Starter will not shut off

Tiny
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 SUBARU OUTBACK
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 243,843 MILES
Hi, if you want to start it, you must make sure to push the gear shift all the way up to P and sometimes give it a jiggle. Additionally, in the last week or two, the key doesn't turn smoothly anymore, and it takes jiggling, repositioning of the key, jiggling the gear shift, and the stars and moon aligned just-so and it will finally start. Today though, it started but won't shut off! I disconnected the battery cable, and my suspicion is that the problem is within the ignition cylinder. Does this sound right? And if so, is this something relatively easy to replace? Thanks!
Saturday, June 12th, 2021 AT 8:25 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
The fact that you have to push on the shifter to get it to crank sounds like the position switch issue. Basically your vehicle has a switch that is closed when the vehicle is in Park and if this is not closed then the engine will not crank or the key won't release.

However, the not shutting off sounds like a possible second issue.

I would suggest starting with checking the voltage on this switch when in park and go from there. You should have 12 volts on the switch when it is in park. So you are going to want to check what the switch is seeing which means you want to back probe each of the wires at the switch.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

I attached the wiring below which will help with this. Also, I attached info on this switch and operation. Please let us know what you find and we can go from there. Thanks
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Sunday, June 13th, 2021 AT 9:32 AM
Tiny
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you so much for this helpful reply! I am having an awfully hard time with this car, finding which fuse is what. There seem to be no diagrams. I have looked in Haynes, Chilton, the owner's manual, all over the internet, and on the bottom of the fuse box lid.
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Sunday, June 13th, 2021 AT 12:45 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Here are the fuse panels that are in AllData. Please let us know if you need more info. Thanks
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Monday, June 14th, 2021 AT 8:04 PM
Tiny
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Okay, thanks again! Very helpful.
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Wednesday, June 16th, 2021 AT 1:07 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
You are welcome. Please let us know how you make out or if you have more questions. Thanks
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Thursday, June 17th, 2021 AT 7:48 PM

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