Starter issues.

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Pythonmsh
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Starter issues.

Post by Pythonmsh »

I just replaced my starter with a remanufactured denso starter. I've had it for like 2-3 months. When I went to work today it worked just fine along with the way home. When i went to leave home an hour or so later the car wouldn't start. I hear a loud click once and it doesn't even try to crank. I tried again 45minutes later and it worked just fine. It's done this before but I always thought it was just the starter. I've replaced 2 Duralast starters in the past. First one in 9 months second in about 6 and they all started doing the same thing. I also have a brand new battery.

What might be the issue?
wtdash
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Re: Starter issues.

Post by wtdash »

Hi,
Have you tested the Alternator?
TD
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Legacy777
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Re: Starter issues.

Post by Legacy777 »

Does your car have a manual or automatic transmission?

You could try removing the back cover on the starter solenoid to see how the plunger and contacts look. I have some pictures towards the bottom of these pictures.

http://www.surrealmirage.com/subaru/ima ... efault.htm
Josh

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Pythonmsh
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Re: Starter issues.

Post by Pythonmsh »

wtdash wrote:Hi,
Have you tested the Alternator?
TD
Haven't tested it
But I got it from Subaru a bit over a year ago.
Legacy777 wrote:Does your car have a manual or automatic transmission?

You could try removing the back cover on the starter solenoid to see how the plunger and contacts look. I have some pictures towards the bottom of these pictures.

http://www.surrealmirage.com/subaru/ima ... efault.htm
Manual. I'd have to check. I've had the starter maybe 3 months

Could it be the starter relay / starter wires / ignition?
Pythonmsh
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Re: Starter issues.

Post by Pythonmsh »

Also where is the starter relay located? It's almost like its not getting enough power.
Pythonmsh
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Re: Starter issues.

Post by Pythonmsh »

The starter grounds were fairly rusty and dirty. Also replaced all cables.

Could a bad ground cause my issue?
Stack8
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Re: Starter issues.

Post by Stack8 »

I'm having the exact same problem in my '93! I'm going to replace the starter and my ground cables and try a grounding mod in the next week or so! I'll try to let you know if it works.


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Legacy777
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Re: Starter issues.

Post by Legacy777 »

Pythonmsh wrote:Also where is the starter relay located? It's almost like its not getting enough power.
The starter solenoid is the relay. The starter solenoid is mounted directly to the starter motor.

If the wiring/grounds were bad/rusty that could be causing your issue.

Did replacing the cables and cleaning the ground/power contact points help?
Josh

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Pythonmsh
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Re: Starter issues.

Post by Pythonmsh »

Legacy777 wrote:
Pythonmsh wrote:Also where is the starter relay located? It's almost like its not getting enough power.
The starter solenoid is the relay. The starter solenoid is mounted directly to the starter motor.

If the wiring/grounds were bad/rusty that could be causing your issue.

Did replacing the cables and cleaning the ground/power contact points help?
It's been working fine lately. But this is the same behavior that it used to do. It'd act up once and work fine for a week. Biggest thing is only time will tell.
Legacy777
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Re: Starter issues.

Post by Legacy777 »

Ok, well keep us posted on whether it acts up or not.
Josh

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Pythonmsh
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Re: Starter issues.

Post by Pythonmsh »

Legacy777 wrote:Ok, well keep us posted on whether it acts up or not.

Acted up again today.

I pushed the clutch pedal in and out 3-4 times along with the key in and out of the ignition 3-4 times and it worked. Not sure if it's just luck or not but Might I have a bad neutral safety switch? What's the chance of getting a bad reman solenoid? Unless I'm literally just hitting the starter lottery.
Legacy777
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Re: Starter issues.

Post by Legacy777 »

The neutral switch wouldn't keep you from starting. The starter interlock circuit could though.

It's very possible you could get a bad reman solenoid. You could take the cap off the solenoid and make sure the contacts are square and line up properly with the plunger.
Josh

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1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
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Pythonmsh
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Re: Starter issues.

Post by Pythonmsh »

Legacy777 wrote:The neutral switch wouldn't keep you from starting. The starter interlock circuit could though.

It's very possible you could get a bad reman solenoid. You could take the cap off the solenoid and make sure the contacts are square and line up properly with the plunger.
Right. Next thing i thought would be ignition.

But this is my third starter so far... honestly what are the chances of getting 3 bad remans in a row?
mike-tracy
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Re: Starter issues.

Post by mike-tracy »

Not exactly the same, but I got 3 bad reman clutch slave cylinders in a row :(
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, build in progress
Josh Colombo wrote: Mon Jan 14, 2002 10:23 am Wait....I'm confused now.
Pythonmsh
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Re: Starter issues.

Post by Pythonmsh »

mike-tracy wrote:Not exactly the same, but I got 3 bad reman clutch slave cylinders in a row :(
Which is possible. I'm starting to have a hard time believing I've just gotten fucked 3 times in a row. So I'm going to go a different route which many people have done as well. People with the problem such as mine have literally just installed a push button to bypass everything and haven't had problems since.

I've ordered this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blue-Led-Engine ... a6&vxp=mtr

Mainly just for the button then it's gonna be wired up to the starter and that should end all the problems.
rallyak
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Re: Starter issues.

Post by rallyak »

I've have gotten 5 alternaterd in a row that lasted less than 90 days for my wife's car. They were all different brands also reman and new. So it possible the contacts in that starter not lining up properly with the plunger and a switch is not going to fix that. I would find a used oem over a reman or new starter any day, mine is still the factory oem one never been changed and still working fine.
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Pythonmsh
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Re: Starter issues.

Post by Pythonmsh »

rallyak wrote:I've have gotten 5 alternaterd in a row that lasted less than 90 days for my wife's car. They were all different brands also reman and new. So it possible the contacts in that starter not lining up properly with the plunger and a switch is not going to fix that. I would find a used oem over a reman or new starter any day, mine is still the factory oem one never been changed and still working fine.
For sure. That's the next step. This button is pretty much going to rule everything else out. Good chunk of people I know have went this route and haven't had problems since.
Pythonmsh
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Re: Starter issues.

Post by Pythonmsh »

Got and installed a push button from cj91legss.
It acted up when using the ignition so I got over and press the button and it worked great! So we'll see how things go over the next few months. I hope this is the end of it!
czei
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Re: Starter issues.

Post by czei »

My '93 also had "starter" issues, and replacing the starter motor did nothing. The problem only went away after a new ignition switch was installed, the equivalent of installing a push button.
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