Subaru Forester Won’t Start (Causes And Solutions)
You turn on your Subaru Forester but it fails to start. If this is what just happened to you, you’re not alone. Many other Forester owners have encountered this issue at some point. So, why does this happen and how do you fix it?
Subaru Forester won’t start is mostly caused by a bad battery or a faulty alternator. However, there are other potential factors behind this issue such as a failing starter motor, failing ignition switch, bad fuel delivery system, bad ignition system, clogged fuel filter, or engine sensor problems.
This article will equip you with helpful insights about your Subaru Forester failing to start. We’ll explore all the potential causes behind this issue plus practical tips for resolving it.
Why Your Subaru Forester Won’t Start:
Below are the most common reasons behind your Subaru Forester failing to start:
Dead battery
The most common culprit behind your Subaru Forester failing to start is a weak or dead battery. This is because a dead battery lacks enough charge to start your vehicle motor.
Your battery can die if your car has an underlying issue that drains your battery when you turn off your car. If your battery is weak or old, it may also be unable to keep a charge.
Still at it, battery terminals that are corroded or loosely connected can also lead to starting issues.
Solution: Test your car battery to see if it’s responsible for the staring problem. The test involves using a multimeter to measure the battery voltage.
Set your multimeter to the battery voltage and then connect it to the battery +Ve and –Ve terminals.
If the voltage reads 12 to 13 volts, the battery is good. Otherwise, if it reads below 11.5V or above 14V, your battery may be defective and needs further assessment.
If the battery is okay, check if its terminals are corroded. If yes, clean them to promote better conductivity.
However, be sure to disconnect the terminals before the cleaning process. And start with the black (negative cable) followed by the red (positive cable).
Once the battery is off the circuit, you can safely clean its terminals. When done, reconnect the terminals and see if your car starts.
Alternator problem
A bad alternator can also make your engine not start. As you already know, the alternator plays a critical role in your car’s electrical system.
It helps generate electricity and recharge your car battery when the engine is running.
However, if this component goes bad, it’s unable to charge the battery. The battery charge then depletes over time, making it unable to start the engine.
A bad alternator will also affect the ignition and fuel systems. Lack of power to run these systems will contribute to the engine failing to start.
Solution: If you suspect your car could be having a faulty alternator, have it tested by a mechanic to confirm if it’s in bad shape and then do the necessary repairs or replacements.
Faulty starter motor
A bad starter motor can also make your Subaru engine fail to start. This component is tasked with initiating your engine combustion process.
If after turning the key you only hear clicking sounds or you are met with total silence, you may want to have your starter motor checked.
Solution: If your starter is bad, you’ll need to replace it with a new one. This will cost you around $100 to $200, depending on your car model year.
A temporary fix for this issue would be to turn on the key while you hit the motor with anything like a metal tool or stick. However, the ultimate fix is replacing the motor.
Failing ignition switch
If you have a bad ignition switch, it may also be stopping power from reaching the starter motor. This is another reason you could be experiencing starting problems. Key symptoms of a bad ignition switch include intermittent engine starts or no response at all whenever you turn the key.
Solution: The ignition switch may fail due to wear and other unexpected issues. Inspect it for signals of corrosion on the terminals, loose connections, physical damage, whether the key is turning smoothly, etc. If faulty, the switch should be replaced.
Clogged fuel filter
Yes, having a clogged fuel filter can also stop your engine from starting. Such a filter will restrict the fuel flow to the engine, making it fail to start.
Solution: If you haven’t replaced your fuel filter in a long time, you’d want to check it and have it cleaned or replaced as necessary.
Fuel delivery system failure
An insufficient supply of fuel due to an empty fuel tank or failing fuel pump may also prevent your Subaru engine from starting.
Solution: Start by checking if your fuel tank has adequate amount of fuel. Next, turn on your key and listen for a humming sound. If there’s no such sound, the fuel pump may be faulty and needs to be checked and replaced by your mechanic.
Malfunctioning ignition system
Your Subaru Forester ignition system may also lead to starting problems. The ignition system can go bad if it has faulty components such as bad spark plugs, ignition control module, and ignition coil—all these can slap you with a no-start situation.
Solution: The ignition system compromises many components that need to be inspected. Remove the spark plugs and inspect them for signs of damage, wear, or fouling.
Also, check the ignition control module and ignition coils for any visible problems. Replace any faulty spark plugs and other ignition components as necessary.
Active immobilize system
Some models of Subaru Forester come equipped with an immobilizer system. This advanced security feature keeps your engine from starting when it detects a faulty key or unauthorized access.
