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1995 Subaru Legacy LSi Won't Start

Tiny
BORGNINE
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 SUBARU
For the last couple weeks I've had issues starting my car. I'd keep turning the ignition and would hear the clicking of the starter solenoid but the starter motor didn't seem to turn. Eventually, it would turn and the engine would start. I went out and bought a new starter, but I didn't put it in. Yesterday, the same thing happened, but eventually I stopped hearing the click of the solenoid and I semeed to be low on juice from the battery. So, I thought I'd replace the starter and see if that fixed the problem.

So, after finally getting the starter swapped out with a new one, I'm still having the same problem. I'm getting nothing. I'm not hearing the solenoid click or anything. I am getting power from the battery and I even tried jumper cables to make sure. Still, I turn the key, my light don't dim, so I'm really not pulling any juice and the starter is doing nothing.

Please help, could it be some fusable link somewhere?

Thanks in advance!

Ryan
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Sunday, November 11th, 2007 AT 2:05 AM

17 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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Look below and start at the fuse all the way down to the starter motor, determine your type of transmission and follow that circuit


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_s1_1.jpg




https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_s2_1.jpg

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Sunday, November 11th, 2007 AT 3:23 AM
Tiny
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Thank you for your quick reply.

I hope this isn't too dumb a question, but where is the fuse from the ignition to the starter. I have an automatic if that helps.

RYan
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Sunday, November 11th, 2007 AT 5:05 AM
Tiny
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The fuse is located in the main fuse box left side of engine compartment. Slow blow fuse no.4 45amp
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Sunday, November 11th, 2007 AT 1:44 PM
Tiny
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OK. The fuse and fusable link are intact and when I remove the fuse I get no power at all to the dash, lights, etc. So, at least that part is OK. Moving on, I assume there is some short or disconnected wire between my ignition switch and the solenoid. It would seem this is moving beyond my realm of ability/time and time to take it to a mechanic. Unless, of course, you can point out something obvious I should be checking.

Otherwise, I appreciate your help and input.

Ryan
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Sunday, November 11th, 2007 AT 4:35 PM
Tiny
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Lets start at the clutch switch when key in start position one side of the switch should have power if so press the clutch in the other side should have power if not the switch is defective if there's no power at all the ignition switch is bad.
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Sunday, November 11th, 2007 AT 5:30 PM
Tiny
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Since I have an automatic transmission, sorry I wasn't clear about that, I won't be able to test that way, right? Anyway, if I move the drive selector to any position, Part, Reverse, Neutral, etc, it acts exactly the same way. I have full power in the cabin and I actually do hear some stuff happening in the engine compartment, I assume the fuel pump, but nothing to the starter. No dimming lights like the starter is pulling any amps.

Does this help?

Ryan
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Sunday, November 11th, 2007 AT 7:17 PM
Tiny
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Do this take a jumper wire long enough to reach the starter from the battery hook the wire to the starter solenoid small terminal now take the other end and tap the battery positive post-did the starter crank the engine over? If not and battery is good then you have a bad new starter
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Sunday, November 11th, 2007 AT 8:34 PM
Tiny
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OK, now I'm assuming when you say small terminal you're referring to the "flat" terminal from the ignition. Not the bolted down terminal from the battery? Right? Anyway, I finagled a jumper cable to the flat terminal and touched the positive terminal on the battery and all I got was sparks. No solenoid click or motor whir.

Now, the old starter I did hook up to a battery after I took it out and the solenoid fired but the motor didn't turn. The solenoid was not firing when it was hooked up on the engine, but was after I took it out and directly hooked to a battery.
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Sunday, November 11th, 2007 AT 9:16 PM
Tiny
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Could it be the cable from the negative terminal?
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Sunday, November 11th, 2007 AT 9:18 PM
Tiny
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Could/should I run a test with a jumper on the big/round terminal on the starter to the negative terminal on the battery, and a jumper on the flat/small terminal on the starter to the positive terminal on the battery?
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Sunday, November 11th, 2007 AT 9:20 PM
Tiny
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Stop everything-All I wanted you to do is-get a jumper wire long enough to reach the small terminal on the starter and tap the the battery positive terminal with the other end-did the starter crank the engine over. This is the only wire we need you don't even have to put key in the igniton switch it'll crank the engine over if the battery is good.
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Monday, November 12th, 2007 AT 2:23 AM
Tiny
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OK, I was just thinking aloud, didn't actually do anything.
But, could you please verify to me which terminal you are talking about. The small terminal is the small, flat one right?
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Monday, November 12th, 2007 AT 2:27 AM
Tiny
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How many small terminal do you have at the starter-pick the one that says S on it. Actually you don't need a long wire about 6inches long is needed-just use the battery terminal the big terminal at the starter and jump it over to the little one did the starter kick over?
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Monday, November 12th, 2007 AT 2:37 AM
Tiny
BORGNINE
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It's a really tight area, but I think I was able to bridge between the two terminals and all I'm getting is some sparks but no solenoid or motor movement. I'm thinking I should take the starter out and take it back and have it tested. What do you think?
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Monday, November 12th, 2007 AT 3:53 AM
Tiny
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If its not doing anything when the small and big big terminal gets jumped then something is wrong with the starter.

Take it back and have them do a starter curent draw test.
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Monday, November 12th, 2007 AT 11:13 AM
Tiny
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Yep, it was the starter! Exchanged it for another and now my car starts, YEEEAAHHH!

Thank you for your help!

Ryan
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Monday, November 12th, 2007 AT 9:32 PM
Tiny
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I love happy people makes feel good that I did my job, that is the purpose am here for to help people in need.

You have a nice Holidays and Good Luck to you-tell friends about us we'll be waiting for them.
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Tuesday, November 13th, 2007 AT 4:28 PM

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