94 Impreza won't start. I'm shocked, comma, shocked.

[Michael Hudson]

Hello, Subaruphiles. I'm the not so proud owner of a
six-shades-of-red-and-rust '94 Impreza POS, 240K on it. We bought it
for $900 from a friend about a year ago. We've since dropped close to
that amount in it on brakes, brake lines and a number of other things I
don't remember. My son and friends were driving it around over the
Thanksgiving break - he's a college boy - and pulled up to the house
one night around 1:00 AM to raid the refrigerator. When he went back
out with his hoard of groceries, the thing wouldn't start. Turn the key
and all of the electrics function fine, but no noise whatsoever. No
cranking. Nothing. Could've been much worse, I know. Could have been
someplace many miles away from the homestead. I haven't the will to put
any more shekels into it but I need to be able to move it. I once had
a '93 Saab that would do the same thing until a mechanically adept
passerby (I am NOT mechanically adept) showed me how to rap the starter
with a hammer to get things going again, at least temporarily. Would
any of you know if a shot to the starter, wherever it is, might get the
Rust Bouquet rolling again, or have any other brilliant thoughts on how
to move the thing, short of towing?

Thanks very much,

Michael Hudson

 

[Edward Hayes]

I have used the bang-the-starter many time with other vehicles and it
can work. I however; would first check all the battery & ground
connections by removing-cleaning and retightening.

 

[Backfire Burrito=Skidmark]

Hello, Subaruphiles. I'm the not so proud owner of a
six-shades-of-red-and-rust '94 Impreza POS, 240K on it. We bought it
for $900 from a friend about a year ago. We've since dropped close to
that amount in it on brakes, brake lines and a number of other things I
don't remember. My son and friends were driving it around over the
Thanksgiving break - he's a college boy - and pulled up to the house
one night around 1:00 AM to raid the refrigerator. When he went back
out with his hoard of groceries, the thing wouldn't start. Turn the key
and all of the electrics function fine, but no noise whatsoever. No
cranking. Nothing. Could've been much worse, I know. Could have been
someplace many miles away from the homestead. I haven't the will to put
any more shekels into it but I need to be able to move it. I once had
a '93 Saab that would do the same thing until a mechanically adept
passerby (I am NOT mechanically adept) showed me how to rap the starter
with a hammer to get things going again, at least temporarily. Would
any of you know if a shot to the starter, wherever it is, might get the
Rust Bouquet rolling again, or have any other brilliant thoughts on how
to move the thing, short of towing?

Thanks very much,

Michael Hudson

With 240,000 miles on it...check in this order......
Since you say "No Noise whatsoever"....

ignition switch(check switch and mechanical linkage if used)
neutral/clutch safety switch (try in Neutral NOT Park)
Solenoid and contacts.(replace solenoid or starter)
Throwout bearing inside starter (they freeze on the shaft,replace starter)
Brushholder/brushes in starter (replace starter)

 

[Michael Hudson]

I have used the bang-the-starter many time with other vehicles and it
can work. I however; would first check all the battery & ground
connections by removing-cleaning and retightening.

Thanks, Edward, I'll do those things. Failing there, would you happen
to know where the starter is on this car and what it looks like? The
one on my Saab was up by the right front passenger's wheel and, while I
knew where to smack, I never really got a look at the thing.

Thanks again,

M

 

[Stephen H]

Hello, Subaruphiles. I'm the not so proud owner of a
six-shades-of-red-and-rust '94 Impreza POS, 240K on it. We bought it
for $900 from a friend about a year ago. We've since dropped close to
that amount in it on brakes, brake lines and a number of other things I
don't remember. My son and friends were driving it around over the
Thanksgiving break - he's a college boy - and pulled up to the house
one night around 1:00 AM to raid the refrigerator. When he went back
out with his hoard of groceries, the thing wouldn't start. Turn the key
and all of the electrics function fine, but no noise whatsoever. No
cranking. Nothing. Could've been much worse, I know. Could have been
someplace many miles away from the homestead. I haven't the will to put
any more shekels into it but I need to be able to move it. I once had
a '93 Saab that would do the same thing until a mechanically adept
passerby (I am NOT mechanically adept) showed me how to rap the starter
with a hammer to get things going again, at least temporarily. Would
any of you know if a shot to the starter, wherever it is, might get the
Rust Bouquet rolling again, or have any other brilliant thoughts on how
to move the thing, short of towing?

