2010 - Intermittent Starting?

4934 Views 7 Replies 8 Participants Last post by 2.5x_sleeper, May 12, 2022

Natejames7

Discussion Starter · May 15, 2021

Hello,

I have a 2010 Subaru Forester and have been having intermittent starting issues for 2 months. The car turns, clicks, and makes all of the noises you would expect to start but it does not start.
To start off, this first occurred while on vacation. It would not start, the battery was tested and had power. It was taken to a mechanic who said it was throwing no codes but they couldn’t start it. After 8 hours of trying it randomly started for them so I drove it straight home with no diagnosis. I brought it to a dealership and they said the head gasket was blown and most likely coolant was causing it to not start. I had it double checked by another mechanic (who did the gasket replacement later) who confirmed the issue. Fast forward to when I get the car back and it still has intermittent starting issues. I’ll leave it for 10 minutes and it won’t start, then I sit for 5 minutes and it starts again. This can happen overnight, randomly, whenever. My mechanic and I have gone over everything we can think of. Crank sensor, anti theft system, throttle body, fuel pump, starter, battery connection, and so far everything is fine. We put a new crank sensor and new throttle body in (free of charge until the issue is resolved) still intermittent starting. Has anyone had this issue before? The biggest issue is that it isn’t happening when I give it to my mechanic, so they can’t see what is happening. Every time I call my mechanic after it occurs, 5 minutes later the car starts. This is so frusturating. Just to reiterate, the car turns, clicks, tries to turn on, but just doesn’t. My mechanic is honest and is being very fair about not charging me until we figure out the root of the problem. I’m not being charged for any replacements that aren’t the solution

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Dogs

· #2 · May 15, 2021

When you normally start the car, do you-
-put in the key, then turn key immediately to ‘start’;
-put the key in (without turning it), then do other stuff (e.g. seatbelt, radio, stow/store your stuff), before starting the car;
-put the key in, and switch to ‘Accessories’, or the ‘On’ position, then do other stuff, before starting the vehicle; and/or
-do you pause each time when you switch to either ‘accessories’, and/or ‘On’, prior to starting (if so, how long)?

Do you have any other car keys attached to the key (of the car with the problem)? Or do you regularly carry with you in the car, any other car keys?

Do you have many other keys, or ornaments attached to your car key?

When you turn the key to ‘On’ (without starting), do you always see all the dash lights turn on; and hear the fuel pump, and any servo motors actuating?

When the engine fails to start, does the starter motor turn over as per normal; or is it faster, slower, laboured, intermittent, jerky etc?

When the engine fails to start, does it fire on any of the cylinders occasionally, does it cough or splutter etc?

Do you ever smell any raw fuel, if you have been cranking the engine over, trying to get the car to start?

If the engine fails to start, do you:
-keep cranking the engine till it starts;
-let the key spring back to the ‘On’ position, then try again immediately;
-turn the car off, then try again immediately;
-turn the car off, take the key out, then try again;
-turn the car off, take the key out, and wait a while before trying again?

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JohnLedden

· #3 · May 15, 2021

Went round and round with a 2003 astro van, very similar sounding issues as you. One day turn the key and nothing, few days later as if noth6was going on. Replaced a number of things both me and the mechanic thought it "could be". In the end replaced the catalytic converter and haven't had any issues since.

The dead giveaway for me was after this occurred for almost 8 month, I was driving it and had to accelerate into traffic and the vehicle almost died on itself under heavy acceleration.

Have your mechanic evaluate the cat next time he has your vehicle. Hope it is figured out soon for you. I k ow how frustrating this is.

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DragonSubie7

· #4 · May 15, 2021

Natejames7 said:
I have a 2010 Subaru Forester and have been having intermittent starting issues for 2 months. The car turns, clicks, and makes all of the noises you would expect to start but it does not start.

I'm assuming that the issue is the car cranks normally, but the engine doesn't run, it just keeps turning over. It's not entirely clear from your description.
It would likely help if you answered @Dogs question above.

So, if you are cranking the car but it doesn't start, try this:
Turn the key off, pull out the key and wait at least 10 seconds.
Put in the key back in and turn on the ignition, but don't turn the key all the way to where it starts cranking.
Wait for 10 seconds.
Turn the key to engage the starter. It should start, as I'm thinking it is your engine immobilizer, as I had a Subie that acted the same way.
Good luck and report back.

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Alecbattistoni

· #5 · Mar 20, 2022

Hey guys - I have the exact same issue with my 2010 forester (intermittent starting) I’ve replaced battery, terminals, starter, and still the issue persists. I ran into a guy the other week who had the exact same vehicle (same year, even same color) and has the exact same problem. Still have found no solution but I’ll be taking it to a dealer shortly so maybe I’ll find something out for you guys.

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bman400

· #6 · Mar 20, 2022

@Alecbattistoni When you turn the key does it crank? Or do you just get click?

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jstrong68

· #7 · May 11, 2022

Natejames7 said:
Hello,

I have a 2010 Subaru Forester and have been having intermittent starting issues for 2 months. The car turns, clicks, and makes all of the noises you would expect to start but it does not start.
To start off, this first occurred while on vacation. It would not start, the battery was tested and had power. It was taken to a mechanic who said it was throwing no codes but they couldn’t start it. After 8 hours of trying it randomly started for them so I drove it straight home with no diagnosis. I brought it to a dealership and they said the head gasket was blown and most likely coolant was causing it to not start. I had it double checked by another mechanic (who did the gasket replacement later) who confirmed the issue. Fast forward to when I get the car back and it still has intermittent starting issues. I’ll leave it for 10 minutes and it won’t start, then I sit for 5 minutes and it starts again. This can happen overnight, randomly, whenever. My mechanic and I have gone over everything we can think of. Crank sensor, anti theft system, throttle body, fuel pump, starter, battery connection, and so far everything is fine. We put a new crank sensor and new throttle body in (free of charge until the issue is resolved) still intermittent starting. Has anyone had this issue before? The biggest issue is that it isn’t happening when I give it to my mechanic, so they can’t see what is happening. Every time I call my mechanic after it occurs, 5 minutes later the car starts. This is so frusturating. Just to reiterate, the car turns, clicks, tries to turn on, but just doesn’t. My mechanic is honest and is being very fair about not charging me until we figure out the root of the problem. I’m not being charged for any replacements that aren’t the solution

Did you ever figure out what was wrong? My daughter's 2010 Subaru Forester is doing the same thing. We replaced the starter, but it is still doing it. Every so often it will turn over, but not start. She'll keep trying and eventually it starts.

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2.5x_sleeper

· #8 · May 12, 2022

@jstrong68 note that @Natejames7 last signed onto the forum a year ago. You could send the member a PM - Private Message... now called a "conversation" on this new site. The member is optioned to receive an e-mail notification, so you could receive a reply to your question.

Bobby...

['07 FSXT Member Journal] ['03 X Member Journal]

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