Solution: Check if your vehicle security light is flashing. If yes, you may want to consult your owner’s manual on how to reset this security system.
Engine sensor problems
Various sensors provide critical info for starting your car engine. Some of these sensors include the camshaft position sensor and crankshaft position sensor. If any of them becomes faulty, your engine may fail to start.
Solution: Have your vehicle scanned for trouble codes to help you easily identify which sensor is problematic. The faulty sensor should then be repaired/replaced to resolve the starting issue.
Note that you can diagnose most of these issues on your own to help you find out the exact issue causing your engine not to start.
We advise you to start with easy fixes such as battery-related issues, and then move on to more complex issues.
If you’re not confident diagnosing your car by yourself, you can get a qualified mechanic or your dealership to do it for you.
Why Your Subaru Forester Won’t Start But The Battery Is Fine
Your Forester may also fail to start but the battery is good. In this case, there are still other potential causes to consider. These include:
- A bad starter motor
- Ignition switch issues
- Faulty ignition system
- Fuel system issues
- Failing sensors
To find out the exact underlying issue behind your engine failing to start you’d want to have a qualified auto mechanic thoroughly diagnose your car.
These professionals have the diagnostic tools and expertise to easily find the culprit and resolve it for you.
Why Your Subaru Forester Makes A Clicking Noise But Won’t Start
If your Subaru Forester is making clicking noises and won’t start, the common causes behind this issue include:
- A weak or dead battery
- Corroded battery terminals
- Faulty starter motor
- Bad starter electrical connection
- Poor ground connection
- Engine failure
As you can see, there are many different reasons why your vehicle won’t start but you’ll hear a clicking noise.
We advise you to diagnose your car to find the exact issue causing this problem. Start with the easy ones to diagnose such as battery and poor electrical connection.
Why Does Your Subaru Forester Crank But Won’t Start?
Another common problem with the Subaru Forester is producing cranking noise but not starting. This can also be caused by a variety of issues as listed below:
- A weak or dead battery
- Failing starter motor
- Faulty spark plugs
- Your fuel tank could be empty
- Bad fuel pump preventing oil from reaching the engine
Diagnose your car while paying attention to the above areas to help you quickly fix the culprit and fix it.
This video offers you helpful insights about this Subaru problem:
Video:
Why Your Subaru Forester Won’t Start After Battery Replacement
If you find out that you have a bad battery and replaced it with a new one, you expect your vehicle to start smoothly when you try turning it on again.
However, sometimes the engine may still fail to start.
One reason why this happens is due to bad battery installation. You should double-check that your new battery is correctly installed and all its connections are tight and snug.
Also, ensure the positive and negative battery terminals are securely fastened and aligned correctly.
Another reason for this occurrence is that your vehicle computer takes time for a battery relearn process whenever you replace the battery. This simply involves the vehicle computer resetting to recognize the added battery.
You may want to consult your owner’s manual for more info about any relearning procedures needed for your Forester.
If you have checked the above issues but your car still won’t start, we recommend having your mechanic diagnose it for any other underlying issues.
While the Subaru Forester may occasionally face starting troubles, it’s not the only model in the Subaru lineup with such challenges. The Outback, another favorite among Subaru enthusiasts, has its share of starting hiccups. Dive deeper into the intricacies of why a Subaru Outback won’t start with our comprehensive guide. Similarly, the Crosstrek, Subaru’s versatile compact SUV, can sometimes leave drivers scratching their heads with ignition issues. If you’re curious about these specific challenges or have faced them yourself, our detailed exploration of reasons a Subaru Crosstrek won’t start can provide invaluable insights.FAQs:
If your Subaru Forester won’t start and the steering wheel is locked, the culprit could be a faulty ignition switch or issues with your steering wheel locking mechanism, e.g. a jammed power steering pump.
The most likely reason behind your Subaru Forester failing to start and the brake being locked is that the brake pedal was left engaged. As such, the brake pads are still pushing against the rotors, keeping them from spinning whenever you try starting your car.
Your Subaru Forester failing to start in cold weather could be caused by a drained car battery. The battery drains faster when the temperature drops. If your battery is already old or weak, it may be completely drained to the point that it can’t start your car.
Conclusion
If your Subaru Forester fails to start, there’s no need to panic. You should get down to finding the culprit behind this problem. The most common cause is a bad battery. Other potential causes include a bad alternator, faulty starter motor, failing ignition switch, bad ignition system, fuel delivery system issues, or faulty engine sensors.
We advise you to troubleshoot your vehicle for the exact issue behind the starting problems. If you’re unable to resolve the problem on your own, get a qualified auto mechanic to fix the issue and get your Subaru Forester back up and starting as before.
