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Anonymous Posted on Mar 19, 2017

Where is starter relay located

Having intermittent issue with starting. When I cannot start the car it turns over like it is going to start but will not fire. Then if I leave the key in an on position so all power is engaged except starter, I hear a weird buzzing coming close to the top of the manifold where the air in take compartment is. When I leave like this eventually I will here about 4 to 5 quick loud clicks and then the engine will start. I have replaced the starter, because it was acting up already, I clean all connections to starter, battery, and the altenator. My thought is the starter relay which I am trying to figure out where that is located or the neutral security switch (not sure if that is what it is called but read a little bit about possibly causing same issue) Do you have any thoughts?

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Kevin Blair

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  • Posted on Mar 25, 2017
Kevin Blair
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This sounds like a bad ignition switch. proper testing will reveal the cause of the issue whether its the ignition switch or another fault in the security system etc

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  • Subaru Master 15,575 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 19, 2017
Jeff Armer
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If you had a starter relay or park neutral safety switch problem the engine would not spin . If when you turn the key to the start position an the engine spins but does not start an run , this is a cranks no start , but if you turn the key to the start position an the engine does not spin you have a no crank no start condition . All the parts you replaced an didn't fix the problem , you probably should take it to a qualified repair shop . It sounds like you know nothing of auto repair .

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5 Related Answers

subytech1

Brandon Johnson

  • 253 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 13, 2009

SOURCE: 97 Subaru Impreza Outback Wagon Occasionally Will Not Start

Hello, I was a Subaru tech for a few years and I agree w/ the other tech about the bad starter. Subaru starters are known for this exact kind of behavior when they are close to the end of their life. Forgive me, but I have to assume that everyone I help knows nothing about cars. You sound like the kind of person that is not convinced until you know exactly what is happening, So here's the breakdown. What happens, is when the starter engages the internal motor causing it to rotate. the positive and negative points (Brushes) make physical contact w/ a cylindrical shaft w/ separated plates providing power and ground to the copper wire windings surrounded by permanent magnets. Considering the enormous drag/load on this system from the engines resistance to rotate due to each compression stroke, a very high peak Amperage is channeled only through those two little brush contacts. They continuously spark inside of the starter, eating away at the brush contacts until they eventually wear away causing them to ground out. What's most likely happening w/ your starter is that whenever you start the vehicle, occasionally, by chance or (kind of like a roulette table) the brush contacts land on one or more of these grounded out spots. Even when you try to start the vehicle and nothing happens, the starter is still being influenced by amperage is trying to turn past this dead spot only very very very very slowly. This is why after you try to start it a few times it will eventually start, especially when you let it sit your actually letting the starter cool down. The more you try to start the vehicle the more the starter will become useless. The easiest test we techs have come up w/ when we get a no start concern, is to go out to the vehicle w/ a 3ft long bar, have someone sit in the vehicle and try starting it. If the starter brush contacts are stuck on a dead spot, we give the starter a good thud and if the starter starts working immediately we know it needs one. Some times it takes a few bonks to get it to work. If the starter is too far gone however, this test will not work and other procedures need to be performed in order to rule out all else as the cause for the concern. I hope this info helps...(subytech1)

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Anonymous

  • 78 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 31, 2008

SOURCE: 1995 subaru electrical problem

your alternator sounds like its gone. ask a battery shop to come and carbon pile load test the system. sorry to say but it sounds like alt is dead. cheap enough to fix though so all good.

Anonymous

  • 324 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 26, 2008

SOURCE: Hard to start warm engine

Sounds like you have a problem with your fuel injectors, either they are working to much or not enough once they get warm....

Take it to a shop ant tell them you want the injectors tested.

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Jan 29, 2009

SOURCE: 1995 Subaru Legacy LS starting problem

I agree. my '95 Legacy had the same problem. about a hundred buck bought me a new starter and the problem vanished.

ourhowse

Dar

  • 2007 Answers
  • Posted on Oct 27, 2009

SOURCE: Possible starter going out on 95 Legacy

providing your battery cable connections are clean and tight, it is probably the solenoid (starter) thet is worn out... but check all your connections first.

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The starter circuit control is achieved by the starter motor relay ! It is located in the under hood fuse/ relay box or as Chrysler calls it ,integrated power module ! If you pull out the relay an look on the bottom where the pins stick out you will see four sets of numbers .30,87 an 85,86 ! 30 is B+ voltage . 87 is to the starter solenoid . If you jumped those two spots where the relay plugs into the starter would crank the engine over . The last two 85 an 86 are the control side .If you checked with a volt meter where 86 plugged into ,with key on it would show B+ voltage . The last pin is from the PCM - engine computer . When turning the key to start a signal is sent to the PCM to let it know crank has been requested , in return the PCM supplies a ground to pin 85 energizing the starter motor relay sending B+ voltage to the starter motor cranking over the engine . Here is another video on test from the relay base (where relay plugs into ) This is for a horn circuit but same thing . VEHICLE RELAYS Testing from the relay base The relay could be going bad , you never know .Replacing the relay mite not be a bad idea . Good luck , hope this helps !

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Where is the neutral safety switch on a 2002 Pontiac Bonneville, located

Circuit Description
Moving the ignition switch to the START position sends a 12 V signal to the PCM Ignition Crank Sense. The PCM verifies that the transmission is in the PARK or NEUTRAL position. The PCM then grounds the control circuit of the START relay. When the START relay is energized it allows battery positive voltage to the starter solenoid S terminal.
Turn the ignition switch to the START position.
Does the engine crank?
Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems
Go to Step 3

3

Is the security indicator flashing?
Go to Diagnostic System Check - Theft Deterrent in Theft Deterrent
Go to Step 4

4

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. With a scan tool, observe the Starter Relay Command parameter in the PCM data list.
  4. Turn the ignition switch to the START position.
Does the scan tool display Yes

5

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Verify that the transmission is in Park or Neutral.
  3. With a scan tool, observe the IMS parameter in the Transmission data list.
Does the scan tool display Park or Neutral?
Go to Step 12
Go to Transmission Internal Mode Switch Logic in Automatic Transaxle - 4T65- E

6

Turn the ignition switch to the START position.
Do you hear the STARTER relay click?
Go to Step 9
Go to Step 7
Your best bet is to take your vehicle to a qualified repair shop. Before you replace a part an find out that's not what's wrong . If you new how to test the starter circuit , you would start at the starter relay .
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1997 chevy cavalier 2.2 engine, intermittent starting problem. Replaced plugs, wires, coil packs. Sometimes it will start and run like a champ. Other times you can't get ut to start at all. I've...

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