Question My Subaru sometimes randomly will not start. I don't leave lights on, radio,
key "on" or door open. Sometimes a jump works, sometimes (like today) it
doesn't. Today in addition to the non-start from the jump, there was a bit of
white smoke from the battery area. This seems like it would be some sort of
short? I've taken the car to my mechanic and he can't figure it out (and he's
great) My next step is to take the battery out and see where the smoke could
have been coming from. I saw that someone else had a similar problem. Is
this a common thing with Subaru's?
Thanks in advance,
Smokey Subey
Answer Hey Sara, Smokey Subie,
When it doesn't start does it make a single "click" type sound?
If that is the case it most likely has worn starter contacts.
Now as far as the smoke, was it smoking while you were jumping the vehicle? If so look there, if you try to jump a car that doesn't need a jump you can create all sorts of problems, same thing is true if the connections at the battery are in poor shape.
I know you like your guy but everything you are describing sounds fairly straight forward to diagnose to me.
