More failure to start

[synthius2002]

I've got a failure to start problem that I'm sure is not the solenoid
or battery with my
'97 Subaru Legacy Outback wagon.

There was a rare intermittant problem for some time where I turn the
key, there are a few clunk
noises, and nothing happens. I would wait a few seconds and try again.
Once about a week ago
I had to wait a long time. I know there are a lot of safety interlock
things. I've assumed that
this is what the noises are. Most of them are behind the dashboard,
but sometimes there would
be a noise coming from behind me.

Now I might get a halfhearted crank or two, but the clicking noise is
cycling at about
10 times per second, which sounds nasty. I thought it might be related
to the cold, but today
I tried it again and the temp was above freezing.

I'm pretty sure it is a control/computer issue. A few months ago I
suspected that the
airconditioning came on by itself, which guys in another group said
they dealt with by
taking fuses out.

I'd like advice on dealing with car computer problems, which I have
very little experience with.

Also, there was another guy here earlier in the month with trouble
starting, and I wonder if his
problem is like mine.

Nils K. Hammer

 

[nobody >]

I've got a failure to start problem that I'm sure is not the solenoid
or battery with my
'97 Subaru Legacy Outback wagon.

There was a rare intermittant problem for some time where I turn the
key, there are a few clunk
noises, and nothing happens. I would wait a few seconds and try again.
Once about a week ago
I had to wait a long time. I know there are a lot of safety interlock
things. I've assumed that
this is what the noises are. Most of them are behind the dashboard,
but sometimes there would
be a noise coming from behind me.

Now I might get a halfhearted crank or two, but the clicking noise is
cycling at about
10 times per second, which sounds nasty. I thought it might be related
to the cold, but today
I tried it again and the temp was above freezing.

I'm pretty sure it is a control/computer issue. A few months ago I
suspected that the
airconditioning came on by itself, which guys in another group said
they dealt with by
taking fuses out.

I'd like advice on dealing with car computer problems, which I have
very little experience with.

Also, there was another guy here earlier in the month with trouble
starting, and I wonder if his
problem is like mine.

Nils K. Hammer

Even if the computer system is possibly at fault, go for the "simple
things" first. those are far more probable.

1) Have the battery "load tested" at an AutoZone or similar shop. A weak
battery can do exactly this. If you can't get to a shop, get a friend
with heavy jumper cables give you a jump start. If the symptoms go away,
you need a battery!

2) Check that the battery cables are in good shape, especially the (-)
negative cable.

3) The starter solenoid could be weak.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Even if the computer system is possibly at fault, go for the "simple
things" first. those are far more probable.

1) Have the battery "load tested" at an AutoZone or similar shop. A weak
battery can do exactly this. If you can't get to a shop, get a friend
with heavy jumper cables give you a jump start. If the symptoms go away,
you need a battery!

2) Check that the battery cables are in good shape, especially the (-)
negative cable.

3) The starter solenoid could be weak.

If this is an auto - try starting in neutral. maybe the safety switch is
bad?

Carl