Intermittent not starting?

Tiny
LOUBEC
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 SUBARU OUTBACK
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 118,000 MILES
The first sign of trouble was mid-April, car not starting. Replaced battery as it was 5 years old. Then 3 weeks later, not starting. Towed to auto electrician they had for 3 weeks, started every time except for once. They thought it was an immobilization fault, they thought the keys were maybe the problem. He said he was not sure, maybe 90% key was the issue. I saw the reading, code 12 - starter signal and code 53 Antenna. I didn't think it was the keys, so we drove it again for another few weeks, then it happened again. Towed to a Subaru specialist, where they tested it for 8 weeks, only faulting once, and they said not long enough to get a reading of fault codes. I took it there, as it needed the timing belt done. (I took the risk of getting this costly work done, hoping they could find the fault of the intermittent not starting). I really want this car to keep going for a few more years, as it is so costly to replace cars in Australia, new or used at the moment. I know it is 23 years old, but it only has 190K km. I'm the only owner, for the last 4 years, my 25 year old daughter has been the driver of the car.

Subaru outback Ltd Australia.
Thursday, July 27th, 2023 AT 4:21 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,279 POSTS
Hi,

I'm not sure if it is different because of location, but the two codes you provided are for the restraint system according to my manual. See pics below.

When the vehicle doesn't start, does the starter engage and turn the engine but the engine doesn't start, or does the starter refuse to engage?

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.
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Thursday, July 27th, 2023 AT 10:22 PM
Tiny
LOUBEC
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hi Joe,

Thanks so much for your response. Yes, the starter motor engages, the engine cranks over, but it does not fire. When road service came, he used an areo start into the airbox, and the engine started. That was after many other things he attempted to get it started.
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Friday, July 28th, 2023 AT 2:36 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,279 POSTS
By aero, do you mean he used starting fluid to get it to start? If that is the case, then there is a fuel-related issue. The fuel pump may be failing.

You may want to consider checking fuel pressure to see if it is weak.

Here is a link that explains how it's done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

If you look below, I attached the manufacturer's fuel pressure specifications for your vehicle.

Let me know your thoughts and if that is what he used.

Take care,

Joe
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Friday, July 28th, 2023 AT 7:03 PM

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