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and now, the door warning light... ('00 Forester)


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I posted this as a reply in a different thread:

 

"Re: New to Subaru: Interested in a Forrester

I just picked up my first Subaru, a used 2000 Forester L with 60K mi. on it on Saturday, and, I hate to admit it, but it's already scaring me. This may just be buyer's remorse, but I hear a window leak noise at speed and see a bit of condensation on the inside of the windows at the seals. Reading forums this morning, I see a lot of horror stories about wheel bearings, head gaskets, etc. (though apparently there are fixes for this problem. My car has a 1/1/05 recall/service bulletin for engine cooling system conditioner (stops leaks?) and oxygen sensor.) I haven't had the car long enough to speak to reliability, but the Carfax Vehicle History Report on it has it in the shop every 3,000 miles or so. I thought before I bought it that this was evidence of good regular maintenance, but now I wonder. Any feedback would be appreciated."

 

And now, 4 days into ownership, my door warning light won't go out. Any thoughts out there? Will it run my battery down? (I guess I'll find out when I get back to the parking lot this evening.)

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Beofre getting into the switches and wiring, make sure the doors are closed. No, this is not a wisecrack. On our Forester, the hatch must be closed VERY firmly to make sure the door-open light is out. There is a bit of play in the latch right now (I will solve tomorrow when I tackle a few other jobs on the Forester) and needs some adjustment.

 

If all the doors are closed firmly, and no amount of "wiggling" makes the light go on/off, then you will have to investigate further.

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In my legacy, the metal hook that door latches to when you close the door, had moved a little. So even when the door was closed, it was not flush with the rest of the car. 2 minutes with a screw driver and i fixed all the doors, and my door ajar light went away.

 

All i did was loosen the screw, push the latch in, and tighten.

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2000 should be solid, major problems were fixed by MY2000. You are right, there were 2 recalls for this MY and make sure they were done.

The visits every 3000 miles could be for oil changes. You should be able to get the service history from subaru website.

 

One thing: make sure the tires are identical with equal presures, do regular fluid changes and enjoy AWD!

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My 00 Forester has an alarm. When the car is NOT ARMED, the door ajar light on the dash is lit up. Once I arm the alarm, the door ajar light goes out once the interior dome light fades off. go figure.

 

I don't know why it's wired this way or if this is even a factory alarm (bought car used). but, once I start the car, the door ajar light works as it should.

 

If you have the same dopey alarm I do, you may want to check this out.

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Yes, it does have something to do with the alarm, and the interior lighting time delay. I was a little hasty in my post, sorry. It goes out, same as the dome light (though not at the same time, oddly enough,) after a little pause. Hard to imagine that it's supposed to do this, but I guess it doesn't quite qualify as a "problem." Thanks for all the advice!

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when I got my car the dome light was always on along with the door light on the cluster. Turns out the door wasn't closing flush. I was desperate (and cold) so I super glued a nickel where the PIN switch hits the door. Problem solved.....or so I thought.

 

I went on vacation to FL (when I lived in CO) and left the car with my cousin. I get a call the next day saying the car is dead and battry is superdeaed. He jumps it, drives it around for the day, leaves it overnight and it is dead again.

 

When I return to CO I get the vehiclw back in my possesion and notice the nickel fell off. This time I prep the area well and glue another nickel in it's place.....and it's still there.

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