Subaru electrical problem.

[Al]

Background: 140K miles. Vehicle amazingly well maintained. New Battery- Alternator replaced 30k miles ago. No problems what-so-ever.

Coming home 110 mile trip, stopped halfwazy at McDonalds. Car sat 5 minutes. Tried to start..no dash lite..no nothing. Electronic unlock worked. I didn't notice if dome light was on. Key did not do anything..no clicks no nothing.

Lifted hood..battery connections tiight. Dropped hood , tried to start and it crankde 10 seconds. This is normal if you disconnect the battery. Car will grind for 10 seconds.

I have no clu. Except I need to find out "Why". With subaru its a problem bc of AWD and towing with vehicle in park..I could not get it out of park...as I recall.

 

[SnowDrifter]

Have you checked grounds?

 

[Quest]

sounds like open-ended question (too general).

Get a mech to help disgnose the issue.

Q.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: Quest
sounds like open-ended question (too general).

Get a mech to help disgnose the issue.

Q.

Oh yea.I agree and I am calling the Subaru Guru that has been in business for 30+ years and also will be talking to the dealership service manager. I also know that if all symptons of an intermittant failure are gone. Its tough to repair or troubleshoot.
Originally Posted By: SnowDrifter
Have you checked grounds?

I can detect no open grounds "now"

 

[Pontual]

starter relay?

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: Pontual
starter relay?

No..all of dash lights stayed "off" when the key went to the "on" position...thanks though

 

[dishdude]

So did you get it started or is it still sitting at McD's?

I'd start with making sure the battery is good.

 

[JHZR2]

Ive not heard what the battery voltage is...

 

[Pontual]

yep

 

[geeman789]

Key did nothing... ? No lights or anything...

Ignition switch... ? They do wear out...

 

[4wheeldog]

I would start by cleaning BOTH ENDS of BOTH BATTERY CABLES!

You describe a situation where there is a bad (Corroded) contact, at one of those 4 locations, which effectively removes the battery from being connected.

If it is not that, get the battery load tested. If they doesn't do it, check the connections at the fusible link/main fuse.

 

[edwardh1]

ign switch
bad battery

 

[Eddie]

All things mentioned that I could think of. Ground connections on battery AND to chassy and starter, main starter relay, battery and alternator leads to the battery. Ignition switch. I have also seen battery cables bad INSIDE the insulation. Ed

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: 4wheeldog
I would start by cleaning BOTH ENDS of BOTH BATTERY CABLES!

You describe a situation where there is a bad (Corroded) contact, at one of those 4 locations, which effectively removes the battery from being connected.

If it is not that, get the battery load tested. If they doesn't do it, check the connections at the fusible link/main fuse.

Pulled main cables and checked continuity reinstalled. Also sprayed ignition switch with graphited lock cleaner...thanks again for all the sugggestions. I appreciate it.

 

[artificialist]

Failing relays, perhaps?

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Failing relays, perhaps?

Not a bad thought. Its been a week now and absolutely no problems. I feel like I corrected the problem. I am going up to Penn state today with it. Knock wood.