Dash warning lights!!!--HELP!!!

mhl0125 · #1 10-17-2005, 10:59 AM

My car was dead this morning. I jump started her with jumper cables. Now I know why it went dead. The dash warning lights stay on all of the time. There is no other signal like the power light flashing or anything. Also, when I shut off the ignition, the car will usually keep running for a few seconds. None of this ever happend before. Any help is apreciated.

Electrophil · #2 10-17-2005, 11:21 AM

If the dash warning lights come on, and stay on, then you have an alternator problem. Either it's not charging, or it's built in regulator has went out.

It requires immediate attention, for if it's the regulator, you may be overcharging your system. This could result in you owning a nicely maintained parts car.

mhl0125 · #3 10-17-2005, 11:41 AM

Thanks. The dealer put in a new alternator several months ago, but it was only about 1000 miles ago. I paid around $500 for it. I am going to go and have a talk with the Subaru Dealer.

mhl0125 · #4 10-17-2005, 01:47 PM

Ley meclarify something...none of the warning lights are lit when the motor is running...only when you shut off the ignition. Is this still the alternator?

Earthworm · #5 10-17-2005, 02:59 PM

I'm thinking more along the lines of a short. You may want to start pulling fuses until the lights go out. This will help you locate the offensive circuit.

Electrophil · #6 10-17-2005, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhl0125

Ley meclarify something...none of the warning lights are lit when the motor is running...only when you shut off the ignition. Is this still the alternator?

No.... Not if they aren't on when it's running.

Electrophil · #7 10-17-2005, 03:10 PM

If the key is on, and the motor isn't running, all the lights are suppose to be on. Are you saying they stay on with the key in the off position?

mhl0125 · #8 10-17-2005, 04:49 PM

Yes..after I shut down the motor and take the key out of the ignition, all of the warning ligts stay on. Eventually the battery drains down again.

kuoh · #9 10-17-2005, 07:51 PM

Sounds like there is a problem with the ignition switch. The warning lighs only turn on when the control modules are receiving power, which shouldn't happen with the ignition in the off position. This is probably the same reason the engine continues to run even after you turn the ignition off and remove the keys. Try starting the car, then disconnecting the ignition switch harness under the steering column and see if the engine dies immediately and no warning lights illuminate.

KuoH

Earthworm · #10 10-19-2005, 12:16 PM

Then why does it eventually stop? I think the fuel pump gets shut off and the car eventually runs out of gas indicating the switch is working.

I think there's either a short sending power back to the ignition or maybe even a bad ground?

kuoh · #11 10-19-2005, 07:35 PM

Well if everything else is on, then why does the fuel pump get shut off? You can guess all you want, but disconnecting the ignition switch harness would be a definitive way to eliminate at least one culprit, plus you can probe the harness contacts with a meter to be double sure. No one else has reported this type of behavior as far as I can recall, even back in the Yahoo days.

KuoH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earthworm

Then why does it eventually stop? I think the fuel pump gets shut off and the car eventually runs out of gas indicating the switch is working.

#12 10-24-2005, 05:20 PM

I have a question for you? Is your ignition loose, (can you move it around inside of the a steering column??)

mhl0125 · #13 10-24-2005, 05:46 PM

Yes, when I put the key in, there is a fair amount of play with the ignition switch.
Let me give you a little update. We had eight days of rain and about 10" of rain. The car sat during most of that. When I opened it, the front and rear floors on the driver's sie were soaked. Either the window was slightly opened or one of those drains is plugged up. That's when it all started. Everytime I shut off the motor it would keep running and the warning lights stayed lit. However, things like the radio, wipers, etc would all shut down. The electricity was cutting off, but not the motor.
After having many days to dry out, the problem has abated somewhat. Many times it will shut down correctly. If it doesn't, I turn it on and off a few times and it will shut down or put it in reverse to shut it down.
However, now it is outside in the rain again and we are expecting 3" from the storm. i don't know if the water is causing a short or it is the ignition.

#14 10-24-2005, 05:55 PM

My ignition was really loose one day and the bolt that held it in place broke. That made it to where the car wouldnt even try to to start, Put a new bolt in and then it worked. I think you may be havning some shorting issues...Try tightening that bolt otherwise it may break also... I cant see the floor getting wet causing this problem.

mhl0125 · #15 10-24-2005, 05:58 PM

What do I have to remove to get to the bolt holding the ignition switch in place?