starting trouble

[mrpyb]

So my legacy is having trouble starting. When she's cold and I turn the key I hear a faint click and nothing happens. lights don't dim or anything. I'll try the key 4-5 times and then it will start strong. Battery is good and the car turns over great when it feels like it. My key is fairly worn (I can pull it out while driving) and I have a spare that is less worn and it has the same starting problem, it just takes less turns to get the car to finally turn over.
This came on gradually and it is taking longer for the starter to engage. Could this be in the ignition or is it a starter problem? All the wires to the starter look good and the battery terminals are not corroded. Any suggestions welcome! Thanks guys.

[chuckthefuk]

So this is 5-speed and has no CEL codes?

[02_Legacy]

This faint click... Is it coming from the starter, such as the solenoid engaging, or more like a relay contact closing? If the click is in fact the starter solenoid, then you probably need a new starter assembly. It would indicate the the low current side of the circuit is working fine, its just the high current side that is not causing the starter to spin.

Edit: also notice the word probably, there are still other things that it could be. I just don't want you to go out an buy a starter and then blame me if it doesn't fix your problem lol.

[mrpyb]

So this is 5-speed and has no CEL codes?
correct.


This faint click... Is it coming from the starter, such as the solenoid engaging, or more like a relay contact closing? If the click is in fact the starter solenoid, then you probably need a new starter assembly. It would indicate the the low current side of the circuit is working fine, its just the high current side that is not causing the starter to spin.

Edit: also notice the word probably, there are still other things that it could be. I just don't want you to go out an buy a starter and then blame me if it doesn't fix your problem lol.

It sounds more like a relay but I'll try again later tonight with someone listening by the starter to see if it is the solenoid.

[chuckthefuk]

So to clarify.

When you turn the key in the ignition cylinder from off/acc/on/start does acc/on work? Do you have radio and power windows?

Or does it take you several cycles to get power?

When you try to start the car. do you only get 1 faint click or are there multiples?

-Chuck

[mrpyb]

So to clarify.

When you turn the key in the ignition cylinder from off/acc/on/start does acc/on work? Do you have radio and power windows?

Or does it take you several cycles to get power?

When you try to start the car. do you only get 1 faint click or are there multiples?

-Chuck
acc/on works just fine. I can run lights/radio/windows without trouble.
I tried this morning and I get a single faint click when I turn the key to the start position. I tried holding it there and it only clicked once, not at all like the sound when you have a dead battery. It took three tries from on to start this morning, same click on the first two, and it started strong on the third turn.

[chuckthefuk]

download a copy of the factory service manual from my signature / literature & manual section. find the year of your vehicle and then browse the PDF's for the iginition wiring diagram/schematic

you should be able to track down and test/replace the ignition relay.

I am at work so I don't have the time to sift through the pdf's. At least we can rull out the ignition cylinder is failing.

[mrpyb]

thanks chuck. downloading it now and I'll try to track it down!

[mrpyb]

No info on the starter relay yet. Ignition ohm checks okay. I stopped at o'rielly and they checked the starter, it showed 8.4 volts starting power. My manual says that anything under 9 volts could be weak solenoids. Took the starter off and taking it in to have it bench tested, we'll see if that yields any new results.

I'm also fairly sure I pinpointed the clicking noise to my keyless entry control box, which has been acting up lately.

[mrpyb]

alright bench test on the starter shows it passes. on the bench it turned 13.5 volts vs 8.4 (failing) when tested on the car. I located the starter interlock relay. No time to pull it tonight, any suggestions on the best way to test it? I've got a basic electrical understanding but it's definitely not my thing. I've never tested a relay before.
Thanks in advance!

[mrpyb]

when I reinstalled the started after having it off for testing I haven't had the problem at all! possibly some corrosion I missed initially.