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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 10 of 18

#88 of 169 2002 Subaru Legacy wagon electrical problem by chriswanson

Nov 09, 2008 (7:42 pm)

Hi,
 
I have this situation:
 
For a while, ABS light intermittant, not sure why.
 
Recently the fuse for the rear running lights blew, not sure why.
 
After fixing that (and putting on two new belts), the Check Engine light came on (I believe not from loose gas cap). Starting around the same time: when brakes are applied the dashboard lights go to about half power, running/parking lights also dim, and I hear a clicking sound from the AT shifter when in park. This clicking sound goes away if I turn on the parking lights (switch on top of steering column).
 
When the car is in drive, the clicking goes away, but dash / parking lights still dim.
 
Everything else working OK at this point, and there is no history of other electrical problems.
 
Any theories or diagnoses are appreciated. I have not taken the car in to the dealer yet.
 
thanks!

#89 of 169 Re: 2002 Subaru Legacy wagon electrical problem [chriswanson] by xwesx

Nov 11, 2008 (12:10 pm)

Replying to: chriswanson (Nov 09, 2008 7:42 pm)
While it would be difficult to diagnose without a physical inspection, it sounds like you have an electrical short. Most likely, something like that would be caused by a wire exposed by something rubbing through the sheathing somewhere or dirty/wet/loose connectors.

#90 of 169 resolved by chriswanson

Nov 11, 2008 (9:57 pm)

Thanks for the reply..
 
Got it checked out for 120 dollars...
 
Yup, rear lamp socket had a problem that melted the contacts together, and this was causing the symptoms somehow. Not sure why the fuse didnt go first.
 
Check engine light was related to this short.

#92 of 169 98 Subaru Outback lighting by gpratt

Dec 22, 2008 (5:12 pm)

I have a 98 subaru outback which the lighting on the climate control panel will not light up and sometimes the speedometer stops working along with it losing power. It seems to fix itself with exception to the climate control lighting..

#93 of 169 Re: 98 Subaru Outback lighting [gpratt] by ateixeira

Dec 23, 2008 (8:55 am)

Replying to: gpratt (Dec 22, 2008 5:12 pm)
The fact that it's intermittent has me thinking it's a loose wiring connection, perhaps even a cracked solter connection. That happened to the clock in my 98 Forester, and the clock light came in and out.
 
The trick is tracing it.

#94 of 169 no illumination on automatic gear shift panel by scampy1

Jan 05, 2009 (3:56 pm)

I've had my 1998 Subaru Legacy Outback wagon for 4 years and the automatic shift panel has never been illuminated at night except for once a few nights ago. I looked down and it was lit up. Hasn't lit up since. It was nice to see the D, R, N and would like to see them again at night.

#95 of 169 Re: no illumination on automatic gear shift panel [scampy1] by xwesx

Jan 06, 2009 (10:05 am)

Replying to: scampy1 (Jan 05, 2009 3:56 pm)
If there was one complaint I had about my '96 Outback, which seems to hold true for that generation (through 99), is that electrical gremlins are quite prevalent in them, from intermittently working door locks to quick-to-burn-out bulbs to more serious issues. You can tear your hair out trying to fix it or just live with it, but if you try to fix it, I recommend a good, short hair cut before you start.

#96 of 169 2004 Outback LL Bean Edition Electrical Problems by lkelly4

Feb 09, 2009 (9:43 pm)

#97 of 169 2004 Outback LL Bean Edition Electrical Problems by lkelly4

Feb 09, 2009 (9:43 pm)

Purchased the car a year ago and have replaced the alt. and 3 batteries. Took it to the Subaru dealership and they can't find what's wrong. The car will run for up to 3 months after the last battery was replaced. The car sat for 3 days, went out to leave for work and it's dead. The gauges won't even show on the console. It's been to 3 different mechanics, they suggested to not jump start the car but have it towed to the dealership so they can see what's wrong. Did that...twice and still can't find it. Anyone else have any problems like this?

Messages Page 10 of 18

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