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Subaru Legacy/Outback Wagons Maintenance & Repair

8641 messages,  Last post on May 03, 2013 at 9:35 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Wagon

Messages Page 777 of 865

#7757 of 8641 Re: Possible alternator issue on 2000 Outback Wagon [nmsubaru] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 24, 2008 (9:42 am)

Replying to: nmsubaru (Jun 22, 2008 6:16 pm)
For next time---never, ever try to charge up a completely dead battery with only your alternator as the charging medium. This often puts a big strain on the alternator and the battery, and since your alternator was old, this may have pushed it over the edge. Also, never jump start a battery that has gone completely totally dead. This can be dangerous. It should be taken out and charged.
 
Visiting Host, Subaru owner as well

#7758 of 8641 Charging Problem by lostohn

Jun 28, 2008 (11:34 am)

Help my 2001 Subaru Outback is having electrical problems. In one year I have replaced three alternators and three batteries and now I cannot trust my vehicle
A year ago I left the car sitting in my driveway for three weeks. After that while driving the ABS light came on and the gauges fluttered. Then the car suddenly stopped running. I brought it to an independent garage. They told me the alternator was not charging. They replaced the alternator and the battery. After only a few weeks it quit on me. I was out of town and I brought it into a CT. They tested and told me the alternator was not charging. They replaced the alternator. A few weeks later it quit again. I brought it a local CT. After testing they told me the alternator was not charging and replaced it.
Then I brought the car into my local Subaru dealer. They tested and told me the battery was defective. I replaced it but the garage that had sold it they told me it tested fine. After that, I drove for ten months without problems. Last week the problem came back. I was on a trip and I brought the car into another CT. They tested and said that the battery was low and not charging. I replaced the battery and completed my trip under some duress because I was concerned the problem would reoccur. Again the garage told me the battery tested fine. I have noticed that the charge warning light does not always come on when I start the car.

#7759 of 8641 Re: Possible alternator issue on 2000 Outback Wagon [Mr_Shiftright] by nmsubaru

Jun 28, 2008 (12:40 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 24, 2008 9:42 am)
To clarify, the charge warning light is what came on along with the brake light after I got the car running again after I reinstalled the the battery I got recharged at Autozone.
 
We seem to be doing okay after getting the alternator replaced on Monday.
 
I'll remember the advice from Mr. Shiftright about avoiding jump starting a completely dead battery--it was obvious that the alternator could not keep up with the power demand when I got the car going again.
 
Greg

#7760 of 8641 2002 Outback Sedan Problem by carmaven18

Jun 29, 2008 (7:38 am)

We have a 2002 Outback Sedan H6-3.0 . Today we noticed that the right brakelights were not working. We tried replacing the bulbs and fuses, but nothing worked. The wires seem to be connected, although it is possible that somewhere along the line they are not and we just can't see it. Although the tail light does not work, the right turn signal functions properly. Does anyone have any idea as to what is causing this problem, and what can be done to fix it? Thanks.

#7761 of 8641 check engine warning light by ramone899

Jul 02, 2008 (3:00 pm)

Hi. I have a 1997 Outback wagon with about 112,000 miles on it. It has had all of it's major required services since I bought it new. While driving it on a highway recently the "check engine" light came on, in yellow rather than red letters (someone told me that the color is significant and that red is worse than yellow). The light stayed on until I had to refuel the car, after which the light went out. I thought it must have been something with the gas cap but then the light came back on. The car has been starting and running great the whole time.
Before I take it somewhere to be charged $100+ for checking codes, does anyone have any opinions as to what might make the check engine light come on, go off, come back on, etc.? Thanks.

#7762 of 8641 Replacing wheels and tires by cd68

Jul 02, 2008 (7:05 pm)

Has anyone replaced the standard Legacy wheels and tires with something larger? What has been the overall driving difference?
 
I'm going to be purchasing a 3.0R later this year, but the standard tires seem a bit small. I was thinking 18 inch wheels (perhaps 7.5 or 8), with something like a 235 tire.
 
Any recommendations???

#7763 of 8641 Re: Best independent garages for Subaru in San Jose, CA or nearby? [mountainwalker] by cd68

Jul 02, 2008 (7:48 pm)

Replying to: mountainwalker (May 11, 2008 2:30 pm)
This will be about 75 miles away, and I'm sure you're looking for something a bit closer to the Silicon Valley region, but I highly recommend California Auto Repair in Modesto. I've been taking my cars there for over 20 years.

#7764 of 8641 Re: check engine warning light [ramone899] by ateixeira

Jul 03, 2008 (11:05 am)

Replying to: ramone899 (Jul 02, 2008 3:00 pm)
I suggest you buy a code reader. I've seen them for as little as $79.
 
I've used mine about 3 times on our fleet, usually just for a loose gas cap. I also helped 2-3 friends reset their codes.
 
It pays for itself the first time you use it. Mine is a $99 Actron model. It worked on a 98 Forester, an 02 Legacy, and even a friend's Chevy Suburban. Go figure.

#7765 of 8641 Re: Replacing wheels and tires [cd68] by ateixeira

Jul 03, 2008 (11:08 am)

Replying to: cd68 (Jul 02, 2008 7:05 pm)
That much extra width may rub. I'm concerned about the fenders, there's not much room there.

#7766 of 8641 'VDC OFF' and CEL code by subyob

Jul 04, 2008 (2:53 am)

I live in Australia and own a Jap. spec. 2000 H6 Subaru Outback VDC wagon. The 'VDC off" light has recently come on. I have had my Subaru dealer check this and fix the problem but they told me there is normally a switch under the dash to reset this light. Apparently on mine it is not where they expected it to be and they could not find it. Does anyone have any ideas about how to clear this code/warning light?

Messages Page 777 of 865

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