Thanks very much,

Michael Hudson

If, when turning the key you get a "click" from the starter (drivers side of
the engine top) then the starter contacts are burned. Common on Subie
starters and NOT a reason to buy a new starter. Remove starter (this can be
a chore without a lift) remove the 3 bolts on the solenoid; remove plunger
replace the two little copper "L" pieces that attach to the big lugs. (in
stock at a subie dealer) Clean the contacts of the copper plunger,
reassemble. I am assuming you have some mechanical knowledge and can take
something apart and put it together in the correct order.


--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Automobile Advanced Engine Performance
ASE Undercar Specialist
(now working at a Subaru dealership)


http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm
http://www.troublecodes.net/technical/
http://www.familycar.com/Alignment.htm

 

[Michael Hudson]

SHUDDER!

Clean the contacts of the copper plunger, reassemble. I am assuming you have some mechanical knowledge and can take something apart and put it together in the correct order.


--

Regrettably, Stephen, I wouldn't know a solenoid if it bit me on my ass
and I don't know what you mean by "lift." Given that I think I'm
better off staying away from the starter. I did clean and tighten the
batter terminals last night, however, to no avail. I detect no noise
whatever from the engine. When I turn the key, with the clutch fully
and completely depressed, I hear the workings of the switch itself and
nothing more. Dash light come on, headlights work.

My mechanical abilities aside, thanks very much for your advice.

Michael

 

[Ray]

Regrettably, Stephen, I wouldn't know a solenoid if it bit me on my ass
and I don't know what you mean by "lift." Given that I think I'm
better off staying away from the starter. I did clean and tighten the
batter terminals last night, however, to no avail. I detect no noise
whatever from the engine. When I turn the key, with the clutch fully
and completely depressed, I hear the workings of the switch itself and
nothing more. Dash light come on, headlights work.

My mechanical abilities aside, thanks very much for your advice.

Michael

I wonder if the switch on your clutch pedal is fubar and it thinks
you're trying to start it in gear.
Do the headlights dim when you turn the key? That implies the starter
motor is sucking back all the juice. No dimming = bad connection or
something is preventing the starter from engaging like a clutch switch.

Ray

 

[Michael Hudson]

I wonder if the switch on your clutch pedal is fubar and it thinks
you're trying to start it in gear.
Do the headlights dim when you turn the key? That implies the starter
motor is sucking back all the juice. No dimming = bad connection or
something is preventing the starter from engaging like a clutch switch.

Ray

Hey, Ray. I'm pretty sure there's no dimming, but I'll give it a whirl
when I get home tonight and report back. Much obliged.

Michael

 

[Michael Hudson]

CLICK!



I wonder if the switch on your clutch pedal is fubar and it thinks
you're trying to start it in gear.
Do the headlights dim when you turn the key? That implies the starter
motor is sucking back all the juice. No dimming = bad connection or
something is preventing the starter from engaging like a clutch switch.

Ray

Well, Ray, the headlights do, indeed, dim. Almost imperceptibly, yes,
but dim they do. Does that mean that I have a Juice Sucking Starter
Motor? Sounds like an insult, don't it?

Thanks in advance,

M

 

[Stephen H]

Have the battery tested or replaced first. Cheapest, easiest

--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Automobile Advanced Engine Performance
ASE Undercar Specialist
Currently working at a Subaru Dealership

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm
http://www.troublecodes.net/technical/
http://www.familycar.com/Alignment.htm

 

[Porgy Tirebiter]

Have the battery tested or replaced first. Cheapest, easiest

--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Automobile Advanced Engine Performance
ASE Undercar Specialist
Currently working at a Subaru Dealership

Dude......
YOU are ASC Certified and you said that????
Re-read the symptoms again......
The fact you can't troubleshoot something as simple as this AND you
currently work at a Subaru Dealship
Says it all....(NOT good)
Typical DEALER trouble-shooting..replace everything until it starts.
You are NOT ASC certified..you are $$$ certified...

 

[Stephen H]

">> Have the battery tested or replaced first. Cheapest, easiest

Dude......
YOU are ASC Certified and you said that????
Re-read the symptoms again......
The fact you can't troubleshoot something as simple as this AND you
currently work at a Subaru Dealship
Says it all....(NOT good)
Typical DEALER trouble-shooting..replace everything until it starts.
You are NOT ASC certified..you are $$$ certified...

