2018 WRX No Response when turning key to crank engine at random times.

Cesar_h07 · 12-24-2019, 04:11 PM

I want to find out if anyone else has experienced this issue and found the cause.

I drive a 2018 wrx manual with a stage 2 tune from modern automotive performance that I have had for a year and a half. I got the car brand new and have put on about 11,500 miles.

Sometimes when I try to start the car and turn the key to on all my accessories turn on without issue and I get the Subaru chimes but when I turn the key to crank the engine I get absolutely no response. I usually cycle the key on and off and press and depress the clutch pedal multiple times until it actually responds and starts cranking. When it does crank, the engine starts without issue. This doesn’t happen every time I try to start it but it happens randomly. As I recall it’s happened from time to time ever since I’ve had it but it’s happening a little more frequently over the past few months. It’s happened through several tunes and even the stock calibration if I remember right.

I’ve observed that this happens most frequently after leaving it in gear when I park and has never happened from a completely cold start. For example it’s most likely to occur if I park at a grocery store, run in to get something quickly, and come back to turn the car on.

Has anyone else experienced this?

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Cougar4 · 12-24-2019, 04:26 PM

Power isn't getting to the ignition switch like it should, at least in the START position. Since some accessories are turned off in the START mode the trouble could also be just within the START circuit. First thing you should do is clean the battery connections. You may have to reset some memory things after you disconnect the battery and reconnect it. Checking for power to the dash fuses while in the START mode may help determining that the trouble is within the starter circuit though some fuse will not have power to them when in the START position. If the trouble is in the starter circuit then you will need to check for a problem with the safety switches used for the starter.

Cesar_h07 · 01-14-2020, 11:28 PM

So it turns out it’s because I wasn’t pushing the clutch pedal ALL the way to the floor, like pushing until the floor stops you. It’s weird because it doesn’t always need to be all the way to the floor, just pushed in as far as my short legs allowed. It kinda makes sense that it happened more often when I left it in gear.

Zirkhan · 02-16-2020, 11:11 PM

My 2018 Impreza is doing the same thing but it just randomly stopped starting and I can't get it to crank even with the clutch pressed all the way to the floor. It has a new battery and the battery is working. Only has 20k on it so I don't see how it could be the starter. I had my wife turn it over while I listened under the hood and the only noise I heard came from somewhere around the throttle body.

Mulder · 02-17-2020, 02:58 PM

Well it could be the starter, however unlikely on a 2018. But in order to narrow it down you need to do the proper troubleshooting before throwing parts at it.
The clutch switch could be the problem, it can be tested with a meter to see if it's closing when the pedal is fully depressed. It can also be temporarily bypassed with a wire or cliplead across the terminals, if the car then starts you have a switch that is either bad or misadjusted. Make sure you are testing the right switch, there is more than one at the clutch.
You can also connect a voltmeter or test light directly to the starter terminal and ground to see if power is getting to it when trying to crank. If you see full voltage there and have a no-crank condition then you may have a bad starter. In this case try giving it a tap with a small hammer or long bar before giving up on it, sometimes that does the trick.

Zirkhan · 02-18-2020, 09:48 PM

I just ended up sending it to the dealer. It's still under warranty and I don't have time to investigate. I'll post their findings in case there's future issues and people check this thread.

Cougar4 · 02-21-2020, 06:41 PM

My guess is you have something going on with the safety switch.

Zirkhan · Yesterday, 09:40 PM

Fixed. All the guy at the dealer said was "it was a signal wire to the starter that was disconnected" I've never had anything loosen itself like that... nonsense lol

