I installed a new battery on my 2006 Outback Ltd 2.5i (4AT NA) . All voltages checked ok with ignition ON under load, but 1st time I turned to START I got not a click but more of a thud, and then all DC shut off. No dash, no dome, no alarm, no door chime.
Key out, back in, back to ON. All still dark and quiet.
Post to post still read 12.6V, as did positive to solenoid or other grounds. All the obvious under the hood fuses seemed good.
I went back to the car, as as soon as I opened the door it chimed. Sure enough, I’d left the key in and ignition ON, and now the dash is lit up etc.
Had I jostled something back into place? Reseated a fuse or relay that was a bit loose? Seemed unlikely, but maybe.. So I turned the key to START. Thud, and power disappears again.
I went through three more cycles - no power/connections etc. check out ok/return ignition to ON & power’s back/try to START & power shuts off). I tried to be gentle and NOT confound the testing by moving wires. So maybe the temporary power restoration was just due to the time it took to check things out?
On the fourth attempt, the starter kicked in and everything purred like it should. No problems for two days now. Also, once I got it running I saw that the clock – which had reset when I changed the battery – had kept time throughout the process.
I'm thinking that before I worry about the ignition switch, solenoid or starter it might be best to check the starter and security relays. I’d certainly appreciate anyone here who'd like to offer up an opinion/idea/suggestion. Thanks.
Key out, back in, back to ON. All still dark and quiet.
Post to post still read 12.6V, as did positive to solenoid or other grounds. All the obvious under the hood fuses seemed good.
I went back to the car, as as soon as I opened the door it chimed. Sure enough, I’d left the key in and ignition ON, and now the dash is lit up etc.
Had I jostled something back into place? Reseated a fuse or relay that was a bit loose? Seemed unlikely, but maybe.. So I turned the key to START. Thud, and power disappears again.
I went through three more cycles - no power/connections etc. check out ok/return ignition to ON & power’s back/try to START & power shuts off). I tried to be gentle and NOT confound the testing by moving wires. So maybe the temporary power restoration was just due to the time it took to check things out?
On the fourth attempt, the starter kicked in and everything purred like it should. No problems for two days now. Also, once I got it running I saw that the clock – which had reset when I changed the battery – had kept time throughout the process.
I'm thinking that before I worry about the ignition switch, solenoid or starter it might be best to check the starter and security relays. I’d certainly appreciate anyone here who'd like to offer up an opinion/idea/suggestion. Thanks.