legacycentral bbs

Hi all,

I have been having odd electrical problems for a while now, but recently they have been getting worse. These are the symptoms, least interesting first:

- Radio reception is poor
- Rear wiper is sometimes really slow - almost stops, other times it is fine.
- AC won't turn on sometimes. There is no change in revs when at idle so the compressor is not activating. It is very cold when it works. I tried replacing the relays - no difference, but the other relays were used too - so they may be bad also knowing my luck.
- Sometimes the car won't start. There is a click, then nothing. If I turn the key again it is usually fine, and starts on the first stroke as though nothing is wrong at all. Recently this in particular has been getting much worse.

I am at 93xxx miles, but the PO used to do 2x5 mile journeys a day for 8 years, so the starter has had a bit more wear than usual. I see the wearing of starter contacts is pretty normal...

The battery seems OK because when the car clicks it fires right up, and the charge light never comes on, so I think the alternator is OK.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated .

Thanks,
Dave

1. Your starter contacts are toast. My car did the exact same thing when the starter was cooked.

2. I think your radio reception/Slow rear wiper are related. Maybe your alternator is not putting out so much anymore..or you've got a grounding issue.

3. For the A/C....are you sure the plug on it is plugged in the whole way? (I don't know a lot about the A/C system)

Hi Manarius

Thanks for confirmation on the starter issue. I will make sure I order a new one pronto. I just wanted to be sure before throwing parts at it.

I am also going to clean up the battery terminals and sand all the grounding contacts before worrying about the other issues. There are a couple of Legacys (automatics so wrong starter) in my local pick and pull so I might go and grab an alternator and possible a rear wiper motor as well just so I have them handy. One of them has a really fresh looking alternator on it.

Thanks,
Dave

Cleaning the battery terminals and all the grounding connections has helped - for now.

AC operational again (with my original relays - pick n pull ones seem to be bust) wiper back up to speed and she starts first turn of the key again.

I suspect that this is a temporary fix due to slightly better voltages reaching the relays and starter contacts, so I will be prepared to replace them some point later when this flares up again.