legacycentral bbs

For the last year, noticed that my light were dimming slightly while idling. Then lately, all my electrical such as wipers would slow down as I would slow down as well.

Today, my radio turned off as my rpm went down, and back on as my rpm went up while idle or running.

Turned my car off, and it would not start again.

My battery is exactly 1 year old (a 5 year warranty one).

AM I correct in assuming time for a new alternator ?

BTW,

93 Legacy 4WD wagon, 5 speed, no air.

Thanks

JF

Yeah, your battery is probably dead because your alternator is shot.

I currenty have the same problem, at the end of a motorway when the car went back to normal idle the car stereo turned off and then idled irractically, I used a portable battery to restart the car but as soon as it was disconnected the car would die. Had to get the car towed hom so have yet to get around to finding the problem, My guess is it the alternator either though the charge light di not turn ON, waiting for shops to open again to tests battery as its only 6moths old with a 2 year warrentee.

Has anyone confirmed this would be the alternator, is it the diode packs or bushes??

Cheers Dimi,
New Zealand

Even if it was the diode packs or bushes those are integral with the alternator, and I don't think Subaru alternators can be rebuilt. I may be wrong, but either way a new or reman one would be less trouble, especially if you spring for one with a lifetime warranty or something like that.

You'll want to have the battery checked/replaced when you do the alternator or you can fry the new alternator. The ground mod might helpful too.