Subaru Outback Won’t Start (Troubleshooting Guide)

So your beloved Subaru Outback has decided it won’t start? This can be a heart-sinking and frustrating moment at the same time. And you’re probably looking for answers on why this is happening and how you can make your car start running again. Luckily, this guide will help you out.

Subaru Outback won’t start due to many different reasons, but the most common cause is a weak or dead battery. Other potential culprits include a bad alternator, faulty starter motor, failing ignition switch, bad ignition switch, malfunctioning security system, fuel delivery system issues, and faulty sensor.

Read the following article for more insights about your Subaru failing to start. You’ll discover all the potential reasons behind your car’s behavior and the practical solution to each of them.

Why your Subaru Outback won’t start (all potential causes):

Here’s a full list of all the potential reasons why your Subaru Outback won’t start:

A weak or dead battery

As we’ve just hinted above, the most common culprit behind your vehicle failing to start is a dead or weak battery. This can be caused by old age, issues with the charging system, or leaving your vehicle lights on.

When your battery is low on charge, it can’t produce the necessary power to run the engine, making it fail to start. If you turn on the key and hear a clicking sound or your dash lights turn dim, your battery is probably low on charge.

Solution: You should test your car battery to confirm if it’s indeed the culprit. For this test, you’ll need a multimeter. Set it to the voltage range of your battery and then connect it to the negative and positive poles.

If the battery is okay, the multimeter should display a voltage of around 12 to 13V. However, if it shows anything below 11.5V or above 14V, the battery may be unhealthy and may need a replacement.

If you find that the battery is dead, a temporary fix would be to jumpstart your vehicle with a healthy battery from another car.

Corroded battery terminals

If the terminals of your car battery are corroded, they could lead to loss of contact and the current flow to the starter motor will be affected. As a result, your engine will not be able to start properly.

Solution: Check whether your battery contacts are dirty or corroded. If you can see any white or silver-green deposits on the poles, that’s a sign of corrosion. In this case, you’ll just need to clean the terminals.

Bad alternator

Another common reason why your vehicle is having starting issues is due to a failing alternator. This component is responsible for charging your battery. Therefore, if it starts malfunctioning, you’ll get a drained battery which will cause your engine to fail to start.

Solution: If your alternator breaks down or starts malfunctioning, the best solution is to replace it with a new one.

Failing starter motor

A bad starter motor can also cause starting issues in your Subaru Outback. The work of this motor is to crank your engine and initiate the combustion process.

If it starts malfunctioning, you may only hear a clicking sound whenever you turn on the key but the engine will not come on.

Common issues with the starter motor include worn-out brushes, damaged armature, a faulty solenoid, etc.

Solution: If the starter motor starts failing, it will also require a new replacement. Keep in mind that this component has an excellent lifespan of 100,000 to 150,000 miles. However, its longevity can be cut short by starting your engine more frequently.

You may also try this temporary fix to start your car if the starter is the issue: Turn the key while you hit the starter motor with a metal tool or a hammer.

Bad ignition switch

The ignition switch sends power to components such as the starter motor and thus promotes starting of the engine whenever you turn on the key.

However, this switch may also become faulty or worn out. In this case, it won’t be able to provide the necessary power for starting the engine.

Some of the symptoms of a faulty ignition switch include getting intermittent starting issues or no response at all on turning the key.

Solution: Test the switch by turning it to the ON position but don’t crank the engine. If your dash lights stay stable, then the switch is good.

Otherwise, if the lights flicker or fail to illuminate, you may have a faulty ignition switch that needs replacement.

Ignition system malfunction

The ignition system is crucial for starting your vehicle engine. It’s comprised of many different components which can become faulty and cause starting issues.

Some of these components include spark plugs, ignition coils, ignition control module, etc. A failing ignition system may lead to a lack of stop or engine misfires when you try starting your car.

Solution: Inspect your ignition system. Start with spark plugs and inspect them for signs of wear or fouling. Replace them if damaged or worn out.

Inspect the ignition coils for signs of damage. If you can’t find issues with your ignition system, consult your mechanic for further diagnosis.

Fuel delivery problems

If your Outback has less fuel in the fuel tank or problems with its fuel delivery system, it may also experience starting problems.

Some of the common issues with the fuel delivery system include:

• Low fuel
• Clogged fuel filter
• Failing fuel pump
• Bad fuel injectors

These issues can cause the engine not to receive the right amount of fuel, with sufficient pressure, needed for a successful startup.

Some key symptoms tied to delivery system issues include sputtering noise or lack of response when you turn on the ignition key.

Solution: Check the fuel level and top it up if necessary. Turn on the key and listen for humming sounds (this indicates the fuel pump is functional).

Inspect the fuel filter and fuel lines for signs of clogging and leaking, and replace them if necessary.

