The Subaru SVX World Network   SVX Network Forums
Live Chat!
SVX or Subaru Links
Old Lockers
Photo Post
How-To Documents
Message Archive
SVX Shop Search
IRC users:

Go Back   The Subaru SVX World Network > SVX Main Forums > Technical Q & A

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-10-2006, 12:04 AM
intelisevil's Avatar
intelisevil intelisevil is offline
<<<Alcyone
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Sandy, OR
Posts: 832
Battery Died Twice . . . ?

On two occasions about one month apart, I've gone out to my '92 Ebony (completely stock). I press the remote, horn honks, interior lights turn on, doors unlock, I open door, get in, close door, put key in ignition, turn to on position, dash lights turn on, seat belts return to 'driving position', ALL power goes away.

The first time it happened, I had actually set the alarm so I was thinking that darn flashing LED on the dashboard had killed the battery . I got a jump start and was on my way. I hooked up the battery charger when I got home and no more problems until last night . . .

Exact same situation - I press the remote, etc. Except that the alarm had not been set .

I start hooking up the jumper cables and noticed the positive clamp was very loose on the terminal. I grabbed a wrench and tightened up the clamp and the car started right up.

Everyone, go out right now and tighten up your negative and positive battery cable clamps. If you have one of those nifty clamp/terminal cleaners or some emery cloth, clean them off first to get a nice new contact surface.

This might be an even better 'mod' than the alternator wiring mod.

Dan
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-10-2006, 12:38 AM
Trevor's Avatar
Trevor Trevor is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 5,223
Registered SVX
Yes, many appear to do the alternator mod rather than fixing simple faults.
__________________
Trevor, New Zealand.

As a child, on cold mornings I gladly stood in cowpats to warm my bare feet, but I detest bull$hit!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-11-2006, 03:13 PM
Mr. Pockets's Avatar
Mr. Pockets Mr. Pockets is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Champaign, IL
Posts: 6,916
Send a message via ICQ to Mr. Pockets
Registered SVX
I had the exact same thing happen to my MR2 a few weeks ago.
__________________


2005 RX-8 Grand Touring
2005 Outback
2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 wagon

END OF LINE
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-11-2006, 04:20 PM
AutoTchr AutoTchr is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Gresham, Oregon
Posts: 338
And to add to this, make sure your battery hold down is not a bungee cord! Any time the battery shifts you potentially loosen the terminals on your battery. I see this soooo much.
__________________
ASE Master and L1 cert. Discounted Repairs

I feel a lot more like I do now then I did before.

92 SVX 5spd, (sold),92 SVX Teal, 67 Mustang 351C 5spd, 00 Galant.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-11-2006, 06:41 PM
Trevor's Avatar
Trevor Trevor is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 5,223
Registered SVX
Quote:
Originally Posted by AutoTchr
And to add to this, make sure your battery hold down is not a bungee cord! Any time the battery shifts you potentially loosen the terminals on your battery. I see this soooo much.
Please be sure I am not trying to upstage this previous excellent post by adding that this is often the cause of engine compartment fires. Insurance Companies down this way look out for it and will not pay out, on the basis of negligence. It is hard to fathom why some can not appreciate the dangers involved.
__________________
Trevor, New Zealand.

As a child, on cold mornings I gladly stood in cowpats to warm my bare feet, but I detest bull$hit!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-11-2006, 10:09 PM
AutoTchr AutoTchr is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Gresham, Oregon
Posts: 338
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trevor
Please be sure I am not trying to upstage this previous excellent post by adding that this is often the cause of engine compartment fires. Insurance Companies down this way look out for it and will not pay out, on the basis of negligence. It is hard to fathom why some can not appreciate the dangers involved.
And you are correct in saying so. On some cars the battery ends up in the fan. Never good.

The so called alternator mod is a risk as well. A few months ago I purchased a car with this mod and found the cables routed poorly and chaffed!
__________________
ASE Master and L1 cert. Discounted Repairs

I feel a lot more like I do now then I did before.

92 SVX 5spd, (sold),92 SVX Teal, 67 Mustang 351C 5spd, 00 Galant.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-11-2006, 11:17 PM
Trevor's Avatar
Trevor Trevor is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posts: 5,223
Registered SVX
Quote:
Originally Posted by AutoTchr
And you are correct in saying so. On some cars the battery ends up in the fan. Never good.

The so called alternator mod is a risk as well. A few months ago I purchased a car with this mod and found the cables routed poorly and chaffed!
I have often pointed out the lack of protection after the mod has been done, but few appear to listen. At long last I have found an ally.
__________________
Trevor, New Zealand.

As a child, on cold mornings I gladly stood in cowpats to warm my bare feet, but I detest bull$hit!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-11-2006, 11:28 PM
intelisevil's Avatar
intelisevil intelisevil is offline
<<<Alcyone
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Sandy, OR
Posts: 832
Trevor

You've got two allies, I've always hated chaffing especially when I have to sit a lot . . .

Oh, and I agree on that electrical thing, too!

Dan
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-12-2006, 08:00 AM
AutoTchr AutoTchr is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Gresham, Oregon
Posts: 338
Quote:
Originally Posted by intelisevil
Trevor

You've got two allies, I've always hated chaffing especially when I have to sit a lot . . .

Oh, and I agree on that electrical thing, too!

Dan
As a long time cyclist and bike racer, I know all about chaffing
__________________
ASE Master and L1 cert. Discounted Repairs

I feel a lot more like I do now then I did before.

92 SVX 5spd, (sold),92 SVX Teal, 67 Mustang 351C 5spd, 00 Galant.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-12-2006, 01:44 PM
Earthworm's Avatar
Earthworm Earthworm is offline
Meow!
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Posts: 11,957
Send a message via ICQ to Earthworm Send a message via AIM to Earthworm Send a message via MSN to Earthworm Send a message via Yahoo to Earthworm Send a message via Skype™ to Earthworm
I had the problem on my Justy. Problem was the cables couldn't be tightened anymore without breaking and I just ended up living with it.

As for the alternator wiring mod to be safe you would want to add a fuse as close as possible to EACH end of the positive cable.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:56 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2001-2015 SVX World Network
(208)-906-1122