Outback electrical problem

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I have a 2001 Outback Wagon with 57k miles on it. The battery
is about a year old.

This morning, I got in the car and the clock/odometer were fine
(displaying). When I turned the key, everything died, including the
clock/odometer/map lights.

I tried to jump it with my wife's car, but even after connecting
the battery and running her car, I had no power to the lights and clock
(nor could I start it).

I disconnected the battery, cleaned the terminals, and
re-attached it. This time the car started fine, I ran it for a minute
or two and turned it off.

Left to grab my wallet and when I came back and attempted to
start it again, same problem, all electrical systems died and the car
did not start (nor did it crank).

Am I "resetting" something by disconnecting the battery? Has
anyone see thins symptom before and do you have any suggestions for a
fix?

Thanks for any assistance!

Have the battery and charging system 'tested' with a load box. Autozone
will usually do that at no charge(no pun intended). You may have a
starter that is going bad or a weak battery. Wouldn't hurt to examine
the battery cables at BOTH ends.

Carl

 

[Matt Fischer]

I have a 2001 Outback Wagon with 57k miles on it. The battery
is about a year old.

This morning, I got in the car and the clock/odometer were fine
(displaying). When I turned the key, everything died, including the
clock/odometer/map lights.

I tried to jump it with my wife's car, but even after connecting
the battery and running her car, I had no power to the lights and clock
(nor could I start it).

I disconnected the battery, cleaned the terminals, and
re-attached it. This time the car started fine, I ran it for a minute
or two and turned it off.

Left to grab my wallet and when I came back and attempted to
start it again, same problem, all electrical systems died and the car
did not start (nor did it crank).

Am I "resetting" something by disconnecting the battery? Has
anyone see thins symptom before and do you have any suggestions for a
fix?

Thanks for any assistance!

 

[Remco]

I have a 2001 Outback Wagon with 57k miles on it. The battery
is about a year old.

This morning, I got in the car and the clock/odometer were fine
(displaying). When I turned the key, everything died, including the
clock/odometer/map lights.

I tried to jump it with my wife's car, but even after connecting
the battery and running her car, I had no power to the lights and clock
(nor could I start it).

I disconnected the battery, cleaned the terminals, and
re-attached it. This time the car started fine, I ran it for a minute
or two and turned it off.

Left to grab my wallet and when I came back and attempted to
start it again, same problem, all electrical systems died and the car
did not start (nor did it crank).

Am I "resetting" something by disconnecting the battery? Has
anyone see thins symptom before and do you have any suggestions for a
fix?

Thanks for any assistance!

Next time you jump it, try hooking the negative to the engine's body
(find a beefy part to hook it to). If it now starts, your ground
connection is having a problem somewhere (could be battery to frame or
frame to engine).

Remco

 

[dnoyeB]

I have a 2001 Outback Wagon with 57k miles on it. The battery
is about a year old.

This morning, I got in the car and the clock/odometer were fine
(displaying). When I turned the key, everything died, including the
clock/odometer/map lights.

I tried to jump it with my wife's car, but even after connecting
the battery and running her car, I had no power to the lights and clock
(nor could I start it).

I disconnected the battery, cleaned the terminals, and
re-attached it. This time the car started fine, I ran it for a minute
or two and turned it off.

Left to grab my wallet and when I came back and attempted to
start it again, same problem, all electrical systems died and the car
did not start (nor did it crank).

Am I "resetting" something by disconnecting the battery? Has
anyone see thins symptom before and do you have any suggestions for a
fix?

Thanks for any assistance!

Sounds like yoru jump technique is poor. Also try buying a battery
charger and doing an all night trickle charge.

--
Thank you,



"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16