subaru battery/electrical problem. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

fuelmyfire · 10-24-2003, 10:00 PM

not much of a car person, but i know a pain-in-the-ass issue when i see it.
i have a 1990 subaru legacy. i had battery issues before (car wouldn't start, car wouldn't jump-start, power windows extremely slow, etc) so i figured the battery was fried (or something...)
2 days ago i installed a brand new battery (car worked great) and within 24 hours the battery was completely drained to the point where the car wouldn't start (...again!)
i know i didn't leave any lights on, etc.

anyone have any ideas? do you need more information from me to solve this? i don't know! thank you.

cj2112 · 10-24-2003, 10:05 PM

Pull your alternator, take it to the local auto parts store and have it tested, sounds to me like it's gone bad

shakran · 10-25-2003, 08:01 AM

Agreed. Either that or you have a short that's sapping the power when the car's off.

Ashton · 10-25-2003, 03:18 PM

It's probally the voltage regulator, which is a electronic device that regulates alternator output according to the state of charge and accessory loads, it's inside the alternator so cj2112 has the right idea.

matt_mll · 10-25-2003, 07:11 PM

alternator, deffinately. Pull it and have it checked out/replaced.

MSD · 10-25-2003, 09:30 PM

Run down to you local Auto Zone and have them run the free alternator test that they do (at least tehy do around here.) Have them take a look at the diagnostic computer while you're there. You can't beat free testing.

If you have an aftermarket stereo or lights installed, you might want to check everything for shorts, because I've heard of more than one situation where that drained the batetery and it was blamed on the alternator.

fuelmyfire · 10-26-2003, 12:40 AM

thanks a lot for the information everyone!

i will take it to a mechanic ASAP and give people a followup on the solution (for archive purposes, i guess)

fuelmyfire · 10-28-2003, 10:59 AM

ok, like i said, i will post the outcome of my situation for archive purposes.

it turns out my alternator belt was severly freyed and not hardly charging the battery...which is strange because the belt was about 2 weeks old.

i see future problems in the midst....oh well.

10-24-2003, 10:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
fuelmyfire Insane	subaru battery/electrical problem. not much of a car person, but i know a pain-in-the-ass issue when i see it. i have a 1990 subaru legacy. i had battery issues before (car wouldn't start, car wouldn't jump-start, power windows extremely slow, etc) so i figured the battery was fried (or something...) 2 days ago i installed a brand new battery (car worked great) and within 24 hours the battery was completely drained to the point where the car wouldn't start (...again!) i know i didn't leave any lights on, etc. anyone have any ideas? do you need more information from me to solve this? i don't know! thank you.

10-24-2003, 10:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
cj2112 Unbelievable Location: Grants Pass OR	Pull your alternator, take it to the local auto parts store and have it tested, sounds to me like it's gone bad

10-25-2003, 08:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	Agreed. Either that or you have a short that's sapping the power when the car's off.

10-25-2003, 03:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ashton PORNHOUND Location: California	It's probally the voltage regulator, which is a electronic device that regulates alternator output according to the state of charge and accessory loads, it's inside the alternator so cj2112 has the right idea.

10-25-2003, 07:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
matt_mll Crazy Location: some volcano in the middle of the pacific	alternator, deffinately. Pull it and have it checked out/replaced.

10-25-2003, 09:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	Run down to you local Auto Zone and have them run the free alternator test that they do (at least tehy do around here.) Have them take a look at the diagnostic computer while you're there. You can't beat free testing. If you have an aftermarket stereo or lights installed, you might want to check everything for shorts, because I've heard of more than one situation where that drained the batetery and it was blamed on the alternator.

10-26-2003, 12:40 AM	#7 (permalink)
fuelmyfire Insane	thanks a lot for the information everyone! i will take it to a mechanic ASAP and give people a followup on the solution (for archive purposes, i guess)

10-28-2003, 10:59 AM	#8 (permalink)
fuelmyfire Insane	ok, like i said, i will post the outcome of my situation for archive purposes. it turns out my alternator belt was severly freyed and not hardly charging the battery...which is strange because the belt was about 2 weeks old. i see future problems in the midst....oh well.