I really thought it was done, it must have taken me 20 tries before it finally started, I was thinking about taking Hubby's car it was so bad(but didn't want to have to transfer all my stuff to his lol) but it started and drove as normal, but where I got to the barn and went to lock it the remote wouldn't work(red button came on but it wouldn't lock or unlock), but I was gonna have the keys on me so no biggie, I'll just lock it with the door panel. So when I go to leave the remote obviously still didn't work so I unlock it with the key and open the door and the horn starts blaring and obviously I can't shut the alarm off. Nothing worked, I ended up getting a ride home and leaving it there because I have to go back tomorrow anyway. Hubby has a remote for my car that we're going to try just in case its that simple(as if it ever is) but if that doesn't work can anyone give me a suggestion before I end up having it towed. I'm seriously so frustrated with this car but I only put the engine in in December so I feel like I've invested too much into it to get rid of it now, and I don't have money to get something else.

Thanks in advance

[forester2002s]

Sounds like an electrical issue.

First things first:

- check that the battery is good. Voltage across the battery posts should readabout 12.5V with engine off, and about 14V with engine running.

- check that the battery terminal-clamps are tight and not corroded.

[heartless]

remote key fobs have batteries in them - it is possible the battery has died...

 

on the hard starting after sitting a while... yeah, that one is a bit more difficult.

 

In addition to what was suggested above (electrical) it is possible that fuel is draining back to the tank, or it has a leak somewhere...either way, the lines are empty when they shouldn't be... from your description, this sounds quite plausible to me.

 

next time you try to start it & it doesn't want to (providing the electrical all checks out) try turning the key on for a moment then off (do not hit the starter), several times to "prime the system" (get fuel back up the lines to the injectors).

Turning the key to "On" tells the fuel pump to run for a moment in preparation for starting. If fuel is draining back to the tank (normally it should not be doing this), by doing it several times (3-4), you are using the fuel pump to get the fuel back up to the engine where it should be.

 

If the car then starts like it should, you will need to investigate WHY the fuel is draining off - loose hose clamp somewhere from the engine swap, perhaps? stranger things have happened...

[CluelessOutback]

Thank you both. The first time it did the not start thing, I thought it was battery so I connected it to my jumper box thing and it started right up, but I noticed my one clamp was so loose that it came off when I took the jumper cable off. I tightened that up and hoped it would be the end of the issue but not so much. I'll see if anyone I know has a voltage tester to check the battery. Next time it doesn't start I'll also try priming it to see if that gets it to start.

 

I couldn't get the spare remote to work either, but it is just as old so I'll try to get new batteries for them just in case. I read in Hubby's manual for is 04 that if you turn the key to on and off 3 times within 5 seconds it deactivates the security system which also worked for mine and it started on the second time when I went to leave.

 

Someone told me that the not starting issue could be the starter going, do you think that could possibly be the problem? The starter us original to the car to my knowledge and I've had it for 7 years.

 

[CluelessOutback]

So update on remote issue, just replaced the battery and still nothing, what else can cause the remote not to work? The red light comes on on the remote when I push the bottom but the car does nothing. I honestly don't lock my car very often (only if I go to the store or something) so it may have been an issue for a few weeks lol

[Mike104]

You may have to program the remotes to the car.  I believe the owners manual tells you how to program the remote.  Or check www.cars101.com for your year and model

 

8. Program remotes: works on Alpine system.

Unlock all doors, foot on brake, all doors closed. Cycle key quickly but carefully on-off appr 10 times until the car honks one time. 
Do not turn the key far enough to start the car, just to the 'on' position so the dashboard lights up.

When the horn honks, open and close the driver's door, press any remote button and that's it. 
Program another remote? Quickly open and close the driver's door again and push a button on the 2nd remote. That's it.

When you're done, remove the key and  the horn should honk 3 times. You're all set. 
Sometime it takes more than 10 on-offs to set program mode. Open/close the door, lock/unlock etc, wait 10 minutes, then try again.

more detailed instructions 
If your car is equipped with security system disarm it (with another remote if you have one or by turning the key ON LOCK 3 times in 5 seconds). 
Take the key out of ignition (the key has to be taken out). 
The next steps have to completed in 45 seconds. 
Open and close driver door (the door open light has to come on/off on the cluster). 
Put the key into ignition. 
Turn the key ON LOCK 10 times in 15 seconds, leaving the key in LOCK position (do not take the key out). 
Horn will sound once to indicate you are in remote programing mode (if the horn does not sound start over). 
Open and close the driver door (this has to be done within 45 seconds of step 4). 
Press and release any button on the remote. 
Horn will sound 2 times to indicate that the remote has been programed. 
If you have more remotes, repeat steps 8 to 10 (up to 4 remotes could be programed). 
Remove the key from ignition. 
Horn will sound 3 times to indicate the completion of the procedure.

[heartless]

yeah, after battery replacement the remote most likely needs to be re-programed to work correctly. The do not have a memory without the battery.

 

The starters themselves rarely fail, but the contacts in the solenoid can and do wear out. But - as a comparison - I had a 1989 Subaru GL wagon that was still starting on it's original starter with no problems in 2010-2011 (over 20 yrs old)

 

But before you go to all the trouble with futzing around with the starter itself, make sure the battery is good, cables are tight, and all grounds are clean and tight.

Inspect the battery cables thoroughly - look for any corrosion (green gunk - especially on the ground cable). Having one loose enough to come off - not exactly good.