EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Heads, valves, pistons, rods, crankshaft, etc...

Moderators: Helpinators, Moderators

xise
Third Gear
Posts: 576
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:17 pm
Location: Rhode Island

EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by xise »

Ok so I just bought a few parts to get this car back on the road, I just got it back from a transmission shop after having a trans pump replaced and drove it home, only minor issues but it made it home fine. It sat for a bit as I had to save $$ to get necessary parts, after installing a radiator, I filled the reservoir with coolant and tried to start it and nothing...the "door ajar" indicator went out as I turned the key but nothing else.

So I searched around and all I found was a broken ground from the firewall to the pitch mount on the transmission, so I made a new wire and but it back, NOW I have a light for the gear selector showing it is in park. Also when I push the button on the auto gear shift knob I can hear a click coming from the ignition area, but that is all, it won't even crank. I also notice there is no interior fuse box and no relay under the hood is labelled for the starter.

I have looked around and my starting issue seems unique compared to others, is there anything that might cause the car to not send power to the starter or cut off ignition for some reason?

1993 Legacy Sport Sedan Automatic
2004 Impreza 2.5RS Fränkenpreza Daily Driver
1993 Legacy Sport: Sedan Sex Panther-R.I.P. @ the boneyard
1991 Legacy L Wagon: Sex Panther II
2005 Outback XT Turbo grocery-getter Wife's Daily Driver
91Beater
First Gear
Posts: 219
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2012 12:37 pm
Location: pdx

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by 91Beater »

I think you have a malfunctioning interlock somewhere preventing the activation of starter. Does it crank in neutral?
BoostedSubie
Second Gear
Posts: 419
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2010 7:47 am
Location: Spokane, WA

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by BoostedSubie »

Check the Neutral Safety Switch
93 Black Legacy SS
93 Legacy
97 Outback- EJ25D/22e frankenmotor
97 Green Outback
97 Red Legacy GT
98 Silver Legacy GT- Pikes Peak build, built EJ22t/205, GT3076r
99 Black Legacy GT wagon
Subiman91ss
First Gear
Posts: 78
Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2012 10:23 pm
Location: tigard OR

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by Subiman91ss »

I would start with the neutral switch.. It sounds like the computer thinks its in gear..... the trans shop may not have tightened the shift sensor(electronic thing on the side of the trans that tells the computer what gear your in) enough.. if it moved when you drove then you may need to loosen it up and adjust it slightly...

I have had that happen to me after replacing a trans at work...
91ss sdn 5spd
taking the time to do it right = stress free fun
xise
Third Gear
Posts: 576
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:17 pm
Location: Rhode Island

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by xise »

well this shop sucks so its totally possible, they had loose nuts on the downpipe flange and managed to break my radiator
...thanks everyone I'll try these things, this crap makes me hate automatics all that much more.
2004 Impreza 2.5RS Fränkenpreza Daily Driver
1993 Legacy Sport: Sedan Sex Panther-R.I.P. @ the boneyard
1991 Legacy L Wagon: Sex Panther II
2005 Outback XT Turbo grocery-getter Wife's Daily Driver
91Beater
First Gear
Posts: 219
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2012 12:37 pm
Location: pdx

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by 91Beater »

Make them fix it. Sounds like they're giving you the runabouts
xise
Third Gear
Posts: 576
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:17 pm
Location: Rhode Island

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by xise »

I don't want them to touch any vehicle I own ever again, the guy who drove my car out of the lot had like 3 teeth...i'm all set lol!

I didn't get a chance to start it up today though, I still need to get some coolant and top it off...hopefully tomorrow
2004 Impreza 2.5RS Fränkenpreza Daily Driver
1993 Legacy Sport: Sedan Sex Panther-R.I.P. @ the boneyard
1991 Legacy L Wagon: Sex Panther II
2005 Outback XT Turbo grocery-getter Wife's Daily Driver
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27931
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by Legacy777 »

I know it may sound trivial, but check to make sure your battery is good.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
xise
Third Gear
Posts: 576
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:17 pm
Location: Rhode Island

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by xise »

the battery is good, It starts my RS up every time. The car did not crank in neutral today either, didn't get a chance to check the neutral switch either. Hopefully is one of those things mentioned earlier...
2004 Impreza 2.5RS Fränkenpreza Daily Driver
1993 Legacy Sport: Sedan Sex Panther-R.I.P. @ the boneyard
1991 Legacy L Wagon: Sex Panther II
2005 Outback XT Turbo grocery-getter Wife's Daily Driver
xise
Third Gear
Posts: 576
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:17 pm
Location: Rhode Island

