The Battery and Alternator test good. The last time driving the vehicle, the ABS and Battery lights in the dash came on and the battery completely went dead. Before this time, the two lights would come on and off intermittently while driving and also loose power a little bit. This seems to happen after driving awhile. Any ideas, we are thinking it could be the alternator.
Keith
"MYsubaru1986 via CarKB.com" wrote in :
With a voltmeter, what is the voltage across the battery with the car not running? What is the voltage when the car is running?
Hmmm, Intermittent short somewhere around ABS sensor wires?
The ABS sensor lite comes on when the charge light comes on - bulb check.
First thing I would check is the alternator brushes. They are LIKELY getting short, and possibly worn in the brush holder. Certain vibrations will float them off the slip rings, and the charging system will "go on strike". Running with no charging system will kill the battery.
** Posted from
Worn out brushes on a 2003 van?
My money would be on the alternator. First choice would be intermittent/heat problem with the electronics inside. Less likely, glazed/slipping belt (when was it last checked/replaced?) or trouble with the 'exciter' circuit I suppose.
Carl
Hi,
Original battery?
If so, you're around five years on it. That's not bad for OEM. And for whatever reasons I don't quite understand, I've had batteries go bad in what a buddy laughingly calls "digital failure mode." Car fires right up as always, no indication of trouble, then the next time the key's turned, NOTHING. Might be worth thinking of a replacement battery regardless? Bad batteries are hard on alternators, too...
Also check for loose/corroded connections at the battery, grounds and other connections you can tighten/clean...
Rick
On Mon, 12 May 2008 03:24:55 -0400, Rick Courtright wrote (in article ):
My wife's 1999 Forester, bought new in the fall of 1998, still has its original battery. This is despite the fact that she has only 45,000 miles on the car -- lots of short trips -- which is not good for a battery.
I have a '99 Jeep Wrangler w/ 55k, purchased 11/98, with the original battery.
Unlike a typical Subie, the battery on the Jeep is one of the few original parts remaining.
Hi, Battery life depends a lot on climate. Too cold(like where I am, Canada) or hot places(like Arizona) is no good for batteries. With a handy multimeter we ca pretty well point finger which is culprit, battery or charging circuit or some kind of short or poor connection on battery and alternator posts/terminals. When something like this happens I pry open battery cell caps, check the acid in each cell with hydrometer.
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