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1997 Subaru Legacy once warmed up will not restart after sh

Tiny
BIGGUNSNU
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 SUBARU LEGACY
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
Changed the engine in my Legacy Outback due to the typical head gasket issues. Now the car runs fantastic except for this little issue where once warmed up and driven to a destination it will not restart untill cooled for several hours. Tried jumping the starter from + terminal to the small prong on the starter and got only clicking, so I ass-u-me-d it was a bad starter and replaced it. Now I have the same issue as before, except where before if I tried to restart by using the ignition key starter would not make a sound, NOW I get a clicking from the new starter but no real attempt to engage. I am stumped.
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Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 AT 4:29 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Have you checked the charging system to make sure it is working? If not please do so we can make sure this is not an issue ok. Get back to me and we will go from there. Keep in mind it could be that you got a bad starter too.
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Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 AT 8:58 PM
Tiny
BIGGUNSNU
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Yes the charging system is great.
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 AT 4:58 AM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
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It sounds like you may have gotten a bad starter. I would take it off and explain you problem and have them warranty it out.
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 AT 10:22 AM
Tiny
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Tried it, unless I got 2 bad ones in a row not the starter.
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 AT 2:52 PM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Ok unless you are loosing power to the small term on the starter that comes from the ignition switch then you got another bad starter. So what I would do is use a test light or volt meter and check the power at the start make sure the battery wire has battery voltage and then make sure the small lead from the ignition has battery voltage when the key is in the start possition if both are good then it is the starter. Let me know what you find.
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Thursday, March 26th, 2009 AT 10:05 AM
Tiny
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Would a bad ground cause a much higher voltage to be read on this wire. I am getting way more than battery voltage. The negative lead from the batter does not appear to be where it was previous to the engine change, would this cause issues? Like I said this is the second new starter. Thanks
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Friday, March 27th, 2009 AT 5:32 PM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
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You could try and add a ground from the engine to the body to ensure a good ground if you like. But to get more the battery voltage don't seem possible the battery only has 12.7 on average. Let me know how it goes.
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Saturday, March 28th, 2009 AT 9:29 AM
Tiny
BIGGUNSNU
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  • 7 POSTS
I may try that added ground. I was getting way more than 12V off the small ignition wire. Multimeter on 1000V setting was reading 9. Was hoping that might lead us in a bad ground direction and an easy fix. Thanks for bearing with me.
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Sunday, March 29th, 2009 AT 9:26 AM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
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Set you meter on the 20v scale this will make it more acurate.
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Sunday, March 29th, 2009 AT 9:27 AM
Tiny
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Turns out the wifes nephew never ground the engine. While cold the chassis ground was good enough, once hot it was useless. Car runs beautifully now
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Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 AT 4:42 PM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
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Great glad to hear it if you need anything more just ask.
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Thursday, April 9th, 2009 AT 10:33 AM

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