Hi,

 

I have had my 93 Impreza for a little over a year and I have replaced the water pump, timing belt, alternator, starter, battery, batterycables, fuel pump. I am now having a problem that I am not sure what it is. Recently i went to go somewhere in my car and the car was completely dead. I got a jump and it started, shut it off and dead. Got another jump let run for 45 minutes and while driving it just died. No power what so ever. Put in a new battery. Ran good for a couple of days and dead again. I don't know what it wrong. The battery cables are new, the battery is new, it is grounded, all connections are tight. What is it? Help me, please!!!!!!!!!!

It souds like the alternator to me. Get a multimeter and measure the voltage at the battery when the engine is idling. If under 13.50 volts, the alternator is shot.

It souds like the alternator to me. Get a multimeter and measure the voltage at the battery when the engine is idling. If under 13.50 volts, the alternator is shot.

 

 

Thank you, I will try that. I can't believe that I just replaced the alternator about six months ago. Oh well, stuff happens. I thought that was it, but since it was fairly new I didn't think to check it.

Did you check to see if there was any corosion (sometimes greenish muck) on the battery and alternator connections? Assuming that is not the problem, I would jump start it again and DRIVE it. Don't just let it idle. If your battery was really dead, it may not fully charge until it has been driven at "normal" speeds for a while. Hook the meter up and drive it 10 miles or so on the highway where grid lock is not a problem. Have a passenger read the meter while you drive. If the voltage continually drops while you are drive above 45 MPH, you most likely have a bad alternator/regulator.

If the alternator's fairly new, you should be able to take it back on warranty. If a shop put it in for you, then I'd go back to them and see what they have to say. If you put it in yourself, the parts store may carry a one year warranty on it.