Totally random start-up issues with this '99 Outback wagon with A/T and
88K miles. Some mornings it fires right up, others it takes anywhere
from 3 to 15 turns of the key to get it to turn over. Or, it will turn
over 3-4 times then stop. Other times of the day, it starts just fine,
but can also happen after work.
Alternator has been replaced and battery voltage at the terminals shows
nominal. I'm thinking starter (although this doesn't seem like a
typical starter failure) or ignition switch.
Anyone else experienced this? Recommendations on brand of starter if it
needs replacing?
Thanks for any help.
Tcassette - 27 Aug 2006 01:03 GMT
Check the cam position sensor. It should cause a CEL error if bad, but
maybe not.
> Totally random start-up issues with this '99 Outback wagon with A/T and
> 88K miles. Some mornings it fires right up, others it takes anywhere
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Thanks for any help.
Blair Baucom - 27 Aug 2006 01:09 GMT
Consider the park/neutral switch in the transmission also. Maybe try
starting in neutral to see if anything changes.
Blair
> Totally random start-up issues with this '99 Outback wagon with A/T and
> 88K miles. Some mornings it fires right up, others it takes anywhere
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Thanks for any help.
psyktek@earthlink.net - 27 Aug 2006 01:50 GMT
> Consider the park/neutral switch in the transmission also. Maybe try
> starting in neutral to see if anything changes.
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> >
> > Thanks for any help.
Thanks for these two suggestions. Starting in neutral makes no
difference, and the crank position sensor is out of my league. But I
can present that to my mechanic as a possibility.
Bob
Carl 1 Lucky Texan - 27 Aug 2006 03:17 GMT
> Totally random start-up issues with this '99 Outback wagon with A/T and
> 88K miles. Some mornings it fires right up, others it takes anywhere
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Thanks for any help.
Possibly the solenoid contacts. They can be changed, as can just the
solenoid, on many cars. Most folks just opt for a new or rebuilt
starter. The next time it refuses to start, try rapping on the starter
with a chunk of wood. Sometimes it shifts position of the contacts or
something enough to work. If it starts immediately, that would be
diagnostic for a bum starter.
Carl

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