Starter Help!
#1
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Bay Area CA
Posts: 351
Car Info: 03 wrx
Starter Help!
Hey guys. I'm looking for some help figuring out what's going on with my starting system.. I didn't see any similar issues in the Search. I found other with the same problem on Google, but none posted the solution. Read on for details..
The issue is every so often I'll hear the starter click, but it won't turnover. It'll eventually start after a few tries. It is very intermittent.
Background:
The issue started last summer and has progressively gotten worse. At first, it seemed like it would only do it when the car was hot. Over time, it seemed to take more tries to get the car started, but it would always end up starting.
I figured the starter was going out, so I replaced it a couple of weeks ago. Everything seemed fine, until yesterday. I tried go to out for lunch, and I had the same issue. I kept trying to crank it over, until the you didn't hear the starter solenoid engage anymore. I think it might be from the relay under the dash heating up.. I ended up leaving it since I had to get back to work. Got off work and it started right up.
I got home and duplicated the issue after a few tries, so I checked the following:
battery connections: tight and clean.
battery voltage: good. I even had a jumper hooked up, but it would still do the same thing.
starter relay: I'm assuming it's okay. I swapped it with my horn relay and still same issue.
Looking for any suggestions on where to look next or if anyone has solved this issue. I have a cheap volt/amp meter from Harbor Freight. I was going to check the wiring from the battery to the starter.
Any help is appreciated!
The issue is every so often I'll hear the starter click, but it won't turnover. It'll eventually start after a few tries. It is very intermittent.
Background:
The issue started last summer and has progressively gotten worse. At first, it seemed like it would only do it when the car was hot. Over time, it seemed to take more tries to get the car started, but it would always end up starting.
I figured the starter was going out, so I replaced it a couple of weeks ago. Everything seemed fine, until yesterday. I tried go to out for lunch, and I had the same issue. I kept trying to crank it over, until the you didn't hear the starter solenoid engage anymore. I think it might be from the relay under the dash heating up.. I ended up leaving it since I had to get back to work. Got off work and it started right up.
I got home and duplicated the issue after a few tries, so I checked the following:
battery connections: tight and clean.
battery voltage: good. I even had a jumper hooked up, but it would still do the same thing.
starter relay: I'm assuming it's okay. I swapped it with my horn relay and still same issue.
Looking for any suggestions on where to look next or if anyone has solved this issue. I have a cheap volt/amp meter from Harbor Freight. I was going to check the wiring from the battery to the starter.
Any help is appreciated!
#4
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 561
Car Info: 93 Impreza LS, 05 WRX Wagon, 98 Impreza Wagon
I had a similar problem in my Acura. Turns out it was the main relay under the dash that controlled the fuel pump. Starter engaged but no fuel. The solder joints inside the relay were the culprit. When the temperature inside the vehicle warmed up during the day, the connections would expand and cause an open. Upon cooling later in the day the solder joints would contract and regain a good connection again. Swapped out the relay and good to go.
#5
previously known as wrxBRAH
iTrader: (17)
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Jose / Campbell
Posts: 3,383
Car Info: 2004 FXT
I think you're talking about the PGM/FI relay and yea those are always fun to diagnose in Hondas. Everytime I've seen a bad one its had intermittent or no start. Starter solenoid would never click.
#6
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iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 561
Car Info: 93 Impreza LS, 05 WRX Wagon, 98 Impreza Wagon
Since OP's starter was replaced I would try and troubleshoot relays or the fuel pump. My bet though is on a relay. They're a common failure point. Replace -don't bother trying to open it up and repair the solder joints.
#7
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iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Bay Area CA
Posts: 351
Car Info: 03 wrx
I had a similar problem in my Acura. Turns out it was the main relay under the dash that controlled the fuel pump. Starter engaged but no fuel. The solder joints inside the relay were the culprit. When the temperature inside the vehicle warmed up during the day, the connections would expand and cause an open. Upon cooling later in the day the solder joints would contract and regain a good connection again. Swapped out the relay and good to go.
#8
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Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Bay Area CA
Posts: 351
Car Info: 03 wrx
Bump. This has got me stumped. The only problem I'm ending up at is a bad starter (solenoid).
I did voltage drop test on all wires to and from the starter. Nothing more than 0.1v. The problems seems to be more prevalent when the car was hot, so I heated up the starter and wires with dryer and it cranked over. I tried a new battery and the no crank still happens.
Any suggetsions on what else to check?? If I can't fix it by the end of the week I'll probably just trade it in. Does anyone here work in sales?
I did voltage drop test on all wires to and from the starter. Nothing more than 0.1v. The problems seems to be more prevalent when the car was hot, so I heated up the starter and wires with dryer and it cranked over. I tried a new battery and the no crank still happens.
Any suggetsions on what else to check?? If I can't fix it by the end of the week I'll probably just trade it in. Does anyone here work in sales?
#10
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