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Intermittent start problems
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anson9
Novice
Jun 27, 2010, 5:38 PM
Post #1 of 10
(2963 views)
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Intermittent start problems
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Hi fellas.
My car:
04 subaru impreza wrx, 110k mileage
My issue:
Approx once per month my car will not start. My radio and lights will turn on, but nothing will happen with the engine. I do notice some white corrosion on the battery connection, I will generally clean that out with a brush and that *sometimes* will fix. I got a new battery and the problem persists. I have also replaced my spark plug about 15k miles ago.
Any advice is appreciated, thank you..
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jun 27, 2010, 5:58 PM
Post #2 of 10
(2957 views)
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Re: Intermittent start problems
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(oh man, I hate these type of diags) I didn't say that out loud did I??? ..............lol
When it doesn't start......does it crank & not start or does nothing at all......depending on what it's doing or not doing would determine what you start to check..........
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 27, 2010, 8:04 PM
Post #3 of 10
(2954 views)
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Re: Intermittent start problems
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Guess only:
Battery cable ends at battery showing the corrosion is a trouble note. The metal is cheap junk vs the old real lead ones. You may want to consider new cables or quality new ends at the battery and check the other ends as well. These need to be cleaned and greased up if giving you troubles like that and can feel tight but make a lousy connection,
T
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anson9
Novice
Jun 27, 2010, 8:26 PM
Post #4 of 10
(2951 views)
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Re: Intermittent start problems
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Sidom: no crank, just dome lights etc
Bringing to a shop tomorrow but I don't expect conclusive results since I can't recreate the problem.
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jun 27, 2010, 8:40 PM
Post #5 of 10
(2950 views)
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Re: Intermittent start problems
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I was just messing with you earlier but intermittents can definitely be tough
Intermittent no cranks are actually better (at least I think so) to trace down than intermittent cranks but no starts...
You mentioned a corrosion problem....That needs to be addressed. Start off with testing the battery and if it's good, have the connections cleaned real well with anti-corrosion washers installed.
What would help me, would be to know if there was any kind of pattern to this no start, hot, cold, dry, wet. What you had to do to start it, jiggle the cables, jump it, mess with the remote. This will help your tech know if he is looking for a connection problem, parasitic draw problem, or anti-theft issue...
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anson9
Novice
Jun 28, 2010, 4:49 AM
Post #6 of 10
(2943 views)
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Re: Intermittent start problems
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I haven't been able to correlate anything unfortunately. This happened in both summer and winter. It was hot and humid yesterday, not sure about other times. I'd say 2/5 times cleaning the corrosion resulted in the car starting. One time I just waiting a few hrs then it started fine, and 2 months ago it was a depleted battery.
For yesterday, cleaning out the corrosion was the first thing I tried, it did not work. I came back 5 hrs later, reseated the cables again, still didn't start. I called a tow, did absolutely nothing to the car, then 45 mins later (after the tow showed up of course) I tried again and it started like a champ.
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anson9
Novice
Jun 28, 2010, 5:11 AM
Post #7 of 10
(2939 views)
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Re: Intermittent start problems
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Tried again at the shop this morning, new problem: on position will still turn on dome lights, but when turning all the way instead of cranking, all power will just go out. Wait 10 seconds and dome lights will come back on. Will see what the shop says, thanks for you help so far...
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jun 30, 2010, 7:49 PM
Post #8 of 10
(2919 views)
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Re: Intermittent start problems
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Sounds like that battery needs to be checked and corrosion problem taken care of 1st.....
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anson9
Novice
Jul 1, 2010, 1:33 PM
Post #9 of 10
(2915 views)
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Re: Intermittent start problems
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Shop said it was just loose connections. This is possible since I didn't have a wrench handy when I was tightening the bolts. I researched online for diy remedy for the corrosion issue and smeared it with petroleum jelly. Has been fine so far. Thanks again.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 1, 2010, 2:48 PM
Post #10 of 10
(2909 views)
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Re: Intermittent start problems
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That is only something that is done AFTER everything is clean in order to prevent the air from getting in again. It will do no good at all if the corrosion is still there.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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