Intermittent Difficult Starting on '94 SS

[Aki]

I just recently got a '94 SS with about 174K on it, clean motor, runs wonderfully. There is a minor, intermittent issue with starting, though.

Seems to happen more after it's been sitting out in the sun all day and now I'm led to believe it especially happens when the weather is warmer. About 5-10% of the time, so far, when trying to start the motor it doesn't engage the starter on the first try, no cranking at all. As it's got a WRX clutch and the pedal is quite a bit stiffer I thought I may just not be depressing the pedal all the way and triggering the clutch pedal position sensor. When it happened the first handful of times, I'd just try to turn the key again being sure to really solidly depress the pedal, and it would start fine on the 2nd or 3rd attempt.

Yesterday I tried the same steps and got nothing. Wouldn't catch at all, just a very quiet buzzing/ticking when turning the key to Start. Only major difference in conditions or anything special about yesterday was that is was really quite warm out (90s) for the first time. Jumped the car and it started fine.

Right away I had the usual tests done at a local parts store. Alternator, starter and battery all checked out. Can upload a scan of the printout from the tester if that helps.

Wondering if anyone else has experienced similar symptoms or can tell me of any known electrical gremlins that might cause this? As the major electrical bits and the starter all checked out, I can only assume it's grounding somewhere or there's some interruption to the starter solenoid or similar. Any advice would be very welcome!

[Legacy777]

Welcome to the BBS.

I'd suggest checking/replacing the starter solenoid contacts. I know you said you had the starter checked, but what I suspect is that with a higher voltage will jump the larger gap in the starter contacts. Changing the contacts is pretty easy and cheap.

Check out this thread for more info and pictures.

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=41495

[Aki]

Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely check that out!

[Legacy777]

You're welcome.

[cj91legss]

I had the stupid no start problem, i didn't look at the contacts or anything in the starter, but i did install a push button start. This has never failed me

[Aki]

Just wanted to follow up on this since I've finally gotten it fixed (just in time for the first 90+ degree day of the year!).

It turned out to be the ignition starter switch which screws in to the back side of the ignition. For whatever reason, it was separating and pushed out. I tried to remove it entirely to inspect but the two little screws didn't want to cooperate without threatening to strip. So, for the time being, a zip tie is holding the switch tight to the steering column.

[Legacy777]

Thanks for following up on what the problem was.