starting car

SUBARU
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NOT RETIRED YET
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I have a 1998 subaru legacy wagon with 100,300+ miles.
Sometimes when turning the key the car will start,
sometimes it won't & needs to be tried 2-4 times before
it starts. I replaced the battery, but the same problem
exists. How can I tell if it's the starter motor, or if it's
the alternator? I don't do the work myself, but want
an idea of what to expect. :(
Dec 6, 2006 at 11:46 AM
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BRENDONR
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This doesn't exactly sound like an alternator to me. Sometimes it starts and sometimes it doesn't? If it was the alternator, it would start once, but your would slowly lose power to your accessories/lights and eventually stall out. Then, without jumpercables, or a new battery, it won't start again.

Do you have power to your accessories/lights? If you do, then the alternator's working fine.

Could be plugs/wires not sparking properly all the time to turn the motor over - could be mis-firing cylinder - Could be a weak starter.

I'd take it to a couple shops to see if they agree on what it is before getting it worked on though.
Dec 6, 2006 at 11:57 AM
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PSYLOSYFER
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I had this happen and it turned out to be worn down copper connectors in the starter solenoid,
I built them back up with silver solder and it worked fine as long as I owned the car (several years).
Most people would probably replace instead of attempt to repair the solenoid (I was stuck in the middle of nowhere).
Mar 18, 2007 at 3:46 AM
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