With all due respect, I did mention TESTED/replaced. I would always test a
battery before replacing it. We are ASSUMING that all of his terminals are
clean and tight too. It is difficult to trouble shoot over the internet, but
guaranteed I could have an answer in under 5 minutes in a shop. Granted I
overlooked the "Almost imperceptibly, yes," statement and that does change
the look of things. But this is a free forum and he is not paying for
advise, we are all just trying to help.


--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Automobile Advanced Engine Performance
ASE Undercar Specialist
Currently working at a Subaru dealership

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm
http://www.troublecodes.net/technical/
http://www.familycar.com/Alignment.htm

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

">> Have the battery tested or replaced first. Cheapest, easiest


With all due respect, I did mention TESTED/replaced. I would always test a
battery before replacing it. We are ASSUMING that all of his terminals are
clean and tight too. It is difficult to trouble shoot over the internet, but
guaranteed I could have an answer in under 5 minutes in a shop. Granted I
overlooked the "Almost imperceptibly, yes," statement and that does change
the look of things. But this is a free forum and he is not paying for
advise, we are all just trying to help.

Exactly. Not being able to touch, drive or listen to a vehicle means no
reasonable diagnosis - just possibilities.

Carl

 

[Stephen H]

Exactly. Not being able to touch, drive or listen to a vehicle means no
reasonable diagnosis - just possibilities.

Carl

Why do people wish to challenge credentials based on a newsgroup posting. I
will admit I didn't follow the postings I did get the reply where the OP
said:

"Regrettably, Stephen, I wouldn't know a solenoid if it bit me on my ass
and I don't know what you mean by "lift." Given that I think I'm
better off staying away from the starter."

At this point if we can't direct him to check voltage on a solenoid, what
good is it to press on with advanced diagnostics. I admire the OP for
admitting we have entered a unknown area, I can type for hours on a subject
but not knowing the OP skills....

Sometimes I wonder why I give up the time.

Take care

Steve

 

[Michael Hudson]

SPUTTER!

Sometimes I wonder why I give up the time.

Take care

Steve

I appreciate everyone's time, and I do understand that a) diagnosing
from afar is very much a crapshoot and b) doing so for a person with my
limited mechanical ability is well nigh impossible (this past summer,
some long suffering folks from a Saab newsgroup talked me through
changing my own sparkplugs, which involved removing four screws and
lifing the direct ignition module straight up to access the plugs...
you would have thought I was attempting to separate conjoined twins).

Again, I most certainly appreciate any and all efforts expended on my
behalf!

Thanks,

M

 

[Stephen H]

">

I appreciate everyone's time, and I do understand that a) diagnosing
from afar is very much a crapshoot and b) doing so for a person with my
limited mechanical ability is well nigh impossible (this past summer,
some long suffering folks from a Saab newsgroup talked me through
changing my own sparkplugs, which involved removing four screws and
lifing the direct ignition module straight up to access the plugs...
you would have thought I was attempting to separate conjoined twins).

Again, I most certainly appreciate any and all efforts expended on my
behalf!

Thanks,

M

You own a Saab? I'm Sorry....

Steve

 

[Michael Hudson]

">
You own a Saab? I'm Sorry....

Steve

Yeah, an '02 9.5. And you know what else? I'm buying another Saab for
my son - that'll be my sixth Saab - so he won't have to drive that
POS death trap of a Subaru he's been tooling around in. Well, tooling
around in prior to the latest spell it took, I mean. I like Saabs. I
just can't help myself.

Shiny side up,

M

 

[Stephen H]

">> >

Yeah, an '02 9.5. And you know what else? I'm buying another Saab for
my son - that'll be my sixth Saab - so he won't have to drive that
POS death trap of a Subaru he's been tooling around in. Well, tooling
around in prior to the latest spell it took, I mean. I like Saabs. I
just can't help myself.

Shiny side up,

M

My theory has been eople who design aircraft shouldn't design cars. This
is from someone who worked on aircraft too! Every time I work on a Saab I
cry (followed by bmw and vw and Audi Volvo's)

Steve

 

[Stephen H]

"

My theory has been eople who design aircraft shouldn't design cars. This
is from someone who worked on aircraft too! Every time I work on a Saab I
cry (followed by bmw and vw and Audi Volvo's)

Steve

OK, Get him the Saab 9.2 or as we at the shop call it "The Saabbaru" I'll
buy off on it!



--
Stephen W. Hansen
ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
ASE Automobile Advanced Engine Performance
ASE Undercar Specialist
Currently working at a Subaru dealership

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm
http://www.troublecodes.net/technical/
http://www.familycar.com/Alignment.htm