September 4, 201510 yr My wife reports that the car has been acting very strange latley. I recently replaced the starter which solved the no start issue we were having. Every thing was good for a week or so and then sometimes it would take a few turns of the key before the car would start. Recently random lights would come on and go off for no reason. Today, my wife could not start the car without the alarm going off. She finally did get it to start without the alarm and now that its home ito won't show me any symptoms. This must be something with the wiring right? Where should I start. The car is a 99 outback with 98 Impreza 2.2. Automatic. Thanks
September 4, 201510 yr Always start with checking battery cables and grounds. X2 make sure battery terminals are clean and tight.
September 5, 201510 yr Author In the past, the positive battery terminal suddenly became very corroded so replaced the connector. Now I am noticing the begining of corrosion on it again. I understand this can be caused by the alternator overcharging the system. Is this a possible cause for all of these issues ( no start, random lights coming on, alarm going off )? Thanks
September 5, 201510 yr Author New realization! The alarm went off because the car started in the 10th try so it thought we were trying to reset the alarm. That doesn't explain the no starts and random electrical gremlins ( radio surging on/off, window Moyer running noise ). Any help is appreciated.
September 7, 201510 yr Author Any thoughts on a bad alternator causing these problems? I drove the car this morning with no problems. My wife just took it to the store and when she got back into the car after shoping, it took about 40 turns before the car would start. When it did, the alarm went off. She tried driving it one with the alarm going off but the alarm bogged down and the car shut off. After a few minutes, she was able to start it and drive back home. What the heck is going on? Thanks
September 12, 201510 yr Not sure, a few random thoughts ... do you see the brake light on at all or flickering? Are you sure the big fat heavy ground wire that connects near/at the starter got reconnected when the starter was replaced? If one of the diodes shorts in the alternator it can make it do strange things. I had that happen on my 2000 Outback and it would run but it was like not all cylinders were firing or something and the ABS light came out.
September 12, 201510 yr Author Not sure, a few random thoughts ... do you see the brake light on at all or flickering? Are you sure the big fat heavy ground wire that connects near/at the starter got reconnected when the starter was replaced? If one of the diodes shorts in the alternator it can make it do strange things. I had that happen on my 2000 Outback and it would run but it was like not all cylinders were firing or something and the ABS light came out. Thanks for the reply. I installed a new alternator and all is well. For now Edited September 12, 201510 yr by davidschaffer
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