Pavlos

I just bought a second hand '94 Impreza wrx sports wagon. About a week later the car would simply not start when still hot from a previous use. If I let it cool down for about 30-45mins, everything would get back to normal. Any ideas on what the problem might be??

steve McCulloch

This may be useless information, but I had exactly the same problem a few years ago on a Ford Escort RS Turbo.

It was very embarasing to go on a 30 minute drive, fill up with petrol and not be able to move you're car off the petrol forecourt for about 30 mins.

The reason was that the starter motor was knackered. the design of the engine was such that the starter motor ran just over the exhaust. When the exhaust got hot the starter motor did also and started playing up.

I tried a heat shield but that actually trapped more hot air.

You should therefore get you're starter motor checked out.
Incidentally the car could be jump started straight away, which I could never understand, but it saved me time on numerous occasions before I cahnged the starter motor

iaindean

I too had the problem and after much question asking was told it may be slight flooding of the engine!
The remedy: after your minute or two of letting the turbo cool down at the end of a journey, when turning the engine off, press the accelerator lightly so that it blips that little bit of fuel away.
It does work, I know that, but is it causing some other damage anywhere?

Considering this does work , I think it means the starter motor must be OK?

[This message has been edited by iaindean (edited 20-04-99).]

RobAnderson

I've experienced the same phenomenon with my 95MY and the possible cause that occurs to me is that of fuel evaporation during the time the car is stood before being started hot.
I had the same problem with Renault 5GT Turbo's a few years ago.They were notorious for it.

oscar

Pavlos
You did not say if the engine is cranking
or not ?

Pavlos

yes, engine is cranking...

Pavlos

Thanx iaindean, I'll give that a try...I have to tell you this is giving me an anxiety attack ,not knowing if its going to start or not...

Ronnie Gordon

I had a similar problem with non-starting on my MY96.For me the problem was very intermittent but always when hot and similarly leave it for a while & it would usually start.

My, not so local, but highly recommended dealer (Fraser Anderson) suggested that it could be the Crank Position Sensor as they have already replaced several under warranty with very similar symptoms.They had the engine fault analysing kit on site & suggested to me if I brought the car to them then they would connect the car up to the analyser free of charge and that the cars own memory should indicate to the analyser where the fault was.

I did not hesitate & took the car to them the same day and on connecting the car up to their analyser the message 'Crank Position Sensor' & a code '12' I think came on to the screen indicating the sensor had previously been creating problems.(They also reset the car's memory at the same time)

I bought the sensor, which is not cheap(£100), fitted it in about 10 mins and the car has been perfect ever since.

My car was out of warranty but the dealer said they they would forward a claim on my behalf as in their opinion these are 'prolem areas'.They phoned me back 2 days later to say that Subaru would pay 75% of the cost as a goodwill gesture.

As has been said so many times before good dealers make such a difference as the bad ones almost don't seem to know where to start (No pun intended) as I found out myself whilst living with this problem !

Good Luck with yours as an un-reliable car,even a' Great One', is a real pain!

Ronnie.


[This message has been edited by Ronnie Gordon (edited 20-04-99).]

Mike Tuckwood

It could be fuel evaporation as mentioned earlier, I have noticed that after running and getting warm, if I try to start the engine by putting in the key and rotating all the way to start, that the engine has trouble catching and will catch eventually but sounds like it is struggling.

I have discovered a method that works 100% of the time.

When going to re-start the engine, rotate the key until the ignition lights illuminate, then wait for 5-10 seconds, the engine fires up instantly with no throttle as per the FAQ as you turn the key to the start position.

Give it a try, it might work.


Mike.

jeff

I have to agree with ronnie. I think its probably a bad crank position sensor. If the sensor quits working when its resistance goes up(hot), it wont tell the ignition module to fire. Check and see if you have any spark during a crank over when it starts causing trouble..no spark..its likely the crank sensor.
good luck
jeff

Pavlos

Ronnie, Jeff...
I took my car to the subaru dealer, hooked it up to the analyzing kit...and presto...bad crank position sensor!!
Only problem is that they don't stock them so I'll have to wait about a week till the parts get here...

Ronnie Gordon

Pavlos,

I do not agree with your dealers comments on Parts delivery.Subaru operate a next day delivery service providing the order is phoned through by 4.00pm any working day.

I am pleased they have located your problem.

Cheers,

Ronnie.

Pavlos

*SIGH*
this is Cyprus Ronnie!!!!