starter replacement?

I don't know if your car uses a starter relay. A lot of imports don't. If it doesn't skip the step related to it.

Remove the starter relay, then see what happens. If the cranking stops, suspect the ignition switch. If it still cranks, disconnect the smaller solenoid wire from the starter. If it still cranks, the solenoid is stuck due to worn and arced contacts or the drive gear is preventing the solenoid from releasing.

If this started right after the starter was replaced, check if the smaller solenoid wire on the starter is touching the braided fat wire going from the solenoid into the starter motor.

How difficult is replacing the starter on a 1998 Subaru outback? I'm relatively handy and would like to do this myself.

Of course disconnect the battery. The starter is on the drivers side of the engine, almost right below the master cylinder.

if i start my car it wont shut back off without disconnecting the battery. then if i hook it back up the starter starts running and if the key is on it will start and run. but if key is off the starter just keeps running. i replaced the ignition switch and it did the same thing. don't know were to go from there.

It sound like the starter solenoid it stuck ion which is common but to confirm the issue. Here is the starter wiring diagrams and a guide to help you see what's going on.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find.

Cheers

There hasnt been any recent work done on the car. It just started doing it yesterday.

Is this problem just the starter staying engaged or that the engine won't shut off?

Kinda both. If the key is on and you hook up the battery it will start and run. But has like a miss. If the key is off and you hook up the battery then the starter just keeps running. If the car is running you can turn it off and take the key out and it keeps running. Then you have to disconnect the battery to get it to shut off. I got an ignition switch and put it in and it did the same thing so i put the old one back in. No need to waste $40. Everyone i talk to says that a relay would just go bad. But i wouldnt know what ones to check or how. Is there an ignition rely? Or the starter rely?

That's why I am asking. If this is ONLY a starter problem, then a relay could cause it but if the engine actually stays running, there is something else going on that will have to be chased down.

I guess maybe iy could be a starter problem. Its just keepn it running cuz the starter made it. Its like it restarts maybe? If the key is off the starter just keeps running. So would the starter rely be a good place to start? Got any ideas?

My car won't start. It slowly began turning over then gradually the turning over slowed down and now it won't turn over at all. Does this sound like a bad battery or a starter problem?

[quote:ff889d6f79="dcclough"]Engine problem
1997 Subaru Outback 4 cyl All Wheel Drive Automatic 122000 miles
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My car won't start. It slowly began turning over then gradually the turning over slowed down and now it won't turn over at all. Does this sound like a bad battery or a starter problem?[/quote:ff889d6f79]

Hello !!

Looks to me like the battery its weak, but the problem could be the alternator not charging the battery..

remove the battery get it recharge and make bench test your alternator.

Good Luck!

Yeah, I's start with the starter relay.

Thank you for your help.

I just called subaru to try to get a starter rely and it does not list one for an automatic. They said it does not hav one. So that sucks. I guess ill just have to start pulling relys out and test them all?

Yours has a security interrupt relay instead. It has to be that or the neutral switch on the transmission.

Ok. Thats what ill start checking then. Thank you fou your help.