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by xise »

Now if the neutral safety switch was bad or not adjusted properly, wouldn't it not show what gear it was in or display it incorrectly...i am not to savvy with at trans so I really don't know
2004 Impreza 2.5RS Fränkenpreza Daily Driver
1993 Legacy Sport: Sedan Sex Panther-R.I.P. @ the boneyard
1991 Legacy L Wagon: Sex Panther II
2005 Outback XT Turbo grocery-getter Wife's Daily Driver
91Beater
First Gear
Posts: 219
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2012 12:37 pm
Location: pdx

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by 91Beater »

xise wrote:Now if the neutral safety switch was bad or not adjusted properly, wouldn't it not show what gear it was in or display it incorrectly...i am not to savvy with at trans so I really don't know
Have you called them and at least advised them? I'd hate to see you losing out because of something they screwed up.

You already allowed them to screw it up, so give them another try to unscrew it up, or request them to pay have it fixed by someone else.
Subiman91ss
First Gear
Posts: 78
Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2012 10:23 pm
Location: tigard OR

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by Subiman91ss »

well if the neutral safety switch, i think is more for a manual car in this yr....

I would focus on the gear selector unit in the side of the trans... if its not properly adjusted it will display the wrong gear or incorrectly on the dash... this will cause your car not to start or even attempt to because the computer thinks the trans is in gear and starting it like that can do damage, thats y it doesnt even try

SO adjusting the gear sonsor/switch or range selector.. when you slide under the car, there will be a flat electronic piece on the driver side.. it will have a metal arm coming off of it with a cable attached(cable goes to your shifter)... loosen the three bolts on the sensor and turn ignition on to position 1.. slowely rotate the sensor tell it displays the correctly on the dash... tighten and try starting.. they can be kind of sensitive... also make sure the cable to your shifter is tight..

when the sensor is properly adjusted, the light on the dash will switch at the exact same time you shift the stick.. make sure it goes into every gear properly.

I have done lots of trans stuff... let me know if this doesnt work
91ss sdn 5spd
taking the time to do it right = stress free fun
SiCkSTi04
Second Gear
Posts: 481
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:24 pm
Location: St Pete, FL

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by SiCkSTi04 »

xise wrote:Now if the neutral safety switch was bad or not adjusted properly, wouldn't it not show what gear it was in or display it incorrectly...i am not to savvy with at trans so I really don't know
Sometimes with a NSS you can manual switch through the gears (holding down the little black tab next to the gear selector) a couple times, then try starting it. I've even seen some start up in the next gear below Park (next on our cars is Reverse). This helps pin point if its the NSS.
-04 WRX STi - Java Black Pearl - Cobb Stage 2
-02 Forester Type S premium - Platinum Silver Metallic - Stock
-92 Legacy Sport Sedan - Onyx Black Pearl - Stock
xise
Third Gear
Posts: 576
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:17 pm
Location: Rhode Island

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by xise »

so if it starts in any other gear other than park it is the NSS then...I tried shifting up and down the gears, ill mess w/ it some more and see what I come up with, thanks for these little tricks. I'll try em all before I spend any more $$
2004 Impreza 2.5RS Fränkenpreza Daily Driver
1993 Legacy Sport: Sedan Sex Panther-R.I.P. @ the boneyard
1991 Legacy L Wagon: Sex Panther II
2005 Outback XT Turbo grocery-getter Wife's Daily Driver
xise
Third Gear
Posts: 576
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:17 pm
Location: Rhode Island

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by xise »

it isn't starting in any gear, the gear selector light on the dash is out again and still nothing...I'm not 100% sure on how to adjust this cable or if the switch just needs to be replaced...tough thing is it is on a hill so I can't even jack it up safely to get under there to do the job...bullocks. this is starting to get annoying.
2004 Impreza 2.5RS Fränkenpreza Daily Driver
1993 Legacy Sport: Sedan Sex Panther-R.I.P. @ the boneyard
1991 Legacy L Wagon: Sex Panther II
2005 Outback XT Turbo grocery-getter Wife's Daily Driver
Subiman91ss
First Gear
Posts: 78
Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2012 10:23 pm
Location: tigard OR

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by Subiman91ss »

