2000 outback wagon dead battery

[fotoman]

three times I have gone to use my car, and the battery is totally
drained. Usually after sitting idle for awhile. could be the door not
closed properly, rear latch not closed properly, interior light then
remaining on? or...security system (added with remote starter)
draining the battery?.
If its the first , could I get some sort of relay to turn the interior
lights off after five minutes?..
I have heard of others with this problem, they usually get rid of the
car, as the dealer can not
track it down...anybody else have the problem?

I do charge the battery up for two days and all well again for awhile.
Rod

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

three times I have gone to use my car, and the battery is totally
drained. Usually after sitting idle for awhile. could be the door not
closed properly, rear latch not closed properly, interior light then
remaining on? or...security system (added with remote starter)
draining the battery?.
If its the first , could I get some sort of relay to turn the interior
lights off after five minutes?..
I have heard of others with this problem, they usually get rid of the
car, as the dealer can not
track it down...anybody else have the problem?

I do charge the battery up for two days and all well again for awhile.
Rod

Maybe use an ammeter at the battery and pull fuses until there's
significant drop?

Carl

 

[hippo]

three times I have gone to use my car, and the battery is totally
drained. Usually after sitting idle for awhile. could be the door not
closed properly, rear latch not closed properly, interior light then
remaining on? or...security system (added with remote starter)
draining the battery?.

If its the first , could I get some sort of >relay to turn the interior
lights off after five minutes?..

I have heard of others with this problem, they usually get rid of the
car, as the dealer can not
track it down...anybody else have the problem?

Simplest first, just in case...
Have you checked that the parking light switch on the top of the steering
column shroud is turned *off*? Everyone else who owns a Subie has probably
been cught out by that one at least once over the years - especially when
it's so easy to inadvertently knock it on while detailing the interior ...
Cheers
I do charge the battery up for two days and all well again for awhile.
Rod

 

[John]

three times I have gone to use my car, and the battery is totally
drained. Usually after sitting idle for awhile. could be the door not
closed properly, rear latch not closed properly, interior light then
remaining on? or...security system (added with remote starter)
draining the battery?.

Quite possible, especially if not dealer installed thought that doesn't
always matter. Try disabling the system and leave it off for a while (if
circumstances permit) and see if that helps

Do you leave anything plugged in the power outlets?
How old is the battery?

 

[Tony Hwang]

three times I have gone to use my car, and the battery is totally
drained. Usually after sitting idle for awhile. could be the door not
closed properly, rear latch not closed properly, interior light then
remaining on? or...security system (added with remote starter)
draining the battery?.
If its the first , could I get some sort of relay to turn the interior
lights off after five minutes?..
I have heard of others with this problem, they usually get rid of the
car, as the dealer can not
track it down...anybody else have the problem?

I do charge the battery up for two days and all well again for awhile.
Rod

Hi,
How old is the battery? And there could be a phantom current draw for
some reason. Only thing drawing very small amount of current is dash
clock. With everything turned off, remove battery + cable and put a
small 12V bulb in series. If bulb burns bright, something is drawing
current when it supposes not. You have to find the culprit.

 

[Red rider]

After i tried everything to find a parasitic electrical drain on my second car, I solved the problem for about 5 bucks.
Bought a battery disconnect switch (knife blade style) from Amazon and installed on ground post of battery. For the effort of raising hood and disconnecting / reconnecting battery each day it's driven, I have dependable start 'n go.
Kept the several hundred dollars for a "maybe" (not guaranteed) diagnostic check. Theft/ vandalism protection free.

On my primary ride, 2001 Legacy with 76K correct miles, I replaced the undersized standard battery with a larger
deep cycle marine battery. Same battery group (I think it's 24) but a LOT more reserve/recovery power. Also, a standard car battery, after being fully discharged by flashers left on, dome light, Etc will NOT recharge to full power.
Deep cycle marine WILL take a full charge. Also has reserve to last all night with dome light or ? left on, and still start the car in the morning. I found an Advance Auto Parts store near a big lake. They stock dozens of deep cycle
marine's for recreational boaters. I paid 88 dollars to exchange my "core," an Interstate 5 year car battery on the way out at 3 years, for the new larger deep cycle marine! Had to modify battery rack under hood, since new battery is 1 inch taller and 3 inches longer. Don't forget to re-install that black plastic heat shield. Original battery hold down fits fine. Bonus surprise, I get more FM radio stations now, and lights throughout the car are slightly brighter. Factory starter and alternator handle the bigger battery (weighs 14 pounds more than old one; a good easy measure of internal battery plate size) just fine.
Best change I've made on this Legacy, besides bolting on nice, wider aluminum wheels from a '96 Chrysler Cirrus Lxi, to cure the undersize factory tires. Disc brake clearance and wheel setback are both fine; just buy new stud nuts

 

[Duboisly]

What did you find?
I have a 2016 legacy 2.5 limited fo this model year is nearly the same as an outback.
I have the same type of issue. As of 2021 I've replaced 3 batteries and about to put my 4th in. I did a drain check and on Fuse 9 under hood/main fuse box i get 0.6 amp drain then when i pull the fuse it drops to 0.06 amps. This feeds the data communication module / dcm. I haven't troubleshot it more from there.
Also has anyone changed out a DCM, how tough is it? Per the manual it looks like you have to pair the unit to the car, can that be done by a DIY person?