Having difficulty getting a 12-year-old SUV to start

Q. My 2014 Honda CR-V takes five to six attempts at turning the key in order to start. I replaced the battery and starter earlier this year because I was having the same problem. The engine does not crank and only clicks. Also, once I get it started it will start up fine again for the rest of the day. Wondering if it is something that I can fix or if it’s due to the freezing weather?

A. Certainly this is something you can fix. At this point, you need to go over the basics once again. You or a technician should start with testing the battery and then perform a voltage drop test. The voltage drop test will test for poor connections from the battery to the starter. The technician should also perform the same test on the negative side of the battery. It is possible that the replacement starter is faulty (not unusual these days with some aftermarket parts). I would be looking at poor wiring to the starter and ground circuit. This is best done with a voltmeter looking at voltage drop. After the starter and battery failure, the most common issue is a battery cable with high resistance due to corrosion. 

Q. I wrote to you some weeks ago after getting service (oil change, tire rotation) at the Subaru dealer for my 2024 Forester. The service advisor recommended services and the use of BG products for roughly $1,000, and you advised me that the services, although OK, were not necessary and also pointed out that they were recommending a non-Subaru product. Last week, I took my car to another Subaru dealer for my second service (oil change, tire rotation). and the service advisor there told me I needed the following: throttle body service: $98.95, front, and rear differential flush $359.90, platinum fuel induction service: $269.95, fuel injection service: $210.95, brake fluid exchange service: $210.95. My current mileage is 35,622. Do I need these services?

A. According to available service information, Subaru recommends the following at 36,000 miles. An engine and cabin air filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, and an oil and filter change. Also at 36,000 miles Subaru recommends replacing spark plugs. The other services are, in my opinion, not necessary and seem repetitive. As an example platinum fuel injection cleaning and fuel injection cleaning sound the same. Regarding the front and rear differential service, my question would be was the fluid even inspected or is this just a recommendation that the dealer based on mileage? Over the years I have been impressed with BG products, but here is what it states on their website under shop benefits. “We ensure product quality and supply superior equipment and training. This helps to increase customer retention, improves customer loyalty, and increases shop profitability.” You can draw your own conclusions. 

Q. My wife is pregnant. She is due in mid-April. We are a one-car household, and I own a 1999 Toyota Camry with only about 140,000 miles on it. It has been fairly reliable, though I have certainly put money into it over the years, and based on the mileage I assume it has plenty of life left. But thinking about driving our infant around in it, we are wondering if we should upgrade to a more recent used car (perhaps something in the 2019-20 model year for safety reasons. Is it logical to think that a newer car would be safer? Or is a 1999 Camry safe enough that any safety improvements from buying a more modern car would be minimal? 

A. Congratulations and what a blessing! Compared to your 1999 Camry, which is a fine car for its time, something newer, as an example the 2020 Camry or even a Toyota RAV4, is safer due to available Toyota Safety Sense. According to Toyota all newer models have a stronger body and multiple generational improvements. As you pointed out, your current car has been fairly reliable, but is fairly reliable enough? At 27 years old, it would make a good second car, but as primary transportation there would be repairs and possible breakdowns in your future. If it were me and if it is in your budget, I would look at the 2021 RAV4. The all-wheel drive is great in winter and the extra cargo space is handy with kids. I have always found that car seats fit nicely in newer RAV4 models. Also the 2021 RAV4 was an IIHS Top Safety Pick. 

Q. My 2014 Subaru Crosstrek was at the dealer, and they recommended an engine cleaning at nearly $5,000. There was a diagnostic code P000A. I have followed all of the oil change recommendations, so I am not sure why this happened. Do I really need this service, which costs more than the car is worth? 

A. Usually an engine flush with one or two quick oil changes and a replacement of the oil control valves for the camshaft takes care of the issue. The code is generated when the oil control valve is slow to respond and throws the engine slightly out of time and generates the code. There are several solenoids although the P000A code points to the one on the top right side of the engine on most Subaru models. 

John Paul is AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor. He has over 40 years of experience in the automotive business and is an ASE-certified master technician. E-mail your Car Doctor question to [email protected]. Listen to the Car Doctor podcast at johnfpaul.podbean.com.