Repair 7

How to Troubleshoot a Subaru Baja

The Subaru Baja is an all-terrain vehicle that allows people to get to remote camping sites and other rugged environments. If you are having problems with your Subaru Baja, there are a few things you can do before taking it to a Subaru repair shop. Common problems occur with the battery, fuel or the starter. You dont have to be a Subaru technician to get your Baja back on the road.

Instructions

1

Insert the key into the Bajas ignition. Turn the key halfway to engage the instrument panel. Wait for the instrument panel to light up. If the instrument panel does not light up, you have a problem with your battery. If the instrument panel does light up, check the gas gauge. Fill the gas tank if needed and then try to restart your car.

2

Pull on the hood-release latch to the left of your feet in the drivers side of the car. Get out of the Baja and open the hood. Look for the battery to the right of the engine block.

3

Use a pair of channel locks or insulated pliers to tighten the connections of the terminals to the battery prongs. Try to turn the key over to engage the instrument panel. If the instrument panel will not engage, jump-start the Baja.

4

Connect the red and black leads from your jumper cables to the red and black terminals on the battery. Connect the other end of the jumper cables to the red and black terminals on a friends car. Start your friends car and then start your Baja. Allow the Baja to run for 10 to 15 minutes before you turn off the car. Try to restart the car. If the car will not restart, replace the battery with a new one.

5

Jack the front of the Baja up and crawl under the car. Locate the starter. This is a small black box next to the engine. Have your friend turn the ignition and listen to the starter. If you hear a "clicking" or a "buzzing" noise coming from the starter, you will need to have a service technician replace the starter.