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Old 12-05-2018, 06:00 AM   #1
haggerty.jp
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Default 2002 WRX won't start

Car info: automatic, ~150k miles, no mods

I walked out to my WRX last Friday to go to work and after hearing a very strange noise on crank, I stopped. It sounded like the car sort of turned over and then couldn't actually keep going. I also heard it grind a little bit which was scary. The car had been hesitating at idle for a few days and I had thought it was the iacv gasket.

I started by replacing the starter, which took away the weird noise, but the car wouldn't start. I just replaced the fuel pump since I had read that could be the issue. Did not resolve my issue.

I am going to replace the fuel filter today. My next steps were either going to be spark plugs or injectors. I put new plugs in at around 110k miles, so I'm not sure it's them.

If anybody can help direct me that would be awesome, since I feel like I might be too focused on fuel delivery.
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Old 12-06-2018, 02:23 PM   #2
Hkdboarder42
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There's three key parts to a car starting, air, fuel in spark. If the car is consistently cranking, it is going to be one of these three systems. If it isn't cranking, it's a starter loop issue (includes starter, starter relay, ignition switch, etc), or possibly a cam/crank sensor. There could be more, as my knowledge only goes that far in terms of a car failing to start. Can you give us a little bit more detail on exactly what happens when you try to start it currently? Do you hear your fuel pump prime when you turn on your battery? Does it consistently crank?
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Old 12-06-2018, 04:52 PM   #3
wtdash
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Auto could be cracked Flex Plate, too.

Please check for codes b4 throwing any more $$. Even if you 'think' you know why the CEL was on, there may be new codes stored.
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Old 12-07-2018, 07:16 AM   #4
haggerty.jp
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Ok I ran an OBDII scanner and found that I do have spark, but I am not throwing any fault codes right now, which I don't understand.

Another thing I noticed is that the car does not crank as fast as it did before. It's a pretty slow rhythm. I'm getting close to having it towed to a shop because I'm at a loss. I'll see if I can get it to generate some fault codes but right now I'm pretty much out of solid leads to follow.

EDIT: The battery is less than 1 year old, and it tested 'GOOD' at Advance, so I'm ruling that out. Also, the slow crank issue may not be that strange, and I may not be letting the car crank long enough. More testing and I will update.

Last edited by haggerty.jp; 12-07-2018 at 07:36 AM.
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Old 12-07-2018, 07:58 AM   #5
Charlie-III
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Check for pending codes, it may have seen something but not tripped a CEL yet.

If a sensor just failed or a wiring issue, the engine didn't run long enough to trip a code.

I would put a charger on the battery to keep the volts up.

How does a scanner show you have spark?
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Old 12-07-2018, 09:53 AM   #6
haggerty.jp
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UPDATE: Ok, so I cranked it for a few extra seconds and it generated a P0340 code - Cam Position Sensor.

I assume the first step is replacing the sensor, but what other issues could be related to this code?

The scanner has a field on it during the scan that says "spark"
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Old 12-07-2018, 11:22 AM   #7
Hkdboarder42
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Had a feeling, before replacing it try pulling the sensor out and cleaning it off. They build up carbon over time and sometimes the buildup blocks the sensor from correctly reading the cam position. If that doesn't work and you have a friend with a bugeye (or other GD series, I'm unsure if the sensor is the same across all model years), try swapping their sensor in to see if it makes a difference. If it does or if you don't have a friend with a bugeye (or other GD series), then replace. Good luck!
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Old 12-07-2018, 06:41 PM   #8
CarmelValleyWRX
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check the connector for the crank sensor and make sure its clean and tight. look at the wiring to see if there is abrasion or rodent chewing. you also might want to hook up a jump start or battery tender if its cranking slowly.
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Old 12-07-2018, 08:31 PM   #9
Charlie-III
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Quote:
Originally Posted by haggerty.jp View Post
UPDATE: Ok, so I cranked it for a few extra seconds and it generated a P0340 code - Cam Position Sensor.

I assume the first step is replacing the sensor, but what other issues could be related to this code?

The scanner has a field on it during the scan that says "spark"
The ECU sending a spark signal is a "wee bit different" than actually getting a spark.
I am not aware of any plugin scanner that can actually show if you have a spark, only a spark signal to the coil/coils.
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Old 12-08-2018, 03:16 PM   #10
haggerty.jp
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UPDATE: I ended up replacing the camshaft position, but the slow cranking is still happening. I hooked up jumper cables and it sounded happier, and started making a coughing noise every engine cycle during crank. Any ideas?

EDIT: I am also still pulling the P0340 code. I am going to see if this is a battery/electrical issue before I move to the next big culprit: timing belt

Last edited by haggerty.jp; 12-09-2018 at 08:42 AM.
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Old 12-10-2018, 02:19 PM   #11
That_Silver_Wrex
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my 2005 wrx wouldn't start about 6 months ago. It ended up being a completely clogged fuel filter. People always forget to change them, along with me.
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Old 12-10-2018, 02:26 PM   #12
CarmelValleyWRX
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why the timing belt? p0340 has to do with the sensor circuit, not timing (i dont think...). check your wiring. you can take the ecu out of the passenger foot well and use a multimeter to trace the circuit and find where its broken. or start at the sensor and work back to the ecu if needed. are you sure you reinstalled any grounds when doing the starter? i had forgotten to tighten a ground on my manifold and my engine would only run on one cylinder as the engine rocked and made contact with the ground are you sure thats the only DTC?

Last edited by CarmelValleyWRX; 12-10-2018 at 02:32 PM.
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Old 12-10-2018, 02:36 PM   #13
CarmelValleyWRX
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just read a bit and it does seem it can throw the p0340 if the timing is a bit off for example hitting the rev limit or accelerating hard enough to stress the belt and make the cam signal slightly off of the crank signal. might be worth it to just pull the two side covers and crank pulley off and do a visual on the timing belt.
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Old 12-11-2018, 04:07 PM   #14
haggerty.jp
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FINAL UPDATE:

So I broke down and took it to a Subaru dealership yesterday, and today they let me know the issue: When I started it up, the timing belt slipped. Apparently the engine is out of timing at this point and possibly totally borked with bent valves. They offered me a small trade value and at this point I will not be trading it in. If the engine is borked, I am going to rebuild it. If it is not, then I will fix what needs to be done and keep my car as a project. It has been my daily driver for a long time, and now that it is not, I will be spending time making her like new again.

I appreciate all the help you have provided. I will definitely be returning to the forum for advice on tear down and rebuild.
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Old 12-11-2018, 06:48 PM   #15
CarmelValleyWRX
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i would re-set the timing and see if she starts before getting too serious about new engine/heads. if it only skipped a few teeth its very possible its ok.
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Old 12-11-2018, 07:11 PM   #16
cdska
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You'd be surprised with what you can get away with. Tear down to the belt and see if it's really skipped at all, and if so, put it back properly and install and see.
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Old 12-12-2018, 12:48 AM   #17
bugeyyyeeeeeeeeee
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Didn’t see update good luck bud
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Old 12-13-2018, 10:57 PM   #18
liahbriz
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If repairing cost isn't high then why you need to rebuild it? You have taken right decision. An OBDII scanner could help a lot to find car problem. First, You need to diagnosis with a scan tool. Then, try to solve all those problems. If still face problem then you car rebuild it.

Last edited by liahbriz; 12-20-2018 at 04:38 AM.
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