Car won't start every once and awhile...?

[jjs316]

Every one in 100 or so starts, my car won't start. When I turn the key, I get one click and that is it. Odd thing is though, if I come back in about 10 minutes, it will start right up. I don't do anything to the car within those 10 minutes. The battery seems fine (no dim lights or anything of that nature and all my power equipment works just fine).

I replaced the switch on the clutch pedal thinking that might it, but it happened again after that. I checked the wires to the starter and they look fine and not corroded.

Any ideas? Possibly the starter slowing dying?

[Huffer]

Could be the connecting between your ignition switch and the main harness...

[anothernord]

Try tapping the starter with something. That always works for me.

[jjs316]

Could be the connecting between your ignition switch and the main harness...

Anyway to check something like this..?

[anothernord]

There's 2 connections to the starter: The spade connector for the solenoid, and the big power wire that goes to the battery. Unplug that spade connector and use a multimeter to see if it goes hot when the key is turned all the way. If it does that consistently, and the starter is getting 12v from the batter at the big terminal, then it's the starter itself.

[ouch1011]

My bet is the contacts in the starter solenoid are hammered. They are easy to replace.

[jjs316]

My bet is the contacts in the starter solenoid are hammered. They are easy to replace.

Is that something I can get easily get and possibly at a local parts store? I check on subarugenuineparts.com and don't see anything except the whole solenoid.

I have a new starter I bought from Advance Auto Parts but it's probably not the highest quality (Supposed to be Remy but apparently they were bought out from Tough1ne or something of that nature). I would prefer not to install it if I didn't have to...

[tjdzor]

My moms outback did that, my leg hasn't yet but mine has 70k fewer miles on it hah! I ordered contacts off ebay, easy fix, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 2776wt_906 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&vxp=mtr&item=221205364836#ht_2776wt_906) is what i used, cleaned up the plunger with some emery cloth, swapped the contacts and it's been good ever since.

[Grimmrican]

Could also be it battery. Make sure it's not corroded as well seeing that the positive wire also connects to the starter. Also make sure all loads are off prior to turning on it car. If ur headlights are on and radio and fan ur most likely pulling too much of a load off the battery to crank the car over. Also meaning ur battery is slooowly on its way out. This happened to me a few times with my bk. new battery cleaned terminals and connectors and never had another problem.