New Starter? - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

grimm · 08-06-2009, 06:33 PM

So i think i need a new starter in my bugeye, i went to leave work today, and put the key in, turned it, click.... turned it again click....

Got 2 friends to help push me out of my parking spot up a slight incline in the parking lot, let it roll forward a bit, turned the key, started right up. Drove home with no problems, parked in my driveway, tried to start her up again, click...

I hadn't noticed any signs of problems previously.

Anyway. anyone happen to have a starter in their garage they want to sell? anyone/shop happen to have the time to fix this for me tomorrow?

Thanks in advance.
Chris.

RyanG · 08-06-2009, 06:59 PM

battery, get it tested. If not I can squeeze you in tomorrow

grimm · 08-06-2009, 07:07 PM

voltmeter read 14 the whole way home, even while at idle.
really wish i could find one to purchase, it's not really a hard job, just no one has one around me (that i know of), and subaru has closed for the day.

i might have to take you up on that, you're like an hour or so away, thats the only bummer.

RyanG · 08-06-2009, 07:43 PM

gotta actually test the battery. You are reading alt volts ;)

take the battery into autozone and have those monkeys test it.

grimm · 08-06-2009, 08:03 PM

oh.. my bad.. will do.
thanks.

teh DIRT · 08-06-2009, 08:51 PM

having the exact same problem, lol. most likely the battery. It started doing a click once then it would start.

now im having to click it like 40 times before it starts. I know its the battery, im just in denial. No monies.

IMPREZvWRX · 08-06-2009, 09:01 PM

I actually had a problem with my car that sounds just like yours. It would start sometimes, voltage was good, but wouldn't start other times. It actually turned out that the wire jumper from the solenoid to the starter motor itself came loose. The nut was completely gone and the ring terminal was just kinda sitting on the stud. I just found another nut, added a star washer and a lock washer for good measure. Check it out, you might not need to pay anything to fix it. Can't hurt to look.

grimm · 08-06-2009, 09:40 PM

took battery to autozone, test said to charge and re-test. I'm charging now, i'll re-test tomorrow. Sure hope it's the battery. Much cheaper.

06WRBScoob · 08-06-2009, 10:38 PM

get a multi meter have your buddy hold it across the battery, turn the key and see what your voltage is. If you drop below 10 - 9 Volts is the battery. If it holds high its the starter or solinoid. How olds the battery? The factory battery isent the best in the world. As for cost the starter and the battery are about the same price. (shopping for a good deal) Obviously the battery is more convienant to change. Starter isent horrible though

RyanG · 08-06-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grimm

took battery to autozone, test said to charge and re-test. I'm charging now, i'll re-test tomorrow. Sure hope it's the battery. Much cheaper.

that charge and retest is an easy way of saying buy a battery. the CCA's are probably under 100 which wont turn a light bulb on ;)

grimm · 08-07-2009, 07:26 AM

I tried to charge the battery overnight now i get nothing, not even a click, all my electrical inside the car works Lights and highbeams stay on without dimming, radio/cdchanger/amp/powered subwoofer all seem to stay on as well.
I'll do the voltmeter test while turning ignition... see what it says. Edit> it doesn't drop. stays at 12
Also just to clarify, when i said it would click, it would not do it repetitively, one click per key turn

puzzled i am.

Evan@Akuma · 08-07-2009, 08:28 AM

Check for any grounds that may be loose.. especially near the starter. If the starter did actually go bad I have an extra one. Let me know.

Evan

grimm · 08-07-2009, 08:33 AM

i'll do that now, last night everything seemed buttoned up. But it was dark i could have missed something.
Is it that rare for a starter to go? I have 140K on the engine?

could you pm me what you would want for the starter?

IMPREZvWRX · 08-07-2009, 09:43 AM

The click you heard was probably the solenoid. Check the signal wire to the solenoid (small black wire w/ spade terminal) and the jumper from the solenoid to the starter motor (large copper wire with ring terminal).

grimm · 08-07-2009, 10:44 AM

checked the the signal wire and starter motor wire, both were connected, i disconnected and cleaned the signal wire.

also noticed that the dumbass that installed my alarm ran the wires under the steering shaft/rack which resulted in my alarm siren wire getting wrapped around it and snapped. there is another wire coming thru the fire wall there that looks snapped as well.

grimm · 08-07-2009, 03:21 PM

replaced starter and battery still no go. I'm guessing the signal wire connector is loose or has a bad connection?

teh DIRT · 08-07-2009, 03:22 PM

you replaced both parts and its still doing it? whaa?

hey check your main ground and batt pos cable.

grimm · 08-07-2009, 03:28 PM

yea and to top it off i didn't know if i open up the starter i don't get the core return.

check for what? they are snug, battery pos has some minor corrosion from old battery, i'll brush that off and see.

06WRBScoob · 08-07-2009, 04:54 PM

You mention wiring problems with the alarm, i would run that all down first. Possible you have a blown fuse, bad connection somthing of that nature.

06WRBScoob · 08-07-2009, 04:56 PM

+ one more thing, is it a 5spd or auto? could be a clutch safty switch or n safety switch. Does it have remote start? hood switch? Just trying to think off hand what would stop the car from turning over, but would allow the car to run once running.

