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#1
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So I was driving back to campus last night....
I was doing the weekly grocery run late last night and noticed the car felt a little warmer than usual. Looking down I saw my panel had lit up like a christmas tree; the steering, battery, brake and brakelight panel illuminated.
Pulled over and checked the engine bay but it was late at night and I couldn't see anything amiss,- belts were fine(but it was late at night, couldn't really see anything anyways). I was about 5 minutes from home so I decided to nurse her back. Played with all the electrics on the way back and they seemed to work but turning off the lights seemed to cause a strange squeel/vibration from the left part of the dash although I couldn't replicate this by turning them on and off again. Every other system seemed to work, no probs with steering and braking although the abs light did come on once or twice too on the way back. A/C worked but again turning it on for the 1st time made a funny noise that couldn't be replicated by turning it off and back on again. No issues starting it today but still the steering, battery, brake and brakelight panels were illuminated. Kinda reminds me of when the alternator in my old 1984 crown vic gave out (awesome first car btw) but here on campus I really don't have much in the way of tools or time for that matter too (they tend to keep us busy in medical school) so I will probably have to take it in to a shop but opinions and ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! PS. anyone know of a decent place close to UBC, Canada?
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1994 Subaru SVX LSi Pearlie 123,000 Km |
#2
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Re: So I was driving back to campus last night....
pull on the belts
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"Some work occaisionally is fine, but I bought the car for the road, not for the garage. " BoxerFanatic click here for fuelly mpg info |
#3
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Re: So I was driving back to campus last night....
Quote:
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1992 LSL ebony pearl 170k - Thank you Ron Mummert Reading Box of Wine Car ----------------------------------- 1992 SVX LSL 5-Speed Sold at 180K 2019 1995 SVX Lsi Polo Sold at 118K 2007 |
#4
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Re: So I was driving back to campus last night....
Awh the dreaded christmas lights of our dash. Definitely electrical chargeing problem---either bad alt, bad belts or loose conection on batt or starter.
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#5
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Re: So I was driving back to campus last night....
Theyre going to charge you upwards of $60, probably quite a bit more, to do something you can do in 10 minutes. You can even just get a cheap multimeter and check the voltage the alternator is putting out while the car is running. Whos going to care for your wallet or your car better than yourself?
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#6
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Re: So I was driving back to campus last night....
BUT, IF the alternator is DISCONNECTED, then NO lights come on!
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"Some work occaisionally is fine, but I bought the car for the road, not for the garage. " BoxerFanatic click here for fuelly mpg info |
#7
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Re: So I was driving back to campus last night....
thanks for all your responses, the belts are good and tight so I guess its probably the alt then...and if it is that easy to switch out then maybe I can cobble together enough tools to do it. Does the alternator usually affect any other electrics when it goes? Anyone know off hand exactly what you need to take the guard off, loosen the belt and take it out? I am not the most knowledgeable when it comes to mechanics but I do want to learn and the alternator is pretty really accessable. Thanks again.
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1994 Subaru SVX LSi Pearlie 123,000 Km |
#8
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Re: So I was driving back to campus last night....
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So, a 10mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm wrench or sockets with extensions, and a small pair of pliers or small wrench for the main alternator positive lead. I think I remembered everything correctly, if not im sure someone else will chime in and help....the alternator is so easy a caveman could do it. But if i were you id borrow or buy a cheap multimeter to check the output voltage first... theyre only like 10 bucks for a simple one.... |
#9
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Re: So I was driving back to campus last night....
You mentioned a "squeal," then a "funny noise" when turning on the AC. Before you ditch the alternator, be sure the crankshaft pulley isn't coming apart. I'll bet that's your problem.
dcb |
#10
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Re: So I was driving back to campus last night....
Could also be a bad crank pulley....
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Huck Subaru Ambassador 92 SVX LS-Tour Magnaflow Exhaust, 5-Spd-AWD 88 XT6 AWD 5-Speed "Bride of FrankenWedge" 15 Impreza Premium Sedan 15 Crosstrek XV 5-Speed My 5-Speed "How-To" Write-up 1976 Pontiac Firebird Formula Current Count of Subaru's Owned.... "70" |
#11
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Re: So I was driving back to campus last night....
AND also check out the big wires to the alt, I had 2 of them grouding out on mine when I 1st got her and the christmas decorations lit up, hope this helps..........G
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I thimk ther4 I an, what? huh! 03 Baja. 05 Baja turbo 92legacywagon"snow" 94legacywagon"whinny" 84Brat"huey" 92svx"samantha".pearl 92svx"sabastian"4.44 silver 92svx"sabrina".ebony 05legacy gt limited "Moon" blue. 06 Subaru legacy gt limited. |
#12
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Re: So I was driving back to campus last night....
I wouldn't worry too much about the crank pulley till you deal with the alternator...
That was a very expensive mess up... |
#13
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Re: So I was driving back to campus last night....
A good possibility... I would think though that since he mentioned his power steering was fine that the pulley is holding together ok. If anything is going to kill a failing crank pulley, its the accessory that puts the biggest torque load on the pulley.
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#14
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Re: So I was driving back to campus last night....
Edit: Double post.... stupid internet
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#15
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Re: So I was driving back to campus last night....
If it is his crank pulley, then his alternator is probably fine....so check the pulley first, it costs nothing to check....just put a mark across the whole face of the pulley, start it up and run it untill you hear the squeal, then shut it off and see if the inner and outer sections of the pulley stayed lined up via the mark you made...if not you need a new pulley.
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Huck Subaru Ambassador 92 SVX LS-Tour Magnaflow Exhaust, 5-Spd-AWD 88 XT6 AWD 5-Speed "Bride of FrankenWedge" 15 Impreza Premium Sedan 15 Crosstrek XV 5-Speed My 5-Speed "How-To" Write-up 1976 Pontiac Firebird Formula Current Count of Subaru's Owned.... "70" |
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