Daffi Duck Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 93 Subaru Legacy. This has been going on since April. We have replaced 3 starters and one alternator. Car starts fine in the morning (make sure AC is off first) however after that its a crapshoot. It used to have issues once in a while, then once a week, then a few times a week, now its every day. The mechanic cannot find the problem. Usually we open the hood, give the starter a couple of knocks with a tire iron and it starts up. Last Saturday though it took 7 tries. I knew it was going to get worse. It did... Yesterday, I was sitting in car at lunch and listening to radio and the radio died. I turned off everything and got the windows up and then after work I tried starting the car and nothing. Finally having it towed to home. This is the 8th tow in 3 months. AAA knows me by name now. I feel I have to tip the tow drivers cause I usually am stuck in a parking slot and its hard for them to extract me. We will check out the battery, but do not think thats the real issue as it has been working great but for the starting issue; but any other suggestions or clues as to what is going on with this? I love my car but i no longer can consider it reliable and the stress is getting to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrach Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Sounds like a battery or terminal connector problem on the battery to me. But that being said, a moderator should move this over to the new gen forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 i bet the problem is more related the the ignition switch itself, and changing the starters has not made any difference other than leading you to believe they are failing when they are most likely not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffi Duck Posted September 26, 2008 Author Share Posted September 26, 2008 Why does it need to be moved to New Gen forum this is a 93 Subaru I am going to replace the battery this weekend and my husband will check the wires and do the tests I have read up on in this forum from previous "electrical" problems. I will let you know what we find or do not find Maybe I should start pricing ignition switches Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrach Posted September 26, 2008 Share Posted September 26, 2008 Why does it need to be moved to New Gen forum this is a 93 Subaru Looks like the new set-up no longer defines Old Gen and New Gen. Past use has defined Old Gen as the early GL and Loyale models up to '93 (EA71, EA81 and EA82 engines). New Gen referred to the Legacy and Impreza models and newer (EJ22 and EJ25 engines) typically found from '90 to the present. You might consider your Legacy old, but it's really part of the New Gen models. Either way, you'll still get good information from whoever posts a reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffi Duck Posted September 26, 2008 Author Share Posted September 26, 2008 wow never considered my car "new gen"..... I usually read the posts without regard to "labeling them" but needed to post for some answers. Thanks for the explanation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrach Posted September 27, 2008 Share Posted September 27, 2008 wow never considered my car "new gen"..... I usually read the posts without regard to "labeling them" but needed to post for some answers. Thanks for the explanation. No problem; you did post what you needed in a clear, concise fashion as well as mentioning what car you have. Lots of people forget to post the model when they look for advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted September 27, 2008 Share Posted September 27, 2008 Your crank circuit up to the starter solenoid wire from the switch is not passing enough current to fully pull-in the starter contacts. You need to install a relay between the battery positive lead to the starter and the solenoid spade terminal using the original ignition switch lead to pull in the relay coil. This will fix your problem and prevent the ignition system from suffering further damage due to the repeated starting attempts overheating the small gauge wiring and harness plugs. This happens on many makes and models when they get old. Poor battery/cable maintenance or a burned set of starter solenoid contacts causes intermittent starting and the repeated attempts by turning the key overheat the wiring and break down the contacts in the ignition switch. Adding the relay is an inexpensive alternative to replacing the ignition switch and the entire harness. And your mechanic is a worthless hack. If he can't use a DMM enough to figure out what the problem with a simple un-fused crank circuit is then he has no business touching anything more advanced than a spear and a loin-cloth let alone your car. GD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffi Duck Posted October 1, 2008 Author Share Posted October 1, 2008 Well we got a brand new battery on Saturday and it did start up and run the whole day. Then Sunday came the big litmus test. A lot of stops and starts. IT FAILED, around stop #5 So....... my husband got out the testing tools and determined that the wire that goes to the ignition switch to the starter is the problem. He just wired a new starter button in on the left side and we are good to go. Its now like starting a racing car!!! I get the giggles and say "contact" and push the button. But damn it WORKS!! 4 days now and counting!!! Whoot!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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