Subaru Loyale Charging Problem

- R
- rudyeb
  
  Contact options for registered users
posted
20 years ago

Tue, Jan 13, 2004 3:07 PM

I have a 1990 Loyale with 28,000 original miles that belonged to my wifes uncle. Car runs fine except for this one electrical problem; I was driving the car a few nights ago and had the headlights on, heater on and the radio on as I drove uphill the car starts to buck and slow down to a crawl. I turned off the lights, heater and radio and used the 4 way flashers. Slowly but surely I was able to buck my way up the hill and then I was able to drive it downhill to my home. I noted that once I was level, the turbo turned off which is normal and the car started to run fine. Previously the dealer replaced the alternator and the car runs fine during the day. Has anyone experienced this problem or have any idea what the problem is? Subaru seems a bit miffed and I would like to get this straightened out as this car is for my son. Many thanks, Rudy snipped-for-privacy@adelphia.net

- R
- Rick Courtright
  
  Contact options for registered users
Vote on answer
posted
20 years ago

Tue, Jan 13, 2004 8:37 PM

Hi,

What's the condition of the battery? With that few miles, even if it's relatively new, it may not be takng a charge properly. Try trickle charging it overnight if you can. Also, see Edward Hayes recommendations on cleaning all the connections in the "OT-Bad Alternator?" thread. Might be some corrosion in there somewhere: you could be getting enough (barely) juice thru the system during the day, but when you add some load at night, it becomes no go.

Good luck,

Rick

- T
- tomcas
  
  Contact options for registered users
Vote on answer
posted
20 years ago

Wed, Jan 14, 2004 4:43 AM

That does not sound like an electrical problem, at least not one that was due to the battery not charging. When a car runs low on current sufficient enough to drive the ignition and you turn off the lights you will feel and immediate surge and restoration of power. That does not fit your case where you continued to buck your way up the hill. It sounds like any effect you saw was the slight reduction in electrical load and consequently slightly more available horsepower although it was only a couple of horsepower. It could be anything from a dirty fuel filter to who knows what.