91subaru-Bruce

I hadn't touched anything in a long time, the only thing I've done to the car is add remote door locks. I'll check that. Then I'll start pulling fuses, good idea. Battery + and - are on the right leads (I've done stupid stuff like that before...). The white (bigger lead) on the alternator has power going to it even with ignition switch unplugged. So there is something in between the ignition switch and the alt that is feeding power to it. I'll trouble shoot that. I have the wiring diagram from my chilton manual, it's a little hard to follow all the circuits, but it doesn't look like there is a master solinoid. I had a mouse build a nest in the heater box once, but I don't see any signs of nibbling on wires. I haven't even tried to run it with the new alternator because of the wierd power issues (don't want to fry my new alt). The "battery" idiot light never came on by itself when I was having problems. All the dash lights would come on just like when you turn the key before starting (I'm sure something in that circuit is the cause). I know it's not the ignition switch itself though. Thanks guys for all the help and good ideas, I'll let you know what I find out.

Hello All, new to the forum but not to subaru's. Usually pretty good about figuring things out but this one has me stumped. Problem on my 91 Legacy Wagon: Driving down the road when all my dash lights started turning on when I got below 2500 rpm (not just alt light, ALL lights). I stop and don't see anything burning so I try to make it home. 20 minutes later It's a acting like a dead alternator and losing power so I pull off to take a look. I Try to start it and it starts right up, no dash lights and is running fine? I suspect bad cell in battery and replace it and get home. Next time I drive it its the same thing again. Lights come on on the dash and there seams to be a drain (lights get dim). I check voltage across the battery and it's 12, alternator isn't charging. I replace the alternator. This is where it gets wierd. After I install the new alternator and I finish by connecting the negative terminal to the battery, the power comes on in the car (radio, headlights, etc.). This would all be fine if the key was in, but it wasn't even in? I suspect ignition switch now. So I unplug it. Still everything is on when the alternator is plugged in, I disconnect the alternator plug and all the power goes off, key works and starts the car fine (on battery only). I'm stumped. All help appreciated.