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Subaru Forester Electrical/Lighting Issues

139 messages,  Last post on Oct 02, 2011 at 9:44 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Lights, Electrical, Wagon

Messages Page 1 of 14

#1 of 139 Subaru Forester Electrical/Lighting Issues by pf_flyer HOST

Oct 23, 2006 (7:12 am)

This is the place to chase down those electrical gremlins in your Forester.

#2 of 139 Flickering Headlights by mxbaero

Jan 22, 2006 (9:17 pm)

I have a 2000 Subaru Forester S with 100K miles. Recently, the lights have started briefly flickering once or twice when the turn signal/light arm on the steering column is moved. I suspect a wire has come loose in the arm/or steering column, and I'm looking for help in tracking down the right repair manual or advice in fixing the problem before the lights cut out completely.
 
I'm competent enought to have installed keyless entry, but that was with the help of a repair guide for my other car. Opening up the steering column has me a little more wary. I've searched all over for a Chilton's like guide for the 2000 Forester, but can't find anything other than the really pricey factory manuals. I guess I'd settle for one of those if I can get some help finding the right one.
 
Any advice?

#3 of 139 Re: Flickering Headlights [mxbaero] by grahampeters

Jan 22, 2006 (10:45 pm)

Replying to: mxbaero (Jan 22, 2006 9:17 pm)
G'day
 
First question is whether the car is fitted with a Driver's Airbag. If so, entrust it to an expert as the entertainment of an airbag triggering is something you don't want to experience.
 
Cheers
 
Graham

#4 of 139 Re: Flickering Headlights [grahampeters] by p0926

Jan 23, 2006 (7:41 am)

Replying to: grahampeters (Jan 22, 2006 10:45 pm)
Yes there's a driver's airbag so I recommend that you heed Graham's sound advice.
 
-Frank

#5 of 139 Re: Flickering Headlights [mxbaero] by flj168

Jan 27, 2006 (8:28 pm)

Replying to: mxbaero (Jan 22, 2006 9:17 pm)
I had a similar problem with my 2000 Forester after changing a new battery purchased from Costco. My parking lights started to click on and off. After spending an hour checking all the fuses and electrical connections and reading the owner’s manual from cover to cover, I gave up and left the car in my driveway. I locked the car with my remote, and an amazing thing happened, the parking lights stopped turning on and off! By locking the doors with the remote, it reset the car’s electrical system.
 
I hope you have similar luck?

#6 of 139 Re: Flickering Headlights [flj168] by ateixeira

Jan 30, 2006 (10:27 am)

Replying to: flj168 (Jan 27, 2006 8:28 pm)
Now that I think about it the same thing happens to mine, whenever I disconnect the battery and reconnect, I have to lock/unlock a few cycles to get it to stop doing that.
 
-juice

#7 of 139 Re: Flickering Headlights [ateixeira] by donivan

Nov 02, 2006 (3:12 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 30, 2006 10:27 am)
FYI : The reason your lights flicker after replacing the battery is because some Subaru vehicles are equipped with a keyless entry unit manufactured be Code Alarm. The unit they chose to use was the same as the SECURITY systems that were DEALER installed by Ford, GM and Mitsubishi. My dad has a 98 FXT and the module is mounted under the driver's side dash, left of the brake pedal. The reason the lights start to blink is because the Keyless module they chose to use is actually a FULL BLOWN SECURITY SYSTEM with the optional features not installed. When you disconnect the battery, the module thinks that maybe a "bad guy" is trying to "bypass the security system" by disconnecting the battery. When power is restored, it immediately triggers - flashing the lights and sounding the siren. (No siren is installed in the case of Subaru) When you press the "unlock" button on you remote, it "disarms" the security system. The good news is that you actually have a full blown security system module in your car. If you find a Code Alarm dealer that still has some legacy equipment around, you can add the siren, LED and shock sensor and upgrade to a complete system.

#8 of 139 Subaru Forester 2006 electrical short by delucar

Nov 10, 2006 (2:54 pm)

Hello
I am brand new to this forum--sorry for the length of the post but it's an extremely odd occurrence. I bought a 2006 Subaru Forester X in July of 2005 (brand new, only owner).
A couple of months ago we had a fuse short out which my husband replaced with the Subaru spare fuse (yes--it was the correct fuse). Two days ago, we drove the car to work in the morning, I got back to it about 10 hours later to see a third of the passenger side floor BURNED, the inner console burned to the point that the plastic on the right side of gear shift was completed melted (you can nearly see underneath the gear). It melted so much that it approached the dc lighter box (below stereo). It seems that the root of the fire/meltdown came from underneath the passenger seat where I'm told the main system board is located. I did not dare turn on the vehicle and am still dealing with Subaru of N. America to determine what is going on. I was wondering if anyone has heard of this sort of thing happening. The entire front area is completely smoke damaged (all uncovered interior is now smoke colored and all exposed plastic/glass is smoke covered). I don't think it was a fire because there was a newspaper right on the passenger seat completely untouched. Also---we DO NOT smoke on this vehicle. Any suggestions would be great. I am really upset about this because I LOVED my car. I had no problems for the first 13 months of owning it.

#9 of 139 Re: Subaru Forester 2006 electrical short [delucar] by terry92270

Nov 10, 2006 (4:50 pm)

Replying to: delucar (Nov 10, 2006 2:54 pm)
Well, rare occurrences happen.
 
I hope you reported the fire and damage to your insurance company! If not, please do so. Once they are involved, any car manufacturer repairs the damage far more promptly.
 
I had a crack appear in my sunroof, same car as yours. They told me it must have been a foreign object hitting it. I took it to my AAA office, and they called Subaru, and they repaired it as soon as they received the replacement glass at the dealer. Seems the insurance company had documented many reports of the exact same fault, in the same place, rear left corner, from other Subaru owners.
 
See, the Insurance Industry operates a computer database of all such "odd" and not-to-odd occurrence's. Makes it much harder for the car companies to claim they don't know about such things, or they are the owner's fault.
 
I totally agree with you about loving my Forester. Keep us posted on what happens, please!

#10 of 139 Re: Subaru Forester 2006 electrical short [delucar] by ateixeira

Nov 16, 2006 (9:14 am)

Replying to: delucar (Nov 10, 2006 2:54 pm)
Electrical short sounds about right. Wow. First ever I've heard of such a report on a Subaru here on Edmunds.com. Wild.
 
Obviously take it to your dealer but also call 800-SUBARU3 and ask them to open a case number for you. Ask them for a loaner car while all the repairs are done, and tell them you want replacements for all the items damaged by the heat, including the center console panels affected.
 
The dealer will do the work but the 800 guys basically monitor your case to make sure you are taken care of.
 
-juice

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