94 Impreza won't start. I'm shocked, comma, shocked.

I have used the bang-the-starter many time with other vehicles and it can work. I however; would first check all the battery & ground connections by removing-cleaning and retightening.

With 240,000 miles on it...check in this order...... Since you say "No Noise whatsoever"....

ignition switch(check switch and mechanical linkage if used) neutral/clutch safety switch (try in Neutral NOT Park) Solenoid and contacts.(replace solenoid or starter) Throwout bearing inside starter (they freeze on the shaft,replace starter) Brushholder/brushes in starter (replace starter)

Thanks, Edward, I'll do those things. Failing there, would you happen to know where the starter is on this car and what it looks like? The one on my Saab was up by the right front passenger's wheel and, while I knew where to smack, I never really got a look at the thing.

Thanks again,

If, when turning the key you get a "click" from the starter (drivers side of the engine top) then the starter contacts are burned. Common on Subie starters and NOT a reason to buy a new starter. Remove starter (this can be a chore without a lift) remove the 3 bolts on the solenoid; remove plunger replace the two little copper "L" pieces that attach to the big lugs. (in stock at a subie dealer) Clean the contacts of the copper plunger, reassemble. I am assuming you have some mechanical knowledge and can take something apart and put it together in the correct order. ;)

SHUDDER!

some mechanical knowledge and can take something apart and put it together in the correct order. ;)

Regrettably, Stephen, I wouldn't know a solenoid if it bit me on my ass and I don't know what you mean by "lift." Given that I think I'm better off staying away from the starter. I did clean and tighten the batter terminals last night, however, to no avail. I detect no noise whatever from the engine. When I turn the key, with the clutch fully and completely depressed, I hear the workings of the switch itself and nothing more. Dash light come on, headlights work.

My mechanical abilities aside, thanks very much for your advice.

Michael

I wonder if the switch on your clutch pedal is fubar and it thinks you're trying to start it in gear. Do the headlights dim when you turn the key? That implies the starter motor is sucking back all the juice. No dimming = bad connection or something is preventing the starter from engaging like a clutch switch.

Ray

Hey, Ray. I'm pretty sure there's no dimming, but I'll give it a whirl when I get home tonight and report back. Much obliged.

Michael

CLICK!

Well, Ray, the headlights do, indeed, dim. Almost imperceptibly, yes, but dim they do. Does that mean that I have a Juice Sucking Starter Motor? Sounds like an insult, don't it?

Thanks in advance,

Have the battery tested or replaced first. Cheapest, easiest

Dude...... YOU are ASC Certified and you said that???? Re-read the symptoms again...... The fact you can't troubleshoot something as simple as this AND you currently work at a Subaru Dealship Says it all....(NOT good) Typical DEALER trouble-shooting..replace everything until it starts. You are NOT ASC certified..you are $$$ certified...

">> Have the battery tested or replaced first. Cheapest, easiest

With all due respect, I did mention TESTED/replaced. I would always test a battery before replacing it. We are ASSUMING that all of his terminals are clean and tight too. It is difficult to trouble shoot over the internet, but guaranteed I could have an answer in under 5 minutes in a shop. Granted I overlooked the "Almost imperceptibly, yes," statement and that does change the look of things. But this is a free forum and he is not paying for advise, we are all just trying to help.

Exactly. Not being able to touch, drive or listen to a vehicle means no reasonable diagnosis - just possibilities.

Carl

Why do pe "Regrettably, Stephen, I wouldn't know a solenoid if it bit me on my ass and I don't know what you mean by "lift." Given that I think I'm better off staying away from the starter."

At this point if we can't direct him to check voltage on a solenoid, what good is it to press on with advanced diagnostics. I admire the OP for admitting we have entered a unknown area, I can type for hours on a subject but not knowing the OP skills....

Sometimes I wonder why I give up the time.

Take care

Steve

SPUTTER!

I appreciate everyone's time, and I do understand that a) diagnosing from afar is very much a crapshoot and b) doing so for a person with my limited mechanical ability is well nigh impossible (this past summer, some long suffering folks from a Saab newsgroup talked me through changing my own sparkplugs, which involved removing four screws and lifing the direct ignition module straight up to access the plugs... you would have thought I was attempting to separate conjoined twins).

Again, I most certainly appreciate any and all efforts expended on my behalf!

Thanks,

">

You own a Saab? I'm Sorry.... ;)

Steve

Yeah, an '02 9.5. And you know what else? I'm buying another Saab for my son - that'll be my sixth Saab - so he won't have to drive that POS death trap of a Subaru he's been tooling around in. Well, tooling around in prior to the latest spell it took, I mean. I like Saabs. I just can't help myself.

Shiny side up,

">> >

My theory has been :People who design aircraft shouldn't design cars. This is from someone who worked on aircraft too! Every time I work on a Saab I cry (followed by bmw and vw and Audi Volvo's)

Steve

OK, Get him the Saab 9.2 or as we at the shop call it "The Saabbaru" I'll buy off on it! ;)