Security system error

Does your Subaru Outback have an immobilizer or anti-theft security system? If yes, it could be malfunctioning and causing your vehicle starting issues.

The issue could result from a dead key fob, issues with the antitheft system, or a faulty immobilizer module. If the security feature is active, it will stop you from starting the car.

Solution: Check if your key fob is functioning correctly. Consult your owner’s manual for any troubleshooting steps for the security system. Alternatively, consult your Subaru dealership for further assistance.

Malfunctioning engine sensor

A failing crankshaft position sensor malfunction can also give you start problems. This sensor is responsible for providing crucial info to the engine control module about the crankshaft position and speed.

Solution: Locate the crankshaft position sensor (usually located near the crankshaft pulley) and test it for voltage output or resistance by using a multimeter. If the readings displayed are out of range, then you’ll need to replace the sensor.

Wiring problems

If you still haven’t found the culprit, you may also consider wiring or connection problems in your car as another potential culprit.

Any loose or faulty electrical connections, corroded terminals, damaged wiring, etc., can disrupt proper electrical flow.

And this can prevent power from reaching the ignition system starter motor, fuel delivery system, etc. This will contribute to your car failing to start.

Solution: Inspect all the wiring harnesses and connections in your car leading to the starting system. Look for damaged wires, corroded terminals, loose wires, disconnected plugs, etc., and fix them as necessary.

Blown fuse

In some rare cases, a bad fuse could also be the reason why your Outback won’t start. The fuses protect various circuits of your car from damage that may result from electrical overloads.

If they detect excessive current flow, they blow and thus disrupt the related circuit. If the blown fuse affects components or circuits connected to the starting system, it can make your car not start.

Solution: If you suspect a blown fuse could be the problem, you’ll need to access your fuse box and tests all the fuses inside.

Blown uses usually have the wire inside broken and may even feature a burnt appearance.

If you find any blown fuses, be sure to replace them with new ones with the same amperage ratings.

Engine failure

This is a rare culprit compared to the other issues on this list. An engine failure means nothing works on your car anymore. Engine damages are usually caused by your driving habits.

Some of the issues that may cause engine failure include a torn timing belt, incorrect fueling, low engine oil levels, engine overheating, and continuously driving your car at excessive speeds.

Solution: Get a reliable auto mechanic to diagnose your engine and rule out the possibility of it failing.

Why your Subaru Outback makes a clicking noise but won’t start

If your Subaru Outback makes clicking noises but won’t start, the likely causes include:

• Weak battery
• Bad battery connection (probably due to loose/broken wire or corroded terminals)
• Failing starter motor
• Bad ground connection
• Bad starter electric connection
• Engine failure

Why your Subaru Outback won’t start in cold?

During cold weather, your car battery is likely to drain faster or it may be unable to produce the same amount of power as when driving in normal weather. This can create starting issues.

Additionally, cold weather is likely to affect the fluids in your car. Extremely cold weather may cause fuel to freeze in the fuel lines and oil may not be able to flow properly through the engine, further leading to starting problems.

In this case, we advise you to try to reduce the amount of pressure on your car battery as much as possible. Turn off all the unnecessary electrical components in your car, e.g. radio. If this doesn’t work, then you might need to jumpstart your car.

Why your Subaru Outback won’t start in the park?

Some Subaru Outback owners also complain about their vehicles failing to start after parking.

This is likely due to an electrical system issue or a dead key fob battery. If your car has a security system, it may also prevent your car from starting in park.

The battery may also have been drained and thus unable to start the car.

Other likely culprits include wiring and connection problems, a defective ignition switch, or a bad starter motor.

While Subaru Outback drivers occasionally face ignition challenges, they’re not alone within the Subaru family. Owners of the Crosstrek, with its unique blend of performance and efficiency, might also stumble upon similar issues. For a closer look into this dilemma, our in-depth guide on why a Subaru Crosstrek won’t start sheds light on common culprits and remedies. On the larger end of the Subaru spectrum, the Ascent, known for its spaciousness and power, can occasionally leave drivers in a bind with starting problems. If this resonates, or you’re keen to preemptively understand such issues, don’t miss our article on the reasons a Subaru Ascent won’t start.

Conclusion

The most common culprits behind Subaru Outback starting problems include a dead battery, a failing alternator, or a bad starter motor. Other potential causes include a bad ignition switch, a failing ignition system, fuel system issues, or a malfunctioning engine sensor. A blown fuse or engine failure may also cause startup problems in your car.

Now that you have an idea of what could be making your vehicle not start, you should be able to troubleshoot your car for the exact underlying issue and resolve it. Remember, if you’re unable to diagnose your vehicle on your own, you can consult a qualified auto mechanic.