Forester Erratic Starting.

ateday

ateday

Forum Member
Joined
May 2, 2014
Messages
982
Location
Happy Valley, not the loony bin, Adelaide.
Car Year
2002
Car Model
MY03 Forester
Transmission
5 sp manual, 1.59 LR
This is more a general information post rather than an emergency call for help.
Old faithful is exhibiting erratic starting problems. Usually starting is problem free and the starter will usually turn the motor over and the car starts easily. For the last few months every now and again, becoming more frequent, the starter drops out giving the impression the Bendix or solenoid, or whatever Subaru use on the SG, is perhaps worn out or fouled. Persistent trying results in the car starting after a few, up to about 10, repeated attempts.
Only once has the "Check Engine" light appeared. This came up as a Code PO340 so it looks like a trip to the auto sparky soonish.
Any one had a similar problem? I suspect whatever it is it is the result of old, Subaru, age at 373000kms.
 
As you say, probably just a "tired" starter.
 
Maybe dirt or rust on the Bendix. Pretty uncommon on modern cars, but very common on my pre-1980s Leyland / BMC cars.
 
Ratbag said:
Maybe dirt or rust on the Bendix. Pretty uncommon on modern cars, but very common on my pre-1980s Leyland / BMC cars.
Click to expand...
Yes I`ve had that before but whatever it turns out to be it hopefully won`t be major. Not emergency as am driving, in palace on wheels, over to WA in a day or three so problem can wait until my return.
With any luck problem will fix itself and never be seen again.............:lol1::lol1::lol1::lol1::lol1::lol1::lol1::lol1:
 
ateday said:
Yes I`ve had that before but whatever it turns out to be it hopefully won`t be major. Not emergency as am driving, in palace on wheels, over to WA in a day or three so problem can wait until my return.
With any luck problem will fix itself and never be seen again.............:lol1::lol1::lol1::lol1::lol1::lol1::lol1::lol1:
Click to expand...
If you ignore something long enough... it usually doesn't go away.
 
As forecast problem did not go away. In fact I suspect the starter motor is on way out and my service man reckons alternator bearing as well. So an expensive service in early January it seems.
Can`t really complain as still original parts with 370000 + kms on clock.
Safely returned from trip to WA. They are so laid back re covid over there. Nary a mask to be seen but I suspect that will change with the appearance of the dreaded chinese gift that keeps on giving. Covid QR check ins widely being (mostly) used and obeyed though.
The "Palace On Wheels" performed well covering about 6600 kms at better than 10l/100kms. Can`t fault the Fiat 2.3 turbo diesel pulling >3.6 tonnes although it ain`t speedy........I drive trying to balance the tacho at 2000-2200 rpm where max torque starts, about 85 to 95 kph, and the instant fuel consumption display. Seems to work well and is fast enough for me, even for 4 days straight although the occasional burst over 100 kph is exciting..........
 
@ateday
What's the sign and symptoms that lead your service man thinks your alternator bearing was on the way out? Did you end up replacing the bearing or the alternator?
 
G`Day PauSum,
Alternator indication was a slight, but consistent, whirring/singing whistle type noise from the general area of the alternator. Noise had been there for a few years. Plus I suppose general mechanical experience. No bearing grinding or such type noises though. Alternator replacement and noise gone. (magic obviously). It seems that bearing replacement is the "hard" option these days. It was original alternator with 374000 kms so probably complete replacement better than bearing replacement which I possibly would have attempted if I was much younger and fitter.
All good now though.
 
Thank you @ateday, totally understood "much younger and fitter...". I'm trying to feel "young at heart".
My forester had a very loud "grinding" noise last week when the temp suddenly dropped to roughly 10 C in the morning. The noise continue throughout the week but got less and less loud till totally stopped when the temp increased back to 20 C again. I was thinking was it alternator or something else. I'm treating it as steering wheel (pump/fluid) issue at the moment. Had topped up the fluid and will totally replace them once the connector arrived. Might replace both hoses too when I can find parts as they are as hard as bricks.
 
Some year or three ago one of the power steering hoses leaked at a junction accompanied by lotsa noise from the front under bonnet area. At the time I could not work out from where it came apart from a dropping level in the fluid reservoir which indicated the power steering system somewhere. It was only when I noticed a lot of foam around the area of the offending hose that I could actually work out what was happening. Check the hoses and clamps for tightness and splits. Hardened hoses are a bad sign too.
 
Yes, both the power steering hoses are as hard as brick as it has never been changed from new, and there is a little bit of dirt accumulated at the clamp to the power steering pump area. One of my friends said try turning the clamp hopefully can clamp up where the small leak is from. Unable to find the hoses everywhere though. Have asked for a quote from a dealer and see how much it will cost. The good thing is the power steering pump connector has just arrived (from eBay) and I can replace it when I have the chance. It's still not cold this coming week; hope it can wait.
 
That`s a lot! I can`t remember what mine cost but I don`t think that much. But my regular mechanic did the job and probably used the local guy down the road for the bits.
 
No choice for me, tried everywhere and couldn't find it. My mechanic will probably source it from Subaru too
 
partsouq.com is your friend (sometimes)
 
Unfortunately, shipping anything from the USA to Australia recently can be prohibitively expensive. USA federal government decree of some description.
 
Jackie at Annapolis Subaru used to be my best friend some 10 years ago when the OZ$$ was sky high versus the U$. Try her for excellent parts service.
 
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