96 WRX randomly won't start - fixed

[tmuff88]

So my car would randomly not start. Flick the ignition to ON position and can hear the fuel pump prime and all lights on the dashboard on. When I turn the key I can only hear a click noise and starter motor isn\'t turning over.

If I take the battery out and charge it to 100% (was sitting around 75% when taken out) and put back into car the car will start fine and 1-2 weeks later it wont start again.

I thought it was to do with the battery and took it back to Repco for a warranty claim and they tested it the voltage is fine and capacity it fine.

If the battery is fine then could it be something to do with the alarm.

I still think its something to do with the battery but how can I prove it and get a new one under warranty?

Really annoying cos its making the car unreliable...

Help please?

[Subirex Automotive]

did repco do a load test? these types of issues with batteries does happen, specially the one from repco. if load is low than it wont start the engine even if the tester shows 12v on the battery.

[tmuff88]

Thanks bro, I\'m def going back to repco again, still has 12 to go on the 36 mth warranty.

[ADIKT]

Try get a battery with a bigger CCA rating. Will help. Might pay to get your alternator checked also. Just for piece of mind

[tebbyj]

Could be a high resistance fault on the starter or earth line, spray your starter with CRC (a good dosage to allow it to soak in) check the clean the earth line from the battery to the chassis. If possible check the amperage draw to the starter with an amp clamp, if excessive current is drawn (more than 180A from memory but don\'t quote me on that) it could indicate a starter fault.

Another trick is hit the starter with a hammer gently and it should free it up if stuck.

[haymish13]

I had the same problem in my 96 wrx it all of a sudden would randomly not start, thought it mightve been the alarm but i jump started it and it would start straight away. i replaced my battery with a bigger 2nd hand battery i had and it has only done it 2 or 3 times in last 8 months. Not really sure what caused it though.. my volt meter reads around 11v before the car is started..

[boon]

If there\'s a click from the starter then it\'s gonna be one of three things, and you\'ve kinda eliminated the "your battery isn\'t very good" option.

Put a multimeter set to volts on your battery and get someone to try cranking it.

If the voltage drops HEAPS, like down into the low 11\'s, then you have a shorted winding in your starter

If the voltage doesn\'t drop much at all, the solenoid is sticking and not allowing the contacts to bridge.

There\'s a limited possibility that if your alarm has a cut on the starter (what\'s the point?) then the relay is dirty/failing and not allowing enough voltage to make the solenoid fire completely.

[slydog]

Contacts in the starter motor for sure

[tmuff88]

Took my car to subtech in penrose and they took the starter out and clean it. Apparently it was full of gunk. Now all sweet. Cost 140. At least this sorted it out. Thanks for all the inputs.