[hreehoorn]

Hey all! Purchased my '07 about 5 months ago and have been lurking on this forum for a while now just trying to see what other people have done to theirs and gather overall info on the cars. I've been a gear head since I was probably 15 on audis, bmws, and a few others. This is my first Subaru and I'm stumped now. Left a friends house the other night stopped on the way home to get gas, after filling up, car would not crank at all. Lights come on, everything works, but no crank what so ever. Had the car towed home, tried doing all the security system lock relock cycles, etc. to no avail. Also tried resetting the ecu, problem persists. This same issue happened about a month ago but letting it sit over night and it resolved itself. Tried starting the car in neutral to bypass the inhibitor switch but did not work. I'm leaning towards an issue with a bad ground in the starting circuit. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[rasterman]

The immobilizer system doesn't interfere with cranking. It will cut the fuel pump so the car only runs a few seconds after starting.

The keyswitch itself could be contributing to this one- but it's just one link in the chain. Very likely just a corroded contact as you suspect.

 

[hreehoorn]

The keyswitch itself could be contributing to this one- but it's just one link in the chain. Very likely just a corroded contact as you suspect.

I assumed the key switch is fine because it does cut power to everything when in the crank position, so appears to be triggering ok. Where do you suggest I start to look and clean contacts? Im guessing the plug on the starter?

 

[rasterman]

Definitely worth hanging a test light on the small terminal on the starter to see if the power is getting that far.

If that doesn't turn out to be it, I would go back to the top (key switch) and follow it through from switch to starter.
@plain OM might want a piece of this one.

 

[Logie_OBXT]

Could simply be the starter. I'd give it a good hit with a rubber mallet or similar.

Check the relays as well.

 

[hreehoorn]

Could simply be the starter. I'd give it a good hit with a rubber mallet or similar.

Check the relays as well.

Gave the starter a good wack yesterday and tried but nothing. I can try again. What relay should I check? More so where is the location of the relay(s) connected to the starting circuit. Sorry I'm fairly new to these cars.

 

[plain OM]

Starter system is fairly simple (see attached wiring diagram).

Check fuse #21, 7.5 Amps, in the cabin fuse box for continuity, and for 12 V (i.e., battery voltage) on both ends when the key is turned to Start. (The location of the fuse is identified on page 12-7 of the Owners Manual as "Starter relay"). This will verify if the ignition switch is connecting properly in the Start position. If there's power to the fuse, there should be power to the ST-1 and ST-2 connections (at the top of the wiring diagram).

Also, when the key is turned to Start, power to accessories is cut off. Turn the radio or wipers on with the key at On, and then move the ignition to Start. If the engine doesn't crank but the radio/wipers stop working, then the internal part of the ignition switch is probably good.

As was suggested, check for 12 V at the small wire connector on the starter solenoid (B14 in the diagram), when the key is at Start. If there's 12 V then the problem is in the solenoid/starter. If there isn't 12 V, then the problem is upstream.

Start with this; the results can help focus the next steps.

 

[hreehoorn]

Thanks for the reply and insight. I'll give that a go and let you know what happens.

 

[hreehoorn]

Well I went to tinker ok the car with the roommate to further investigate and try what was suggested. The car was dead from being messed with so much so went to jump it, noticed the clamp for the ground in the negative post looked a little wonky. Pulled it off, cleaned it, seated it properly, and just for the sake of it, tried starting the car. Fired right up (with a jump) drove around for a bit, shut it off, and started right away again. I feel a little dumb and frustrated about this whole ordeal now. Funny that it was only the ground to the battery caused this, or so I hope. I'll update tomorrow morning if wether or both it starts fine again. Thanks again to everyone for the help and suggestions.

 

[hreehoorn]

Well problem has reamerged. Went to leave for work this morning and she wouldn't start. I'm lost now because I thought I found the issue at the ground and but nope.

 

[rasterman]

Did it ever get a good full charge after the previous episode?

Stripped thread on a clamp nut?

Just spitballing.

 

[RoughDiamond]

Hows the negative cable at the starter end look?

Should mount to a bracket directly above the starter.

 

[hreehoorn]

Clamp on the starter looks good. And it did get a good full charge, drove around for about an hour and then started fine the next morning. So I am entirely puzzled.