Replaced radiator in 2000 Subaru Outback, now engine won't crank after starting and running once.

Asked by Erin Oct 19, 2015 at 02:13 AM about the 2000 Subaru Outback

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I replaced the radiator in my manual
transmission 2000 Subaru Outback
because it was spewing coolant due
to a huge gash in the top of the old
one.  It was running fine prior, other
than that.  When I got it all put back
together, I started it and ran it for 15-
20 minutes to make sure there were
no other leaks, and that it wasn't
overheating. All fine.  Left my hood
up, and the key in the ignition in my
driveway (I live in a safe, suburban
neighborhood). Ran inside to get
ready for work, gone maybe 20
minutes. Came back out, turned the
key:  nothing. Not even a click.  Keep
in mind the car started and ran just
fine 20 minutes prior.  

After a week or so, on my next day
off, I took the battery to get it tested.
Turns out the battery was beyond
dead, so I get a new battery, put it in,
go to start the car and it makes a
bizarre electrical popping noise and
loses all power.  It does this every
time I open and shut the door, and
take the key out and then put it back
in and turn the ignition to try to start
it. What the heck is going on?

5 Answers

223,905

Something electrical, hope you didn't cross the battery connections, must look for a short and check you main fuses.

530

I would check the ground make sure its giving good connection or loose ground to engine ....

Clean the battery terminals and like Rowe says I hope you did not reverse polarity!

48,700

I Hope FOR isn't correct, but I fear he is. Checkk battery polarity carefully, reinstall if necessary, then replace any blown fuses or the major one (120a?)

Your Answer:

Outback

Looking for a Used Outback in your area?

CarGurus has 871 nationwide Outback listings starting at $1,895.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Mark Weiner
    Reputation
    33,510
  • #2
    TheSubaruGuruBoston
    Reputation
    28,670
  • #3
    Keith Cahalan
    Reputation
    3,390
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Subaru Forester
22 Great Deals out of 1,056 listings starting at $2,695
Used Toyota RAV4
100 Great Deals out of 2,089 listings starting at $3,888
Used Honda CR-V
99 Great Deals out of 3,843 listings starting at $1,795
Used Toyota 4Runner
12 Great Deals out of 309 listings starting at $9,700
Used Subaru Legacy
6 Great Deals out of 172 listings starting at $4,977
Used Subaru Impreza
28 Great Deals out of 473 listings starting at $3,850
Used Toyota Highlander
32 Great Deals out of 737 listings starting at $2,495
Used Toyota Tacoma
57 Great Deals out of 1,080 listings starting at $8,708
Used Toyota Camry
48 Great Deals out of 979 listings starting at $2,212
Used Ford F-150
321 Great Deals out of 15,103 listings starting at $1,712

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.