Sweden Posted July 9, 2005 Share Posted July 9, 2005 Hello! I just spent a very long 4 hours fighting with my 96 Legacy Outback (2.2). I left this moring for a day of motocrossing/camping with my son only to find the battery light and the brake light lit on the dash board. Strange combination... I thought that maybe it was a water/dampness-related problem because I just sprayed the outside of the car off before we left. By the time we got close to our destimation (1/2 hour away) the gauges started dancing on the dashboard. I knew I was almost out of power from the battery at that point and turned around for home. I made it about 5 minutes and then the car died on the road. I got a jump from someone and got the car to his house to put it on the charger. The problem was after a few minutes on the charger, it popped the safety circuit on it. I then thought that the battery was done, so bought a new one and installed it. The battey light and brake sensor light are still on and I assume the same problem still exists. Any ideas what might be up? What would cause the car not to take a charge? The fuses seemed to look good, so the problem isen't there...I think. Thanks beforehand! Sweden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniTransAm Posted July 9, 2005 Share Posted July 9, 2005 How's the voltage to the battery when the car is running? If you put a voltmeter on the battery it should show 16 volts. If not, your alternator may have taken a dump. If you can get it out, autozone can test it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strakes Posted July 9, 2005 Share Posted July 9, 2005 I had a similar problem and it turned out to be the alternator. Please correct me if I am wrong, but according to the haynes manual, the battery voltage should show 14-15 volts when the engine is running. If it's not this much then your alternator is toast. I got my alternator rebuilt at a local electrical motor/alternator shop for about $60. They put in new brushes, a diode pack and bearing. It runs great now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMattyD Posted July 9, 2005 Share Posted July 9, 2005 It is most definitely the alternator. The exact same problem happened to me a month ago. Battery and Brake light simultaneously. Someone explained to me that the ABS system requires a certain voltage to function properly, and that's why you get the brake light along with the battery light. Alternators are expensive, but I got a rebuilt one from 1stsubaruparts.com for a good deal. After I replaced the alternator, no problems. Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweden Posted July 9, 2005 Author Share Posted July 9, 2005 Thanks for the replys! The alternator was my first guess as well. Now the larger problem-finding a alternator in Sweden that won't take ALL of my next paycheck. One additional thing also...finding someone that isn't on vacation to order or rebuild one. Thanks again! Sweden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted July 9, 2005 Share Posted July 9, 2005 If you can find a parts store and get a Bosch rebuilt unit it would be pretty reasonable on you pocketbook plus get a warranty with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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