Man that sucks.. sorry to hear it.. If i where you I would check the wiring and the switch at the trans.. I would think that if there is no light on the dash then the computer is disabling everything. thats my 2 cents. good luck
91ss sdn 5spd
taking the time to do it right = stress free fun
xise
Third Gear
Posts: 576
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:17 pm
Location: Rhode Island

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by xise »

thanks, hopefully I get this figured out, wish I had more time to spend on it...I really need to get it towed out of my driveway so I can really work on it. Nothing I can do with it on the hill the way it is. And now the gear selector light is off again...something must be loose.
2004 Impreza 2.5RS Fränkenpreza Daily Driver
1993 Legacy Sport: Sedan Sex Panther-R.I.P. @ the boneyard
1991 Legacy L Wagon: Sex Panther II
2005 Outback XT Turbo grocery-getter Wife's Daily Driver
Subiman91ss
First Gear
Posts: 78
Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2012 10:23 pm
Location: tigard OR

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by Subiman91ss »

also try looking at the wires, make sure that shop didnt break anything when the did the work..
91ss sdn 5spd
taking the time to do it right = stress free fun
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27931
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by Legacy777 »

If the gear selector lights don't work on the dash I'd check to make sure the electrical connectors are plugged in correctly and the wires look good and are not damaged.

More than likely you've got an electrical issue. The inhibitor switch on the auto trans's is what handles the "NSS" function as well as all the starter interlock circuit. So if the wiring going to the trans, including the inhibitor switch, you won't get the display lights on the dash or be able to start the car.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
xise
Third Gear
Posts: 576
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:17 pm
Location: Rhode Island

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by xise »

Strange thing is at first, I didn't have the lights on the dash... I replaced the broken ground at the pitch stop and then I DID have the gear selector lights...with no change in the starting situation then it suddenly stopped coming on....weird
2004 Impreza 2.5RS Fränkenpreza Daily Driver
1993 Legacy Sport: Sedan Sex Panther-R.I.P. @ the boneyard
1991 Legacy L Wagon: Sex Panther II
2005 Outback XT Turbo grocery-getter Wife's Daily Driver
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27931
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by Legacy777 »

When you added the ground you may have moved some of the transmission wiring harness around, which might have made momentary connection to allow the lights to come on.

You're going to have to break out the multi meter and check the solenoids and other wiring going to the transmission to see what is bad and what is not.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
xise
Third Gear
Posts: 576
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:17 pm
Location: Rhode Island

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by xise »

Looks that way to me...my $4 harbor freight multimeter has been getting a workout lately. I am going to kick myself of it is just a loose connection, I do have a bad habit of overlooking simple things like that though
2004 Impreza 2.5RS Fränkenpreza Daily Driver
1993 Legacy Sport: Sedan Sex Panther-R.I.P. @ the boneyard
1991 Legacy L Wagon: Sex Panther II
2005 Outback XT Turbo grocery-getter Wife's Daily Driver
xise
Third Gear
Posts: 576
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:17 pm
Location: Rhode Island

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by xise »

fixed it was a fricken electrical plug that the plastic part that clips on broke so it was loose...just pluged it back in started er up and that was that...I checked everything but the wire harnesses coming from the trans...duh

Image
here was the culprit...only figured it out when I had some nice uninterupted time to look at it
2004 Impreza 2.5RS Fränkenpreza Daily Driver
1993 Legacy Sport: Sedan Sex Panther-R.I.P. @ the boneyard
1991 Legacy L Wagon: Sex Panther II
2005 Outback XT Turbo grocery-getter Wife's Daily Driver
Subiman91ss
First Gear
Posts: 78
Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2012 10:23 pm
Location: tigard OR

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by Subiman91ss »

congrats..... good to hear you figured it out and didnt have to take a ton of stuff apart. If it happens again wrap it with a little black tape.
91ss sdn 5spd
taking the time to do it right = stress free fun
xise
Third Gear
Posts: 576
Joined: Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:17 pm
Location: Rhode Island

Re: EJ22T Not starting, not cranking

Post by xise »

exactly what I was thinking....lol I always fear the worst and check everything else but what it really is
2004 Impreza 2.5RS Fränkenpreza Daily Driver
1993 Legacy Sport: Sedan Sex Panther-R.I.P. @ the boneyard
1991 Legacy L Wagon: Sex Panther II
2005 Outback XT Turbo grocery-getter Wife's Daily Driver
Post Reply