ctrep3

Not being the mechanical type I probably wont explain myself very clearly ,sorry,but here goes.
from time to time have had issues with starting but normaly i just try to start the car and if it won't the first time go away for 5min go back and it starts first time,however,Christmas day I didn't use it ,went to start it Boxing day after heavy frost ,turned over but did not 'catch',left it went back after normal time the same again,it turns over and sounds as if it is going to fire but no.
Tried to charge battery but there was no need then got help to try jump starting it ,nothing.Left it then p'd off but went back later again it sounded as if it was going to start then it went clonk and only the sound of the key turning .

It's an Empreza WRX STI V7 JDM
Can anyone please help.?Don't like going to a garage unprepared!!

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

Could be the starter on it's way out, or the battery has dropped a cell.

A decent car electrical place will be able to test both.

arumdevil

are you SURE the battery is fully charged? this cold weather can kill of a less than good battery and they are very sensitive to voltage so a slight drop could cause this.

360ste

iTrader: (1)

Could be the starter has jammed, place car in gear and take off handbrake. Then rock the car back and for don't try to hard as you only want to move the engine slightly back and forth. This should un-jam the starter.

ctrep3

I checked the battery it shows 12v???is this enough?

arumdevil

I'm not sure the exact amount needed, just try charging it for a couple of hours and see if that helps.

ctrep3

Thank you will try to charge it again ,perhaps i didn't leave it long enough last time.

arumdevil

had a little search, it seems 12.0v or less could be too little, in my experience subaru's tent to be pretty fussy so a good charge should hopefully do the trick.

360ste

iTrader: (1)

Once you have charged it, if it still gives issues one way of testing the battery is with the help of someone else. With voltmeter connected to battery try to start the car, and see what the voltage is anything below 9.5 volts indicates a low charged battery. If the voltage tails off steadily this points to a knackered cell in the battery. Hope this helps Steve.

ctrep3

Just got my son to help,it reads 9.7 ???

bugeyejohn

iTrader: (11)

sometimes if theres too much of a voltage drop when cranking the engine theres not enough left to power the ecu ,i would have thought 9.7 is right on the limit i would charge or change the battery and see how that goes

ctrep3

ok ,thank you very much all.

arumdevil

mine was refusing to start on more than that. Dash lights etc would come on but it wouldn't even turn the starter.

ctrep3

yes that is the funny thing everyhing works, bar the starting,Just got back from work and have put it on charge so will see what happens in a few hours time.Nothing worse than cars that won't work!