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Subaru Outback/Legacy Electronic & Lighting Problems

169 messages,  Last post on Oct 26, 2012 at 11:33 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Lights, Electrical, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 16 of 17

#150 of 169 Re: My 2000 legacy [zshaw1] by xwesx

Jun 11, 2012 (9:47 am)

Replying to: zshaw1 (Jun 11, 2012 5:26 am)
If it died while you were driving, it is either your alternator or a connector to the alternator. Most likely, it's the alternator.
 
They do have a lifespan. The one on my '96 Outback started getting weak at around 130,000 miles. I kept it in there until around 175,000, but it wouldn't produce enough current to charge the car at idle if I had the headlights on.

#151 of 169 Re: Intermittent electrical problem [metroart] by woodcrvr

Jun 13, 2012 (7:16 am)

Replying to: metroart (Mar 09, 2012 1:45 pm)
Metroart,
 
I just bought a 2003 Outback with this same problem. Did you find a solution?
 
Thanks,
Rich

#152 of 169 dash warning lights say on by pella2

Jul 30, 2012 (3:09 pm)

Hello everyone. My sons 1990 legacy 2.2L has a problem with the warning lights. The battery, brake, stop lamp, at oil temp lamps stay on whether the car is running or not. They go out when the key is turned all the way off. When he pulls the emergency brake, that lamp gets brighter and gets dimmer when released. I checked the electrical connections in the engine compartment and they seem fine. I am really not sure where to look.

#153 of 169 Re: dash warning lights say on [pella2] by ateixeira

Jul 31, 2012 (6:53 am)

Replying to: pella2 (Jul 30, 2012 3:09 pm)
Could be tough to pin point, but search for "Single Point Ground", as I recall Subies from that ear benefiting from that electrical mod.

#154 of 169 Re: dash warning lights say on [pella2] by jd_24

Jul 31, 2012 (9:28 am)

Replying to: pella2 (Jul 30, 2012 3:09 pm)
Check the alternator. My 2001 OB once had the brake light come on during a drive home. Then once the battery was about shot, just about every light came on at once. 30 seconds latter... no more and I coasted to a stop. Interesting thing was that the battery light wasn't the light to come on first, and didn't come on until the battery was basically dead.

#155 of 169 Re: dash warning lights say on by pella2

Jul 31, 2012 (7:19 pm)

Thanks for the quick replies. I will check those things and let you know how things work out. I appreciate the input.

#156 of 169 Re: dash warning lights say on [jd_24] by pella2

Sep 03, 2012 (7:38 am)

Replying to: jd_24 (Jul 31, 2012 9:28 am)
Thanks a lot for the tip. I did check the alternator and that was the problem. Replaced it and all is OK now. Just seems a little weird that erroneous trouble lights appear when the alternator is bad. I would expect just an "ALT" light instead of all the other stuff that showed up.
 
Thanks again.

#157 of 169 Re: dash warning lights say on [pella2] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 03, 2012 (11:09 am)

Replying to: pella2 (Sep 03, 2012 7:38 am)
On modern cars, when voltage drops or is erratic, the computers go nuts. Steady voltages are a must.

#158 of 169 Lights dim and noise in radio by fmochrie

Oct 13, 2012 (10:46 am)

Hi I just got a 1998 Subaru Legacy wagon. As I would be driving everything is ok until I slow down and stop the lights (all of them) go dim and there is a lot of noise in the radio. When the car is sitting running you can see and hear the car and light revving up and down. The car starts and drives fine.

#159 of 169 Re: Lights dim and noise in radio [fmochrie] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 13, 2012 (11:21 am)

Replying to: fmochrie (Oct 13, 2012 10:46 am)
Sounds like a failing alternator or a dead or soon to die battery OR very corroded or loose connections OR a bad engine-to-frame ground cable. You should do some exploring on loose wires and corroded cables, then make sure your battery is fully charged and then test the alternator output with a volt meter across the battery cables.
 
If the battery in the car is over 5 years old, it's tired.

Messages Page 16 of 17

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