97 Outback electrical problem

[ker]

97 Legacy Outback 102K. Problem just started. When I start the car
everything is OK. I get up to highway speed altenator and brake light
start blinking. Few miles later, speedometer and tack start flopping and
go to zero. Car drives ok unless I try to go to fast. Check engine light
is on because no signal from speedometer and tach. Drives ok if I take it
easy, if not starts surging, etc probably because ECM is not getting speed
signal. I drop down to 25 mph and speedo & tack come on every thing is ok.
Same thing happens every time. I have tried cleaning several grounds and
connections. It is like a connection or ground is heating up except for
problem goes away under 30 mph.

 

[David Ryeburn]

97 Legacy Outback 102K. Problem just started. When I start the car
everything is OK. I get up to highway speed altenator and brake light
start blinking. Few miles later, speedometer and tack start flopping and
go to zero. Car drives ok unless I try to go to fast. Check engine light
is on because no signal from speedometer and tach. Drives ok if I take it
easy, if not starts surging, etc probably because ECM is not getting speed
signal. I drop down to 25 mph and speedo & tack come on every thing is ok.
Same thing happens every time. I have tried cleaning several grounds and
connections. It is like a connection or ground is heating up except for
problem goes away under 30 mph.

The problem will come back, even at slow speeds. You've got the famous
1997 Outback alternator problem. Subaru USA acknowledged this problem
back about 2000, and Subaru Canada acknowledged it about a year later.
The cure is a new alternator. Mine went out in Spring 2000, miles from
nowhere on US 395 in the desert in California. I nursed the car into the
only town within about 50 miles successfully, and luckily the local
mechanic there was competent. Five hours later the replacement
alternator, which had to be shipped in by truck from a larger town to
the north, arrived and soon I was on my way. A year later when Subaru
Canada finally agreed that the Indiana-built Canadian Outbacks were no
different from the Indiana-built US ones in this respect, I got repaid
for the thing. But not for the battery that it took with it.

The original alternator lasted just over 100,000 km. The replacement
alternator (not a Subaru one) has behaved itself for over 160,000 km.

At slow engine speeds, measure the battery voltage. It should be around
13 volts. As you rev up the engine, the voltage across the battery will
*drop* instead of hold steady or increase, if my guess about your
alternator is correct. I think the problem is actually a failing diode,
and that's why it takes the battery with it. If this is your problem,
fix it soon before you, too, have to buy a new battery as well.

David

 

[Rowan Malin]

The problem will come back, even at slow speeds. You've got the famous
1997 Outback alternator problem. Subaru USA acknowledged this problem
back about 2000, and Subaru Canada acknowledged it about a year later.
The cure is a new alternator. Mine went out in Spring 2000, miles from
nowhere on US 395 in the desert in California. I nursed the car into the
only town within about 50 miles successfully, and luckily the local
mechanic there was competent. Five hours later the replacement
alternator, which had to be shipped in by truck from a larger town to
the north, arrived and soon I was on my way. A year later when Subaru
Canada finally agreed that the Indiana-built Canadian Outbacks were no
different from the Indiana-built US ones in this respect, I got repaid
for the thing. But not for the battery that it took with it.

The original alternator lasted just over 100,000 km. The replacement
alternator (not a Subaru one) has behaved itself for over 160,000 km.

At slow engine speeds, measure the battery voltage. It should be around
13 volts. As you rev up the engine, the voltage across the battery will
*drop* instead of hold steady or increase, if my guess about your
alternator is correct. I think the problem is actually a failing diode,
and that's why it takes the battery with it. If this is your problem,
fix it soon before you, too, have to buy a new battery as well.

David

The same thing happened to me in my '98 Outback about a year ago. The car
died with the same strange symptons. Fortunately, I was just driving into my
home town and the tow truck just had to take it around the corner. Since it
was way out of warranty, and I had over 100,000 miles on the clock, I just
assumed that the alternator (and, as you say, battery) had gone, and paid
for the replacements (>$200 US). Is this really a known defect? Do I have
any comeback for the alternator and/or battery with Subaru?

(Not hoping very much, but you never know!)

Cheers,
Rowan

 

[David Ryeburn]

The same thing happened to me in my '98 Outback about a year ago. The car
died with the same strange symptons. Fortunately, I was just driving into my
home town and the tow truck just had to take it around the corner. Since it
was way out of warranty, and I had over 100,000 miles on the clock, I just
assumed that the alternator (and, as you say, battery) had gone, and paid
for the replacements (>$200 US). Is this really a known defect? Do I have
any comeback for the alternator and/or battery with Subaru?

(Not hoping very much, but you never know!)

Talk to your Subaru dealer, if you've kept the bills (I keep all such
bills forever, fortunately). The worst they can say is "No."

David

 

[Rowan Malin]

Talk to your Subaru dealer, if you've kept the bills (I keep all such
bills forever, fortunately). The worst they can say is "No."

