Having difficulty to start my wrx engine
02-01-2005, 08:26 PM
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 14
Having difficulty to start my wrx engine
Hi Guys
I have a 2004 WRX Wagon. I'm having a problem to start my engine once in a while. The problem is the engine is not started, but I can hear the cracking sound from the starter. I need to depress the accelerator few times before the engine can be started. I did tell my dealership about this problem, since they can't reproduce it and claim that there is no problem. I had get into this problem more than 5 times during the last 3k miles driving. Currently, my car mileage is around 24k and this problem is observed even I have only few thousand miles. Your help is really appreicate.
Btw, did any one already post this question? I try to search it but I can't find it. If this is a duplicate thread, sorry for any inconvenience in advance :P
-wrx2004wagon
I have a 2004 WRX Wagon. I'm having a problem to start my engine once in a while. The problem is the engine is not started, but I can hear the cracking sound from the starter. I need to depress the accelerator few times before the engine can be started. I did tell my dealership about this problem, since they can't reproduce it and claim that there is no problem. I had get into this problem more than 5 times during the last 3k miles driving. Currently, my car mileage is around 24k and this problem is observed even I have only few thousand miles. Your help is really appreicate.
Btw, did any one already post this question? I try to search it but I can't find it. If this is a duplicate thread, sorry for any inconvenience in advance :P
-wrx2004wagon
02-03-2005, 11:20 AM
#4
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 870
I find that my car starts better if I turn the ignition to fully on, but wait a few seconds before cranking it. I assume it takes it a cople of seconds to pressurize the fuel system. If I don't do this, it starts, but it takes longer and sometimes cranks for 4-5 seconds before firing.
02-03-2005, 02:30 PM
#6
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It sounds like a problem in WRX. I'll bring in my car to the Stevens Creek Subaru on Friday. I hope that the service advisor can take a look the problem and don't just say that they can not reproduce the problem. My bumper-to-bumper warranty will be expired after another 10k :P
02-06-2005, 02:22 PM
#7
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Location: Calgary
Posts: 46
Car Info: 2002 Subaru WRX
Don't worry
I got an '02 WRX and it has the same problem. I tried to pressurize the fuel system by holding the key in the ignition mode for a few seconds before cranking it over, but the truth is it doesn't matter (at least not for my car). It still has the delayed starting problem occasionally. The dealer couldn't find the problem either. Its totally random and it can happen in both hot and cold conditions, so its very difficult to duplicate. I think its a pretty common issue with the WRX's and I think its just a Subaru quirk.
02-07-2005, 12:43 PM
#8
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Thx for your sharing. Just like what I expect after the last friday regular maintanence, the advisor told me that they can't find what's the problem. Since my warranty will be expired very soon (26k miles for less than 1 year :P ), I worry this problem may come up after the 36k warranty. He told me that it should be ok since they have all the log on the computer and subaru probably will honor it if something happen later.
Thx for your sharing I'll see whether it helps to stay the ignition key to the "on" position for few seceonds before I crank to start the engine. Btw, how you resolve your problem when you can't start your engine? Step on the gas padel to resolve the problem?
Thx for your sharing I'll see whether it helps to stay the ignition key to the "on" position for few seceonds before I crank to start the engine. Btw, how you resolve your problem when you can't start your engine? Step on the gas padel to resolve the problem?
02-07-2005, 05:35 PM
#9
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Its normal for Subaru's to take 3-5 cycles before the engine completely turns over. I have to ask does your car not turn over (just sits there and cranks) or does it just click when you cycle the key? Like was said before you can try and just turn the ignition to on for a few seconds then turn to start which is a good habit to get into. Also you do not need nor should you press on the accelerator pedal to start the car on a fuel injected vehicle, you can just aid to the hard start problem. By doing this you are actually flooding the engine.
02-08-2005, 05:27 PM
#10
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When I having this hard start engine problem, I can only hear the cranking sound and the engine is not turn over at all. So, I wait for few sec and try it again. It didn't help at all. So, I step on the gas padel while I start the engine to resolve the problem. Since stepping on the gas padel will flood the engine, do you have any other suggestion when I see the same problem again? Your suggestion is greatly appreciated 
Thx!
Thx!
02-08-2005, 11:17 PM
#11
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There could be a couple different things going on with your car. The battery could be bad, not supplying enough voltage to completely turn over the engine completely. When the vehicle is hard to turn over or does not start, does it get weaker and weaker as the engine turns over? If this is the case, I would have your battery tested and your starting/charging system tested. Or you could be having a spark or fuel related problem. These are all things that should be checked out by the dealer, however without actually being able to duplicate the problem it can be hard to pinpoint the cause of the problem. But, like the service advisor said your concerns are documented and it should still be covered. For the time being when your problem reoccurs, do not step on the gas to try to start the vehicle. Give it a minute and try starting it again. If it continues to have trouble starting or does not start at all, I recommend having it towed to the dealer in its state and have them check it out. If you can get it to them when it is having the problem it would be easier to diagnose. Just a couple ideas to think about.
02-09-2005, 03:23 AM
#12
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![alchemyst[wrx]'s Avatar](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 50 50'><circle class='avatar-circle-default' fill='%23a3754d' cx='25px' cy='25px' r='20px'></circle><text class='avatar-text-default' x='49%' y='53%' fill='white' text-anchor='middle' alignment-baseline='middle'>a</text></svg>)
Join Date: Jun 2004
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I am having a similar issue w/ my car. I was going to post a thread about it, but thank goodness for the "SEARCH". Anyway, my problem is slightly different than wrx2004wagon's issue. I am having a hard time starting my car AFTER I drove maybe at least about 30 minutes. I only have my car (PSM WRX) since Sept'03 w/ 9800 miles on it. The problem started to occur around Oct'04. Maybe about several times a month. I haven't done my 7500 miles tune-up (don't have the money right now). Any great infos are highly appreciated. Thanks
02-09-2005, 10:30 AM
#14
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alchemyst[wrx], how many miles do you have on your car? Like I posted to wrx2004wagon, due to the fact that your problems have been intermittent it is hard to pinpoint the problem. It could be different things causing it. The best advice I can give at this point is to have your car looked at when you are exhibiting the problem on a more reoccuring matter. Also, you can have your battery and starting/charging system tested which woulb be a good place to start. Just really need to pay attention to if your vehicle just takes a few seconds to turn over or if it just cranks and cranks, because subarus can take few seconds to turn over which is normal.
02-16-2005, 07:06 PM
#15
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Car Info: 05' WRX (Dirty Black)
have the same problem in my 05 wrx. about 11k on it and it has happened about 3-4 times. the first time was before i 1k breaking in period. since it is random i didn't even bother taking it in to the dealer and it will start up on the second or third try. (knocking on wood).