98 Legacy Outback Electrical

[birder]

Just replaced the alternator and the battery is fine.

Problem: The hazard lights and the dash will be gin to flash on and off
for no particular reason. even after the car is turned off. Had to
disconnect the battery to stop the activity. Any ideas/help would be
appreciated.

Thank you

 

[mulder]

Just replaced the alternator and the battery is fine.

Problem: The hazard lights and the dash will be gin to flash on and off
for no particular reason. even after the car is turned off. Had to
disconnect the battery to stop the activity. Any ideas/help would be
appreciated.

Thank you

Probably not the hazard lights but the parking lights. The keyless
entry will power up in the "panic" mode when the battery is
disconnected and reconnected, it sounds like that is what is
happening. To cancel it you either need to hit the unlock button on
the remote or use the bypass/valet switch that should be under the
dash someplace. This has been posted previously a few times, you can
search for older posts on the topic for more detailed information.

 

[birder]

Probably not the hazard lights but the parking lights. The keyless
entry will power up in the "panic" mode when the battery is
disconnected and reconnected, it sounds like that is what is
happening. To cancel it you either need to hit the unlock button on
the remote or use the bypass/valet switch that should be under the
dash someplace. This has been posted previously a few times, you can
search for older posts on the topic for more detailed information.

When we bought the car used, it did not come with a wireless remote.
Does anyone know where this bypass/valet switch could be or what it even
looks like.

Thank you

 

[Bill Pelka]

The switch is located on the left side of the wheel. It is under the dash
and located just below the hood latch release...

A while back I read a post that talked about a button right over top of the
eng hood release. Hard to explain but the guy with the problem did find it.
I also recall that there was some info in the owners manual. That's about
all I can add...

Bill

But are you sure? I know that on some recent models (my WRX for
instance) the keyless entry is standard and the alarm is an option.
Even without the alarm there is still a panic function built into the
keyless and it will probably activate when the battery is
disconnected/reconnected.
Could it be that you do in fact have keyless but just never got the
remotes with the car?

 

[birder]

The switch is located on the left side of the wheel. It is under the dash
and located just below the hood latch release...

A while back I read a post that talked about a button right over top of the
eng hood release. Hard to explain but the guy with the problem did find it.
I also recall that there was some info in the owners manual. That's about
all I can add...

Bill

Well they think they found the button. Held it for 15 seconds but the
problem is still going on. Is there something else we should be doing?

Thank you

 

[birder]

Well they think they found the button. Held it for 15 seconds but the
problem is still going on. Is there something else we should be doing?

Thank you

Hey It WORKED. At first we didn't have the motor on so there was no
results. We then put the key and turned on the engine and then used the
switch.

Thanks to all.

 

[mulder]

Hey It WORKED. At first we didn't have the motor on so there was no
results. We then put the key and turned on the engine and then used the
switch.

Thanks to all.

Yep the key has to be in the ignition, otherwise anyone could use the
bypass button. The engine doesn't have to be running though, just
turning the key to the run position is sufficient.
Anyway glad you got it figured out.