David

1998 US Outback Wagon LTD

Yes, I've kept all of the bills, but, to be honest, I haven't spoken to my
Subaru dealer in 5 years. They gave such bad service, at such exorbitant
prices, that I gave them up after the first year. From what I read on this
newsgroup, this isn't an isolated incidence. It seems to me that they're in
the business to sell cars, and any maintenance work they can get on top of
that is just gravy from the ignorant few who think they don't have any
alternative. If (probably when) I buy another Subaru, it will definitely not
be from them. Unfortunately, it seems that there are just too many car
dealers out there who are able to get away with not caring for repeat
business.

Since this is a Subaru group, please let me say that this is by no means a
criticism of the car! I love mine and will almost certainly buy another,
just not from the same dealer!

My local mechanic, although not cheap ($80/hour labor) is at least honest
and gives me an itemized bill. He also charges reasonable prices for
authentic parts and is interested in showing me what he's done. I don't get
the impression that he's just there to make money; he genuinely seems to
take a care in what he's doing. He has done many small things (like bleeding
the clutch hydraulics, checking tire pressures, filling various fluids)
without any charge to me, and just seems to want to keep my car on the road,
and me happy. So far, I can't complain.

Cheers,
Rowan

 

[David Ryeburn]

1998 US Outback Wagon LTD

Yes, I've kept all of the bills, but, to be honest, I haven't spoken to my
Subaru dealer in 5 years. They gave such bad service, at such exorbitant
prices, that I gave them up after the first year. From what I read on this
newsgroup, this isn't an isolated incidence. It seems to me that they're in
the business to sell cars, and any maintenance work they can get on top of
that is just gravy from the ignorant few who think they don't have any
alternative. If (probably when) I buy another Subaru, it will definitely not
be from them. Unfortunately, it seems that there are just too many car
dealers out there who are able to get away with not caring for repeat
business.

Since this is a Subaru group, please let me say that this is by no means a
criticism of the car! I love mine and will almost certainly buy another,
just not from the same dealer!

My local mechanic, although not cheap ($80/hour labor) is at least honest
and gives me an itemized bill. He also charges reasonable prices for
authentic parts and is interested in showing me what he's done. I don't get
the impression that he's just there to make money; he genuinely seems to
take a care in what he's doing. He has done many small things (like bleeding
the clutch hydraulics, checking tire pressures, filling various fluids)
without any charge to me, and just seems to want to keep my car on the road,
and me happy. So far, I can't complain.

Sounds as if you have a good local mechanic. But I doubt he'll be able
to get Subaru to pay for your alternator. The local Subaru dealer might
be able to do that. It's worth a try.

David, whose local Subaru dealer is excellent

 

[jimuntch]

There was a recall for alternators on 97 Subaru Outbacks...I got mine
replaced for free probably 3 or 4 years ago...good luck...jim

 

[ker]

David,
Thanks for the info. I am going by after work to pick up an alternator
($126).

 

[jimuntch]

Why are you paying $126...is Subaru refusing to honor their recall?

 

[Gregory]

I have a 1997 Subaru Legacy. My alternator went out in 2001 and I had it
replaced by my favorite (non-Subaru) mechanic. I found out later about the
recall - there really is one - and contacted Subaru of America. They asked
me to send the itemized receipt, which I did, and they gave me a full refund
for parts and labor. Piece of cake and painless. I never go to my local
Subaru dealer, who seems intent on lightening my wallet. But Subaru of
America is quite helpful.

 

[ker]

As I stated, I had 102K+ on th car. I also had to leave on a trip after
work Friday. I picked up the alt 30 min. Installed it 30 min. and was on
my way with 1 hr delay. It fixed the problem. If I had the time, I might
have tried Subaru for the recall, but most of the threads said that it
didn't look like they would pay for anything after 100K

 

[jimuntch]

You're welcome for my free advice! Now how about sending me your receipt
and vin number, so I can get a free refund of $126...Oh, by the way, I did a
google search for alt.autos.subaru 97Outback alternator recall, and there is
not one word about not honoring recalls for cars over 100K miles...later
dude...jim

 

[Mike Cook]

You're welcome for my free advice! Now how about sending me your receipt
and vin number, so I can get a free refund of $126...Oh, by the way, I did a
google search for alt.autos.subaru 97Outback alternator recall, and there is
not one word about not honoring recalls for cars over 100K miles...later
dude...jim

Does anyone know if this recall is just '97? I have a '99 OBW.

 

[Jim Untch]

did there
Does anyone know if this recall is just '97? I have a '99 OBW.

Hi Mike: I don't know if the 99's were included or not...they're not listed
on the Nhtsa website (
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/results.cfm ), but
neither is the 97 Outback. msn.auto has the 97 Outback alternator recall
with NHTSA Campaign Number: 00I002000 and phone #18007822783 (for Subaru).
If enough people have called, and complained, maybe they'll issue a
recall...good luck...jim