Subaru Outback won't start after engine is heated

Asked by Isaacjam Jan 25, 2017 at 11:28 AM about the 2002 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Edition Wagon

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

So I have been having this problem on and off for
the past few months. It seems that the car is having
a no start when the engine is heated only after
driving for about 30minutes or more. I'm able to get
it to start with a jump. The only other option is to
wait. If I wait it out the car will start up right away! I
have replaced the starter, battery, alternator, engine
coolant senor, cam shaft sensor, and replace to
battery post connection on the battery. I took it to
the mechanic and he thinks my alternator is faulty.
Although, this issue was happening before I
replaced that. I'm tired of replacing parts with no
resolve. Does anyone have any suggestions?

1 Answer

48,800

I would've guessed the alt too, as their internal voltage regulators can get intermittent (shut off) when heated, "forgetting" to charge the battery at lower rpm. Rebuilt alternators get new regulators, but the failure rate is still higher than average. Since they're cheap ($125-ish + 1/2 hr labor) I'd recheck this end of it. I trust by "no-start" you mean NO CRANK? If you mean that it cranks but won't start look again at the OTHER cam/crank sensor too.

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Mark Weiner
    Reputation
    33,550
  • #2
    TheSubaruGuruBoston
    Reputation
    28,720
  • #3
    Keith Cahalan
    Reputation
    3,390
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Subaru Forester
31 Great Deals out of 1,428 listings starting at $3,566
Used Toyota RAV4
93 Great Deals out of 2,649 listings starting at $2,500
Used Honda CR-V
88 Great Deals out of 4,174 listings starting at $1,695
Used Toyota 4Runner
19 Great Deals out of 289 listings starting at $9,888
Used Subaru Legacy
10 Great Deals out of 168 listings starting at $4,977
Used Toyota Tacoma
27 Great Deals out of 1,082 listings starting at $8,888
Used Subaru Impreza
21 Great Deals out of 481 listings starting at $3,444
Used Toyota Highlander
29 Great Deals out of 725 listings starting at $6,950
Used Ford F-150
333 Great Deals out of 12,300 listings starting at $1,712
Used Honda Pilot
36 Great Deals out of 1,273 listings starting at $2,995

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.