Erratic Starter Behavor

[hitchhykova]

As of late, the starter in my 1991 Legacy LSi has been getting more and more fussy.

Some days, it's perfect, it just turns right over, engine starts right up and I'm off to work and what not.

As of late, it's delaying, I turn the key, and nothing, just a click under the hood. I've found that if I hold the key for a second or two, it'll work as it should, and start right up.

It's not acting like there's a major draw when it just "clicks", the lights don't dim down until the starter actually works, so I don't think it's going bad.

Any ideas what would cause it to hesitate before turning?

[ericem]

Clean the contacts in the starter relay I would thing.

[hitchhykova]

Clean the contacts in the starter relay I would thing.

Starter relay? Where's that located?

[ericem]

heres a good thread to help you out.

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic. ... rter+relay

[kimokalihi]

I have this problem too with my 90 L wagon I sold to my mom who gave it to my sister.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it just clicks. Sometimes nothing. I've tested the wires and they're good. I've put in a new starter and it did the same thing. I replaced the contacts in the old one and that still didn't fix it.

I think it's the ignition switch. I did replace it once. I think ever since then I've had the problems.

[Legacy777]

Starter solenoid contacts.

Scroll to the bottom of this page and order two of A, the smaller contacts

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml

[kimokalihi]

You can also search on ebay for starter contacts or subaru starter or something like that. There's a guy who sells the kits on there for our subarus. Comes with the plunger and the contacts and the bolts that hold the contacts on.

Great seller. Bought a kit from him and then bought contacts from him again after I messed up the ones in the kit experimenting with them.