12-24-2019, 04:11 PM	#1
Cesar_h07 Scooby Newbie Member#: 491013 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Indiana Vehicle: 2018 WRX WRB	2018 WRX No Response when turning key to crank engine at random times. I want to find out if anyone else has experienced this issue and found the cause. I drive a 2018 wrx manual with a stage 2 tune from modern automotive performance that I have had for a year and a half. I got the car brand new and have put on about 11,500 miles. Sometimes when I try to start the car and turn the key to on all my accessories turn on without issue and I get the Subaru chimes but when I turn the key to crank the engine I get absolutely no response. I usually cycle the key on and off and press and depress the clutch pedal multiple times until it actually responds and starts cranking. When it does crank, the engine starts without issue. This doesn’t happen every time I try to start it but it happens randomly. As I recall it’s happened from time to time ever since I’ve had it but it’s happening a little more frequently over the past few months. It’s happened through several tunes and even the stock calibration if I remember right. I’ve observed that this happens most frequently after leaving it in gear when I park and has never happened from a completely cold start. For example it’s most likely to occur if I park at a grocery store, run in to get something quickly, and come back to turn the car on. Has anyone else experienced this? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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12-24-2019, 04:26 PM	#2
Cougar4 Scooby Guru Member#: 53443 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Anchorage, AK Vehicle: 2001 LL Bean Outback Winestone	Power isn't getting to the ignition switch like it should, at least in the START position. Since some accessories are turned off in the START mode the trouble could also be just within the START circuit. First thing you should do is clean the battery connections. You may have to reset some memory things after you disconnect the battery and reconnect it. Checking for power to the dash fuses while in the START mode may help determining that the trouble is within the starter circuit though some fuse will not have power to them when in the START position. If the trouble is in the starter circuit then you will need to check for a problem with the safety switches used for the starter.

01-14-2020, 11:28 PM	#3
Cesar_h07 Scooby Newbie Member#: 491013 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Indiana Vehicle: 2018 WRX WRB	So it turns out it’s because I wasn’t pushing the clutch pedal ALL the way to the floor, like pushing until the floor stops you. It’s weird because it doesn’t always need to be all the way to the floor, just pushed in as far as my short legs allowed. It kinda makes sense that it happened more often when I left it in gear.

02-16-2020, 11:11 PM	#4
Zirkhan Scooby Newbie Member#: 452529 Join Date: Aug 2016 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Chesterfield MA Vehicle: 2018 Impreza Hatch Magnetite Gray Metallic	My 2018 Impreza is doing the same thing but it just randomly stopped starting and I can't get it to crank even with the clutch pressed all the way to the floor. It has a new battery and the battery is working. Only has 20k on it so I don't see how it could be the starter. I had my wife turn it over while I listened under the hood and the only noise I heard came from somewhere around the throttle body.

02-17-2020, 02:58 PM	#5
Mulder Trust no one Moderator Member#: 11170 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 02 RAV4 MT 15 WRX/05 GTO	Well it could be the starter, however unlikely on a 2018. But in order to narrow it down you need to do the proper troubleshooting before throwing parts at it. The clutch switch could be the problem, it can be tested with a meter to see if it's closing when the pedal is fully depressed. It can also be temporarily bypassed with a wire or cliplead across the terminals, if the car then starts you have a switch that is either bad or misadjusted. Make sure you are testing the right switch, there is more than one at the clutch. You can also connect a voltmeter or test light directly to the starter terminal and ground to see if power is getting to it when trying to crank. If you see full voltage there and have a no-crank condition then you may have a bad starter. In this case try giving it a tap with a small hammer or long bar before giving up on it, sometimes that does the trick.

02-18-2020, 09:48 PM	#6
Zirkhan Scooby Newbie Member#: 452529 Join Date: Aug 2016 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Chesterfield MA Vehicle: 2018 Impreza Hatch Magnetite Gray Metallic	I just ended up sending it to the dealer. It's still under warranty and I don't have time to investigate. I'll post their findings in case there's future issues and people check this thread.

02-21-2020, 06:41 PM	#7
Cougar4 Scooby Guru Member#: 53443 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Anchorage, AK Vehicle: 2001 LL Bean Outback Winestone	My guess is you have something going on with the safety switch.

Yesterday, 09:40 PM	#8
Zirkhan Scooby Newbie Member#: 452529 Join Date: Aug 2016 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Chesterfield MA Vehicle: 2018 Impreza Hatch Magnetite Gray Metallic	Fixed. All the guy at the dealer said was "it was a signal wire to the starter that was disconnected" I've never had anything loosen itself like that... nonsense lol