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01-14-2019, 10:51 AM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 249966
Join Date: Jun 2010
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: NY
Vehicle:2002 Impreza WRX 2.0 WRB |
2002 WRX Weird starting issues
Car is a 2002 WRX, Optima yellow top battery.
I have not checked the voltages as of this morning, im at work now but I will check them later and post updated numbers. What I noticed the car doing is sometimes I turn the key to start and nothing happens. Dash lights go on but car does not crank, no click nothing. If i turn the key in the ignition back and forth a few times then the car cranks slowly and starts. When I first noticed this issue I checked the alt voltage and battery voltage and everything seeming to be good. Went over the grounds, connections and cleaned everything. Problem still persists. I've noticed lately the car struggles to turn-over and start. Obviously when its colder it worse or if I don't drive the car for a day or two. I also have a 2002 wagon that starts instantly when I turn the key, I took the battery out of that just to see if it would make a difference... it did not. I use the car monday to friday for a short commute in the morning and evening. Less than two miles each way. ideas?
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01-14-2019, 10:53 AM | #2 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 479808
Join Date: Dec 2017
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: Bucks county Pa
Vehicle:02 Impreza wrx 2.0 Grey |
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01-14-2019, 11:03 AM | #3 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 220971
Join Date: Aug 2009
Chapter/Region:
South East
Location: NC
Vehicle:2004 Impreza |
The 16 year old starter , that makes 2 starts minimum a day approx 240 times a year. Might be worn out.
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01-14-2019, 11:39 AM | #4 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 448222
Join Date: Jun 2016
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: South Eastern Massachusetts
Vehicle:2002 WRX Silver Metallic |
Have you tried hitting the starter lightly with a hammer? If you use a long blunt punch you can get to it from the top without much difficulty. If that changes the starting issues then you need a new starter. If you have a good meter and an amp clamp, you could also check the starter draw. Should be drawing 125-175ish amps if I recall correctly. Any more or less and have issues.
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01-14-2019, 11:42 AM | #5 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 448222
Join Date: Jun 2016
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: South Eastern Massachusetts
Vehicle:2002 WRX Silver Metallic |
You also aren't driving that car enough to fully warm up the engine or to fully charge that battery. Driving patterns like that (aka "grandma cars") are really rough on engine internals and other components.
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01-14-2019, 12:31 PM | #6 | |||
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 249966
Join Date: Jun 2010
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: NY
Vehicle:2002 Impreza WRX 2.0 WRB |
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Going to double check the voltage later today. |
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01-14-2019, 12:35 PM | #7 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 479808
Join Date: Dec 2017
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: Bucks county Pa
Vehicle:02 Impreza wrx 2.0 Grey |
Quote:
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01-14-2019, 02:18 PM | #8 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 448222
Join Date: Jun 2016
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: South Eastern Massachusetts
Vehicle:2002 WRX Silver Metallic |
Yeah, that's how we replace batteries at the dealership where I work to avoid memory loss. Just be sure to insulate the positive terminal so it can't short to ground.
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01-16-2019, 11:58 AM | #9 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 53443
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Anchorage, AK
Vehicle:2001 LL Bean Outback Winestone |
Before you replace the starter motor I suggest you check the voltage at the starter solenoid while cranking the engine. You should see around 10.6 or more volts there while cranking the engine. If it is less than that make sure the main cables to the solenoid and ground are okay. There should be less than 1 volt of voltage drop across each wire while cranking the engine. There could be corrosion inside the wire at the battery terminal causing the issue. Another possible problem with low voltage at the starter is can be caused by faulty starter windings and case extra current draw on the battery.
You should never check the charging system by disconnecting the battery while the engine is running. It can cause voltage spikes on the DC buss. To check for excessive AC ripple voltage measure the AC voltage across the battery while the engine is running around 1,500RPM. There should be less than 0.1 VAC there. Make sure your meter blocks DC voltage in the AC mode, not all meters do. If you measure a battery voltage while in the AC volts mode and get a steady reading then that meter doesn't block the DC component and the reading can fool you. You need to know your meter. |
01-16-2019, 12:03 PM | #10 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 249966
Join Date: Jun 2010
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: NY
Vehicle:2002 Impreza WRX 2.0 WRB |
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02-01-2019, 10:28 AM | #11 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 249966
Join Date: Jun 2010
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: NY
Vehicle:2002 Impreza WRX 2.0 WRB |
Solved the issue. Alternator good and battery is also good. There was some tape on the wire going from the battery to the starter. When I opened it up it looks like someone extended the wire but it was very badly crimped, literally falling apart.
As a temporary measure I soldered the wire put some heatshrink on and taped it up. Car started up perfectly without an issue. Once the weather warms up I will get a proper single length of wire and replace it. |
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