Subaru Loyale Charging Problem

[rudyeb]

I have a 1990 Loyale with 28,000 original miles that belonged to my wifes
uncle. Car runs fine except for this one electrical problem; I was driving
the car a few nights ago and had the headlights on, heater on and the radio
on as I drove uphill the car starts to buck and slow down to a crawl. I
turned off the lights, heater and radio and used the 4 way flashers. Slowly
but surely I was able to buck my way up the hill and then I was able to
drive it downhill to my home. I noted that once I was level, the turbo
turned off which is normal and the car started to run fine.
Previously the dealer replaced the alternator and the car runs fine during
the day.
Has anyone experienced this problem or have any idea what the problem is?
Subaru seems a bit miffed and I would like to get this straightened out as
this car is for my son.
Many thanks,
Rudy (e-mail address removed)

 

[Rick Courtright]

Previously the dealer replaced the alternator and the car runs fine during

Hi,

What's the condition of the battery? With that few miles, even if it's
relatively new, it may not be takng a charge properly. Try trickle
charging it overnight if you can. Also, see Edward Hayes recommendations
on cleaning all the connections in the "OT-Bad Alternator?" thread.
Might be some corrosion in there somewhere: you could be getting enough
(barely) juice thru the system during the day, but when you add some
load at night, it becomes no go.

Good luck,

Rick

 

[tomcas]

That does not sound like an electrical problem, at least not one that was
due to the battery not charging. When a car runs low on current sufficient
enough to drive the ignition and you turn off the lights you will feel and
immediate surge and restoration of power. That does not fit your case where
you continued to buck your way up the hill. It sounds like any effect you
saw was the slight reduction in electrical load and consequently slightly
more available horsepower although it was only a couple of horsepower. It
could be anything from a dirty fuel filter to who knows what.