Parts for your 1998 Subaru Forester-Starter motor

1998 Subaru Forester Starter Motor: What it does, how it fails, and when to replace it

Yes, the 1998 Subaru Forester absolutely uses a starter motor. Subaru’s Factory Service Manual for the 1998 Forester (SF series) includes a dedicated Starter System section, and the Subaru parts catalog lists a starter assembly for EJ20/EJ25 engines used in that model year (Denso-type unit under the 23300AAxx family). Independent manuals such as Haynes and Chilton also cover removal, testing, and refitting of the Forester’s starter. So the component is relevant and fitted from factory.

The starter motor’s job is simple but critical: it cranks the EJ engine fast enough for fuel and spark to take over. A solenoid on the starter shoves a pinion into the flywheel/flexplate ring gear and energises the motor. Once the engine fires, the pinion retracts and the starter is out of the game until the next cold start.

Owners of older Subarus often encounter intermittent clicks, sluggish cranking, or a grinding sound. On this generation, a very common issue is worn solenoid contacts and plunger inside the Denso starter—these can be serviced without buying a whole new unit. If the armature, bearings, or windings are tired (or the casing is corroded), a quality remanufactured or new OEM-equivalent starter is the go.

Before blaming the starter, it’s worth a few quick checks:

• Battery health and charge state (load test if possible)
• Clean, tight battery terminals and main cables, including the engine earth strap
• Starter relay operation and ignition switch signal at the solenoid “S” terminal

Replacement is straightforward for a competent home mechanic with axle stands and a decent socket set. Disconnect the negative battery terminal, ensure a manual is in neutral or an auto is in Park, and work under the bonnet to unplug the trigger wire and remove the main power cable. Undo the mounting bolts at the bellhousing, lift the starter out, bench-test the replacement, then refit and torque to the spec in the Subaru FSM. Reconnect, check for solid cranking, and listen for any ring-gear noise.

As part of routine servicing on a 1998 Forester, there’s no set interval to replace the starter, but it pays to keep connections clean, protect them from corrosion, and address slow-crank complaints early. If the original unit is Denso and only the contacts are worn, a contacts-and-plunger kit can be a cost-effective fix that keeps the car starting sweet for many more kilometres.

Popular questions about 1998 Subaru Forester starter motors

Where is the starter motor on a 1998 Forester?
It’s mounted on the bellhousing at the rear of the engine, driver’s side on most right-hand-drive cars. You’ll see the main battery cable and a smaller trigger wire going to the solenoid. Access is typically from under the bonnet, on some setups, removing the intake ducting makes life easier.

What are common symptoms of a failing starter on this model?
A single loud click with no crank, intermittent no-start that resolves after a few key turns, slow cranking even with a known-good battery, or a grinding noise as the pinion meets the ring gear. On many Subarus of this era, worn solenoid contacts cause the classic click/no-crank fault.

Can the solenoid contacts be replaced instead of the whole starter?
Often, yes. The Denso starter fitted to many 1998 Foresters can be rebuilt with new contacts and a plunger, restoring reliable engagement. If the motor section is worn or the bearings are noisy, a full rebuild or quality replacement is the better long-term choice.