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

223,755

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!

48,660

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?)

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