'96 Outback kill switch...?

[adam drew]

Hi all,

I bought a '96 Subaru (Legacy) Outback a couple of years ago.  It has
some sort of aftermarket kill switch/security system installed and
won't start unless you flash high beams while turning the key.

In the past it has always been fine ... but it has started getting
cranky recently and the car often refuses to start, usually at the most
inconvenient time.  The first couple of times it happened, I
disconnected the battery and it started right up, but that has stopped
working.  So now I just randomly do stuff until it starts, like lock
and unlock the doors, open and close the hood, open and close the
hatch, jump up and down on the front bumper, etc.  Eventually I'll do
something and it will start....

Does anyone have any more details about this system?  By any chance was
it a factory option? As far as I know the car doesn't have an alarm or
keyless entry.

I've Googled but can't find anything, so I don't know what "activates"
it.  I'm the third owner of the car ... it was installed by the original
owner and the guy I bought it from doesn't know anything other than the
bit about the high beams.

I really just want to remove/disable it.   Any tips on where to look?
I've looked under the hood and don't see anything that looks
aftermarket, and I didn't see any weirdness in either of the fuse
boxes.

If I take it to a car audio shop will they be able to find it?  I
really want to avoid taking it to the Subaru dealer...they charge an
arm and a leg to do anything.

Thanks,
Adam

 

[mulder]

Hi all,

I bought a '96 Subaru (Legacy) Outback a couple of years ago.  It has
some sort of aftermarket kill switch/security system installed and
won't start unless you flash high beams while turning the key.

In the past it has always been fine ... but it has started getting
cranky recently and the car often refuses to start, usually at the most
inconvenient time.  The first couple of times it happened, I
disconnected the battery and it started right up, but that has stopped
working.  So now I just randomly do stuff until it starts, like lock
and unlock the doors, open and close the hood, open and close the
hatch, jump up and down on the front bumper, etc.  Eventually I'll do
something and it will start....

Does anyone have any more details about this system?  By any chance was
it a factory option? As far as I know the car doesn't have an alarm or
keyless entry.

I've Googled but can't find anything, so I don't know what "activates"
it.  I'm the third owner of the car ... it was installed by the original
owner and the guy I bought it from doesn't know anything other than the
bit about the high beams.

I really just want to remove/disable it.   Any tips on where to look?
I've looked under the hood and don't see anything that looks
aftermarket, and I didn't see any weirdness in either of the fuse
boxes.

If I take it to a car audio shop will they be able to find it?  I
really want to avoid taking it to the Subaru dealer...they charge an
arm and a leg to do anything.

Thanks,
Adam

Definitely not a factory option. Find a good local shop that knows
what they are doing and have it removed.

 

[Dmitriy]

You know, since it's a 10 year old car, it might also just be a bad
starter... the symptoms sure sound like one. Does it make a "click"
noise from the engine bay when you turn the key?

 

[allsixesandsevens]

Adam...

I had the EXACT same problem happen with my car (same year, same
model). I finally got tired of it, and paid a mechanic to remove the
thing (about $100 bucks I think). Now it's fine, although I lost the
small light that illumiates the automatic gearshift. Good luck...

 

[Adam]

Thanks ... good to know I'm not crazy.

Do you have any additional information, like where it was, or how it
was hooked up, or the name of the system? I want to try and get rid of
it myself ... but haven't been able to find anything
aftermarket-looking.

Thanks again,
Adam