I am merely looking for some help trying to figure out what could be wrong with my Subaru. It's a 95' and under 100k miles still, in very good condition. A few months ago it started having this "problem".

Problem is, it doesn't always start. First thing in the morning, it starts every single time. What I've noticed, is when I run the car, then turn it off after i've driven somewhere..and let it sit longer than 30 - 45 min it won't start again for a long while. Which leads me to believe that it has to do with the engine being hot. One time I hadn't run the car in 4 hours, but it was hot outside and it wouldn't start at all.

When I turn the key, it has power, doesn't "click" or anything.. it turns over just as if it would regularly, prior to starting.. but doesn't. Very often if I sit there for 10 - 15 minutes trying to start it a few times a minute.. eventually it will start.

I took it to a mechanic that works on imports and he says he didn't have a clue what was wrong with it, mainly because when he had it.. it didn't perform it's "I won't start for you" routine.

The only thing I can think of is some sort of fuel issue or temprature sensor?

Needless to say it is very frusterating, inconvenient, and when it is hot outside.. it sucks sitting there and trying to start it.

Please, if anyone has heard of or had experience with this problem, help! I would greatly appreciate it...

 

I'd be checking for a) a spark b) you're getting fuel to the engine. I recently had the problem where mine would turn over but not start. Getting a good spark. turned out there must have been a break in the wire to the fuel pump. Relay was working, pump worked and car would start with a direct 12v from the battery. Rewired it and is fine now...

I'd investigate along those lines first of all.

 

Faulty coolant temperature sensor more than likely.

 

take the crank sensor out, and swap for a new one, this will more than likely cure the problem, they start to play up and this means that when the car is hot it wont start, it happened on mine last year and it was a 5 minute job to fix, cost about 100 quid for the sensor, and you can swap it yourself. it;s situated just under the belts at the front of the engine as you look at it, right towards the front, undo electrical connector, undo bolt pull it out put new one in and put bolt and connector back on, job done

 

Just re read the post and realised it starts first thing in the morning. I thought I read it didnt start first thing in the morning.

This means that as wrxsti280 says, probably a faulty crank sensor. It could even be a faulty cam sensor.

 

Thank you for the suggestions, I will try that and see if I have some luck.

 

Do you get a check engine light?

If so, it's worth doing a check Frequently Asked Questions

I've had this problem before, and it was the crank sensor, but it could also be something else as the crank sensor usually lights the CEL

The crank sensor is for starting, the cam for when it is running.

Adam