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#1
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Weak Starter?
My car has been progressively getting less happy about starting over the last few months (it cranks very slowly, barely getting past the first compression). I changed the head gaskets in August but this was occuring before then. Initially I thought this was because the battery was not holding a charge, but I tried a new battery today and the situation is unchanged. How likely is it that the starter is getting weak and just can't turn the motor fast enough? My experience with starters is that they simply die. Either the solenoid takes a crap or the motor dies, but either way it's a quick affair rather than a slow gasping death.
Now that I think of it I'm also going to check the resistance on the starter cable, make sure it's sending current properly.
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Chris 92 Ebony Mica LS-L "A Rolling Restoration": 223,250 KM - Sleeping 2007 STi 6MT, Stance GR+ coilovers, PWR Rad, JDM hood badge, svxfiles 6000K HIDs, JDM Clear Corners, $15/15 min mod, $20/20 min mod, Energy Swaybar Bushings, Hella Supertones horns, Gold STi BBS rims, Group A lightweight crank pulley, A/C system removed, Custom header-back exhaust, Hybrid carbon/metal rear sway bar, restored headlights with CCFL halos 2008 Subaru Legacy Spec B - Diamond Grey Metallic - Sold 2020 Ram 1500 Longhorn - Red Pearl |
#2
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Re: Weak Starter?
If you have not done the "Bosch upgrade" it might be time.
Try to give the starter direct power on the solonode (blue wire). If it works you need to insert a relay between the starte and ignition, called the (bosch upgrade". |
#3
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Re: Weak Starter?
My understanding of the relay upgrade is that it cures intermittent no-start conditions. Turn key, nothing. Turn key again, start. This isn't what I have. The starter runs every time, the engine is just slow to crank.
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Chris 92 Ebony Mica LS-L "A Rolling Restoration": 223,250 KM - Sleeping 2007 STi 6MT, Stance GR+ coilovers, PWR Rad, JDM hood badge, svxfiles 6000K HIDs, JDM Clear Corners, $15/15 min mod, $20/20 min mod, Energy Swaybar Bushings, Hella Supertones horns, Gold STi BBS rims, Group A lightweight crank pulley, A/C system removed, Custom header-back exhaust, Hybrid carbon/metal rear sway bar, restored headlights with CCFL halos 2008 Subaru Legacy Spec B - Diamond Grey Metallic - Sold 2020 Ram 1500 Longhorn - Red Pearl |
#4
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Re: Weak Starter?
starter bearings could be worn causing a drag on the rotor...
also... might get someone to try to start the car while you check the battery voltage to see if there is a voltage drop... and if so, how much. Keith. Last edited by kwren; 09-22-2010 at 12:35 PM. |
#5
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Re: Weak Starter?
He's not having a start signal problem at the solenoid, its just the starter cranks slow after it engages. I would check the connections and condition of the main wire from the battery to the starter. I agree starters usually take a crap by clicking clicking then starting at first, then they just die outright. Slow crank is unusual.
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#6
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Re: Weak Starter?
Keith ....................... |
#7
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Re: Weak Starter?
Quote:
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-Jason (8/23/07-Present) 1995 Subaru SVX LSi (197k) Polo Green (#1102) 03/95 Mods: DDM Tuning 4500k 35w Low Beam HID, 100w H3 Bulbs, Extra Ground Cables, 15 minute $12.96 mod, svxfiles designed transmission mount (), sporting a "new" tail light bar, silver BBS rims, custom power steering cooler (one that doesn't dump ATF constantly), new negative lead cable, no more third or fourth gear (1977-Present) 1977 Chevrolet Corvette (81k) Silver (12/01/2011-Present) 2005 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited 5MT (97k) I have a bad feeling about this. -Obi Wan Kenobi |
#8
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Re: Weak Starter?
Actually, that proved to be a bandaid fix. The proper fix would be replacing the relay that is already in place. That is, if there are issues. I for one have never had issues with any of the 4 SVXi that I've owned, or the couple others that I have checked out and/or worked on. Granted, mine are lower mileage that a lot that seem to be out there.
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#9
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Re: Weak Starter?
Quote:
Keith |
#10
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Re: Weak Starter?
I know its not, I am correcting his info...
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#11
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Re: Weak Starter?
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I have had this exact same thing happen once, but it wasn't an SVX. Took motor apart, could barely get the armature out it was so rusted in there. - Gave everything a good cleaning and it was fine from there on. |
#12
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Re: Weak Starter?
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I would check for a resistance in the starter leads, when it is cranking. Check the voltage at the large starter terminal, and check for a voltage between the starter body and the battery neg terminal. Should not be any, unless one of the grounding wires is loose/missing. Harvey.
__________________
One Arm Bloke. Tell it like it is! 95 Lsi. Bordeaux Pearl, Aust. RHD.149,000Kls Subaru BBS wheels. 97 Liberty GX Auto sedan. 320,000Kls. 04 Liberty 30R Auto Premium. 92.000kls. |
#13
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Re: Weak Starter?
Quote:
The relay that is in the US starter system is in series with the Ignition switch and the gearbox inhibitor switch. Any of these contacts will arc and burn to reduce the current to the starter solenoid. The right fix is to fit the Bosch relay to prevent the high current, that flows in this circuit, from damaging the contacts. As most cars have, and Subaru should have done. Harvey.
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One Arm Bloke. Tell it like it is! 95 Lsi. Bordeaux Pearl, Aust. RHD.149,000Kls Subaru BBS wheels. 97 Liberty GX Auto sedan. 320,000Kls. 04 Liberty 30R Auto Premium. 92.000kls. |
#14
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Re: Weak Starter?
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#15
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Re: Weak Starter?
Did you try this or did you find the problem some were else?
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