Kevin C, I presume?Hello,I have a 1999 Subaru Outback, not a 2000...I guess I goofed a bit last time I wrote, anyway I've a new problem.Yesterday I charged the A/C system (it works fine now) and then I used engine cleaner to clean up. Let it sit on a warm engine, then hosed it off with the engine running. I drove it for a few miles and then turned it off for the night.This morning I popped in, drove 25 min. (12 miles) to work and turned it off.This afternoon...it sounded and acted as if the battery was run down..."click, click..."I tried again after 10 min. and it 1/2 second starter engaged but then only clicking. With no jumper cables BUT a battery charger I charge it on 2 amps.30 min. only clicking.I volt checked and 12.36 at the battery and 12.35 at the alternator...engine off, of course.I removed battery cables and cleaned them, no need but I did it anyway, reinstalled with battery grease again and still no change. I tried to take the starter ignition at the starter to the + from the battery to start the car, only small sparks.Still "click, click". I was going to remove the starter and take it to be tested, having already tapping it with the 3/8's extension. "click, click".I decided to call AAA and have it towed home, put away the tools. Saw the hammer, and used it with the extension again. Put away the tools, told my friend to help me push it out for AAA, and with his back turned I turned the key.It started! Grin. I drove home the 12 miles, but at about 5 miles, up a hill the car hesitated for a split second, two yellow dash lights came on...can't remember what they said, but the car immediately kept running. Radio and all off for just that split second.It drove home fine. No "check engine" light or any other hesitancy.Got home, turned it off, got the Craftsman Scan Tool CanOBD2 out and checked it. Somewhere while checking the dash "check engine" light appeared...and after all the checking it is now off. I did not reset it.I started the car in the drive half a dozen times or so with no issues. What was the scanner's report, you ask? I set it to the Subaru setting and got P1100 Starter Switch Circuit Malfunction.Now what?
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Hello again, from what I read, you tried jumping the starter at the starter solenoid to the positive cable?
Good Morning, Kevin,Obviously I have been thinking about this a bit, "slept on it" too.With the iginition friend tried to "help" and several times took a screwdriver (from the top of the car) and arc-ed it. Bummer...took the positive to the block... I then took the screwdriver and pulled the small black ignition wire off and tried to connect that wire to the positive. It is cramped in there...visibility limited.I did manage to see small (low current type) sparks two times with no other response anywhere. We both concluded that the starter was bad. I gave up, as described earlier, put away the tools and a few minutes later it started. (also described earlier)Is that what is needed?John
John, first..the arcing is not a good thing, hopefully nothing was shorted from that.
As far as the starting issue, the best way to test the starter is when the problem occurs..the smaller connection on the starter is from the ignition and engages the starter solenoid. So , when the problem occurs you can have someone hold the key in the crank position and then probe that wire (disconnected from the starter) if you have at least 12.3 volts with the key in the crank position at that wire, it is in all probability the starter. Also, starter failures on the 1999 to 2002 Subbies are very common.
As far as the P1100 code, that is due to the car not cranking when the key is in the crank position, just clear the code when yo have corrected the problem.