Intermittent Electrical Problems

Headlights to tailights and everything in between.

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El Kahone
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Intermittent Electrical Problems

Post by El Kahone »

Hi!

I've been having some (presumably) electrical problems with my '91 Legacy LSi. For some time, It's been idling strangely, chigging and sounding like it wants to die almost every time I stop. Last week, I had to replace a headlight, and a few days ago, my dashboard lights went out. Since then, sometimes my dash lights come on all the way, sometimes they are very dim, and sometimes, they are completely dark. It doesn't seem to make any difference if the headlights are on or not. Finally, this morning, my taillights didn't come on. (It should be noted that it's been about 18 degrees Farenheit since last night, with quite a bit of snow.) I've had the wiring checked by a mechanic and he couldn't find anything wrong. There wasn't time to check anything else, so I'm posting here to see if anyone has any ideas.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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El Kahone
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Post by El Kahone »

Almost forgot -- My automatic mirrors also only function intermittently, and have been for some time.
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Manarius
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Post by Manarius »

Alternator been replaced recently? Sounds like you're not getting enough juice.
Manarius wrote:The Neo-Cons would call me a defeatist. I'd call me a realist. I'm realistically saying that a snowball has better chances in the blazes of hell than democracy has in Iraq.
1995 Polo Green Subaru SVX (189k miles - 08/2007-Present)
El Kahone
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Post by El Kahone »

No, it hasn't. I guess I'll try that next, unless anyone's got a better idea. Thanks.
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Manarius
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Post by Manarius »

Make sure all your belts and connections are tight as well.
Manarius wrote:The Neo-Cons would call me a defeatist. I'd call me a realist. I'm realistically saying that a snowball has better chances in the blazes of hell than democracy has in Iraq.
1995 Polo Green Subaru SVX (189k miles - 08/2007-Present)
Legacy777
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Post by Legacy777 »

I'd suspect alternator as well.

Take it to autozone or a similar autoparts store and let them test it. They should be able to test it on the car.
Josh

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1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
IronMonkeyL255
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Post by IronMonkeyL255 »

But the on-car tests aren't always accurate. I had 2 autozones and one advance auto tell me mine was good when I was having issues.

If you know of a local alternator/starter specialist shop, I would recommend bringing it in for them to bench test.
Disclaimer: If anything I post is inaccurate, please correct me. I do not wish to add to the misinformation floating around on the internet.

That being said, everything I post is accurate to the best of my knowledge.

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Legacy777
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Post by Legacy777 »

IronMonkeyL255 wrote:But the on-car tests aren't always accurate. I had 2 autozones and one advance auto tell me mine was good when I was having issues.

If you know of a local alternator/starter specialist shop, I would recommend bringing it in for them to bench test.
Agreed. The on-car tests don't always come back correctly. I had that happen as well, but it's a good start.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
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