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Old 11-17-2008, 03:33 AM   #1
Puffie40
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Default Hard starting 2002 Impreza

I was servicing My mother's 2002 impreza (With the naturally aspired 2.5) and the work I did was Change the oil, and replace the starter.

After replacing the starter (I removed the airbox to do it) and bolting everything together, I cranked it over. What th-

The darn thing will turn over without starting, and strangely, will start after turning off the starter and then giving it a another spin. Strange considering before I pulled the starter it started no problem.

After driving it around for a bit, the Check engine light went on. Huh? Everything seems to be connected (The three hoses to the airbox, the one wire going to the starter...). The oil's topped up...

I'm at a loss at were to check.
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Old 11-17-2008, 08:45 AM   #2
sniper1rfa
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Pull the code?
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Old 11-17-2008, 08:55 AM   #3
obs2008
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is the started seated correctly? wires hooked up to it right?
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Old 11-17-2008, 09:14 AM   #4
suzuki4life
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vacuum leak will result in a code....double check your lines.


I am chasing a gremlin myself. I know the pain.
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Old 11-17-2008, 10:27 PM   #5
Puffie40
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Default

I removed the three hoses to the airbox one by one while the car was running. Only the Center one made any difference in the engine idle.

Let's see... I did the usual safety thing of disconnecting the positive terminal while working on the starter...I removed the airbox and it's mount... I had to thread a socket w/extention and u-joint under the car to get the bottom nut... I moved a few hoses (Not disconnect) aside to install the starter...

I don't think it would be the starter. If it was not seated fully, it would make a racket while turning over, and only the positive lead goes to the motor... and the fact it turns the motor over typically rules out it was not hooked up right.

I don't have a service manual on this guy yet, but where is the diagnostic port? I don't think it would be like the old toyotas... would it?
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Old 11-17-2008, 10:38 PM   #6
GrundleJuice
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On some makes if the starter cranks but the engine only starts when you release the key from the "start" position on the ignition switch, its an indication of a worn ignition switch or a wiring problem somewhere... I do not know if the subaru ignition switches work this way, however. I have to ask why you changed the starter if it "started right up" before you pulled the starter, mostly for my curiosity.
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Old 11-18-2008, 12:07 AM   #7
sniper1rfa
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Puffie40 View Post
where is the diagnostic port?

center of the lowest panel in the drivers side dash, by your knees.
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Old 11-18-2008, 02:56 AM   #8
Puffie40
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Quote:
On some makes if the starter cranks but the engine only starts when you release the key from the "start" position on the ignition switch, its an indication of a worn ignition switch or a wiring problem somewhere...
Your idea strangely makes sense. There is one uncertain- that little wire going to the starter (Just what the heck is that for anyway?) I just plugged that one in by feel.

It was replaced with a Wilson model

Quote:
I have to ask why you changed the starter if it "started right up" before you pulled the starter, mostly for my curiosity.
It was sounding raspy. I dunno if something really was wrong with it. Dad insisted on replacing it.

Quote:
center of the lowest panel in the drivers side dash, by your knees.
Thanks!
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Old 11-18-2008, 08:04 PM   #9
Puffie40
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Well of all the things...

I found out what was wrong with it. The ground. I just remounted it and the car fired up like nothing happened. The Check Engine light went out too (It probably did not like the flooded exhaust gas coming out)

Alright. so far, problem solved! If it did not, I'll come right back!
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