Alternator??

[STEVIE SCOOBY DEE]

Hi Guys,

When i leave my '1, idle for say 2 days or more and then go to drive it
i have to jump it - as it is dead
I replaced the battery thinking it was that but it aint.

My old man reckons its the alternator?
If it is the alternator - is it best to get a subaru dealership to to fix it?
My old man is a mechanic - just unsure if there is anything subaru would have to do technical wise that my old man aint aware of.

Any help is much appreciated

[marky mark]

Hi Guys,

When i leave my '1, idle for say 2 days or more and then go to drive it
i have to jump it - as it is dead
I replaced the battery thinking it was that but it aint.

My old man reckons its the alternator?
If it is the alternator - is it best to get a subaru dealership to to fix it?
My old man is a mechanic - just unsure if there is anything subaru would have to do technical wise that my old man aint aware of.

Any help is much appreciated

If you are sure it is not the battery then check the obvious things.

Are you leaving anything on causing an overnight drain? do you have any non standard electrics like an uprated alarm / immobiliser that may be causing the problem?

If not, then it is most likely the alternator or associated wiring. Stick a multimeter across the battery terminals with the engine running at 1500 RPM plus. You should have at least 12.5V. If not, clean the earths up to ther battery and the alternator and try again.

If still no go, it is probably the alternator (but could be a faulty feed wire or the regulator / rectifier).

They are pretty easy to fit. remove the top cover, undo the 2 bolts holding it (one is the tensioner), slip the belt off then rotate it upwards and remove. Put the new one in reverse.

[SPIKE LIKE MIKE]

Apparently a common fault in WR1's if you take the car out and drive without the sidelights "apparently" the alternator does not "switch on/charge" the battery!!

Take it for a good drive with "sidelights at least" on - this should sort out the issue.

[Gee Wr1]

Its not just on Wr1's Spike it's all newage scoobs.

ps had to jump start mine the other day after it sitting for 2 weeks, have had the battery go flat quite a few times over the 3+ years of owning it, same used to happen on my old bugeye as i only tend to use the car at weekends.

[robwils]

I've heard that issue with side lights too, think dealer told me when he sold me the car, so I just leave em on all the time.

[WR 1mposter]

Newage have a weak alternator, Subaru know about, but they like the fact that customers will go and buy a new battery every 6 months from the stealers also

My local dealer said give it a good charge, because the alternator is not up to the job for the occasional drive, everyday driving is fine and you should get no probs. but before i was told I brought a new battery

Have'nt used our since last sunday and no doubt it will be flat as a pancake when I try

[WR1 Bro]

Our car is left for weeks on end and we never have this problem. I used to drive with sidelights but since having the Stereo and Defi I leave the lights off else the displays are too dim.

[hightower]

i find it hard to leave the wr1 on the drive for a few hours and not have the urge to go for a pint of milk on the other side of stirling

[WR1 Bro]

i find it hard to leave the wr1 on the drive for a few hours and not have the urge to go for a pint of milk on the other side of stirling

But aren't you trying to sell?

[STEVIE SCOOBY DEE]

Cheers for the info guys.

Marky Mark - My alarm/immobilser are all standard, checked my battery
that is ok too, gonna get the feed wire etc checked out.
Cheers for that.


Interesting one with the side lights - Gonna see if that makes any difference mine will be on at all times as well now.

On a similar note guys what is the best way to leave the the scoob if it is sitting for a number of days -
by that i mean so the pads don't stick to the discs? handbrake off & in gear? or is there nowt you can do to stop this? just that i have had this happen a couple of times.

I know in an ideal world driving the '1' everyday would solve this - but jobwise i can't.

Selling aint an option.

Thanks again guys

[WR 1mposter]

I leave our with the handbrake on and in gear, it's parked on a slope.

If the car has been out in the rain try pulling the handbrake up for a few rotations of the wheels, this will help dry the area and stop the pads from sticking as bad.

[Anders_WR1]

Our car is left for weeks on end and we never have this problem. I used to drive with sidelights but since having the Stereo and Defi I leave the lights off else the displays are too dim.

Bro, you can adjust the brightness on the defi's using the buttons on the control unit. Mine are set to full brightness

[SPIKE LIKE MIKE]

Our car is left for weeks on end and we never have this problem. I used to drive with sidelights but since having the Stereo and Defi I leave the lights off else the displays are too dim.

Bro, you can adjust the brightness on the defi's using the buttons on the control unit. Mine are set to full brightness

Like he says...."A bit dim"

[WR 1mposter]

Our car is left for weeks on end and we never have this problem. I used to drive with sidelights but since having the Stereo and Defi I leave the lights off else the displays are too dim.

Bro, you can adjust the brightness on the defi's using the buttons on the control unit. Mine are set to full brightness

Like he says...."A bit dim"

I found this out by mistake
Car returned from last work done for the defi to be on bright......thought they were broke

[chiroman]

The hand brake has own drums/shoes and doesn't activate pads, haven't had probs with pads sticking, I guess 320bhp should free them ok!