08-06-2009, 06:33 PM	#1
grimm Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Member #3058 iTrader: (2)	New Starter? So i think i need a new starter in my bugeye, i went to leave work today, and put the key in, turned it, click.... turned it again click.... Got 2 friends to help push me out of my parking spot up a slight incline in the parking lot, let it roll forward a bit, turned the key, started right up. Drove home with no problems, parked in my driveway, tried to start her up again, click... I hadn't noticed any signs of problems previously. Anyway. anyone happen to have a starter in their garage they want to sell? anyone/shop happen to have the time to fix this for me tomorrow? Thanks in advance. Chris. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

08-06-2009, 06:59 PM	#2
RyanG Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Easton, PA Member #63 iTrader: (1)	battery, get it tested. If not I can squeeze you in tomorrow __________________ I am Area1320 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

08-06-2009, 07:07 PM	#3
grimm Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Member #3058 iTrader: (2)	voltmeter read 14 the whole way home, even while at idle. really wish i could find one to purchase, it's not really a hard job, just no one has one around me (that i know of), and subaru has closed for the day. i might have to take you up on that, you're like an hour or so away, thats the only bummer. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

08-06-2009, 07:43 PM	#4
RyanG Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Easton, PA Member #63 iTrader: (1)	gotta actually test the battery. You are reading alt volts ;) take the battery into autozone and have those monkeys test it. __________________ I am Area1320 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

08-06-2009, 08:03 PM	#5
grimm Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Member #3058 iTrader: (2)	oh.. my bad.. will do. thanks. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

08-06-2009, 09:01 PM	#7
IMPREZvWRX Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2005 Member #164 iTrader: (3)	I actually had a problem with my car that sounds just like yours. It would start sometimes, voltage was good, but wouldn't start other times. It actually turned out that the wire jumper from the solenoid to the starter motor itself came loose. The nut was completely gone and the ring terminal was just kinda sitting on the stud. I just found another nut, added a star washer and a lock washer for good measure. Check it out, you might not need to pay anything to fix it. Can't hurt to look.

08-06-2009, 09:40 PM	#8
grimm Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Member #3058 iTrader: (2)	took battery to autozone, test said to charge and re-test. I'm charging now, i'll re-test tomorrow. Sure hope it's the battery. Much cheaper. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

08-06-2009, 10:38 PM	#9
06WRBScoob Tri-State Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Member #8007 My Ride: 06 WRB WRX VF34 iTrader: (0)	get a multi meter have your buddy hold it across the battery, turn the key and see what your voltage is. If you drop below 10 - 9 Volts is the battery. If it holds high its the starter or solinoid. How olds the battery? The factory battery isent the best in the world. As for cost the starter and the battery are about the same price. (shopping for a good deal) Obviously the battery is more convienant to change. Starter isent horrible though __________________ Wish i was Fast & Cool like 215ek so i could get spotted To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

08-07-2009, 07:26 AM	#11
grimm Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Member #3058 iTrader: (2)	I tried to charge the battery overnight now i get nothing, not even a click, all my electrical inside the car works Lights and highbeams stay on without dimming, radio/cdchanger/amp/powered subwoofer all seem to stay on as well. I'll do the voltmeter test while turning ignition... see what it says. Edit> it doesn't drop. stays at 12 Also just to clarify, when i said it would click, it would not do it repetitively, one click per key turn puzzled i am. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. Last edited by grimm; 08-07-2009 at 07:35 AM.

08-07-2009, 08:28 AM	#12
Evan@Akuma Tri-State Training Wheels Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Central NJ Member #14244 My Ride: GT42 Mach1 iTrader: (0)	Check for any grounds that may be loose.. especially near the starter. If the starter did actually go bad I have an extra one. Let me know. Evan __________________ GT42 Mach 1 in progressthe burner 05 Aspen White STithe turner Fabricator/ Technician at Akuma Motorsports

08-07-2009, 08:33 AM	#13
grimm Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Member #3058 iTrader: (2)	i'll do that now, last night everything seemed buttoned up. But it was dark i could have missed something. Is it that rare for a starter to go? I have 140K on the engine? could you pm me what you would want for the starter? __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

08-07-2009, 09:43 AM	#14
IMPREZvWRX Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2005 Member #164 iTrader: (3)	The click you heard was probably the solenoid. Check the signal wire to the solenoid (small black wire w/ spade terminal) and the jumper from the solenoid to the starter motor (large copper wire with ring terminal).

08-07-2009, 10:44 AM	#15
grimm Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Member #3058 iTrader: (2)	checked the the signal wire and starter motor wire, both were connected, i disconnected and cleaned the signal wire. also noticed that the dumbass that installed my alarm ran the wires under the steering shaft/rack which resulted in my alarm siren wire getting wrapped around it and snapped. there is another wire coming thru the fire wall there that looks snapped as well. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

08-07-2009, 03:21 PM	#16
grimm Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Member #3058 iTrader: (2)	replaced starter and battery still no go. I'm guessing the signal wire connector is loose or has a bad connection? __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

08-07-2009, 03:28 PM	#18
grimm Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2006 Member #3058 iTrader: (2)	yea and to top it off i didn't know if i open up the starter i don't get the core return. check for what? they are snug, battery pos has some minor corrosion from old battery, i'll brush that off and see. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

08-07-2009, 04:54 PM	#19
06WRBScoob Tri-State Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Member #8007 My Ride: 06 WRB WRX VF34 iTrader: (0)	You mention wiring problems with the alarm, i would run that all down first. Possible you have a blown fuse, bad connection somthing of that nature. __________________ Wish i was Fast & Cool like 215ek so i could get spotted To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

08-07-2009, 04:56 PM	#20
06WRBScoob Tri-State Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Member #8007 My Ride: 06 WRB WRX VF34 iTrader: (0)	+ one more thing, is it a 5spd or auto? could be a clutch safty switch or n safety switch. Does it have remote start? hood switch? Just trying to think off hand what would stop the car from turning over, but would allow the car to run once running. __________________ Wish i was Fast & Cool like 215ek so i could get spotted To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Westbrook not the starter...	ozthunder	Off-Topic	21	12-22-2007 03:31 PM