Please login or register.
Login with username, password and session length

UNYSOC.ORG - Upstate NY Subaru Owners Club

February 07, 2012, 10:41:59 AM
« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Subaru Alternator  (Read 1018 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline skyphix

  • Waaaay to much time on their hands!
  • *****
  • Posts: 4,100
  • Karma: +96/-37
    • http://www.skyphix.com

Subaru Alternator
« on: March 21, 2009, 06:34:32 PM »
Not my car... but I've got a friend that has an 03 Forester (non turbo, EJ251). He's had to replace an alternator a year for the past 3 years.

The first alternator died when the car was about 4 years old. The next was a reman and died a year later. The next one was a parts store alternator and he got a new battery at the same time.

I understand the questionable quality of remans and parts store alternators but it seems premature for one to die after 4 years and its awfully coincidental that the next few have died so quickly. Any idea what may be causing them to croak? He loves the car and has had no other problems than this.

Thanks,
E
Logged
Eric

Quote from: RedRoof2 on December 08, 2011, 11:29:57 AM
Quote me now while I'm feeling good about it.  I've decided a WRX will be the vehicle that replaces the Jeep.  I can't see paying Evo prices or justifying purchasing a halfassed/beat to death example for the same asinine amount of money.  For an affordable, point to point, all-weather capable performance car, a wagon fits the bill.  A swapped wagon, even better.

Offline Str8Sleeper

  • ScoobyDooby Specialist
  • ****
  • Posts: 570
  • Karma: +30/-39

Re: Subaru Alternator
« Reply #1 on: March 24, 2009, 09:46:00 PM »
does he have a stereo system installed??
Logged
"If you drive a redneck car that has a type of mullet named after it, you might be a redneck"

Offline skyphix

  • Waaaay to much time on their hands!
  • *****
  • Posts: 4,100
  • Karma: +96/-37
    • http://www.skyphix.com

Re: Subaru Alternator
« Reply #2 on: March 24, 2009, 09:57:22 PM »
Nope the car is all stock. The current thought is the belt tensioner or ac compressor causing issues with the bearings in the alternator.
Logged
Eric

Quote from: RedRoof2 on December 08, 2011, 11:29:57 AM
Quote me now while I'm feeling good about it.  I've decided a WRX will be the vehicle that replaces the Jeep.  I can't see paying Evo prices or justifying purchasing a halfassed/beat to death example for the same asinine amount of money.  For an affordable, point to point, all-weather capable performance car, a wagon fits the bill.  A swapped wagon, even better.

Offline Photofixer

  • Waaaay to much time on their hands!
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,561
  • Karma: +164/-140
  • I FIX IT!

Re: Subaru Alternator
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2009, 08:19:19 AM »
Is their a Chassis Voltage regulator internal to the ECU? On these cars?

If their is.. that could take out alternators..

Logged
2005 Saab 92x Aero Protuned Stage II 5MT  1 of 1937 Aeros Car #3088 of 7,839

Offline crAppAchic0

  • ScoobyDooby Specialist
  • ****
  • Posts: 963
  • Karma: +63/-9
  • Lovin' the goats

Re: Subaru Alternator
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2009, 12:02:25 PM »
There was some sort of recall on electrical systems (in general) on the older Legacy's (mine was a '98).  The original owner it done, but prior to that, he said he had the alternator replaced 2 or 3 times in very short intervals.  I want to say it was voltage regulator related, but unsure off the top of my head...
Logged
-Lyndon

'00 SRP Impreza 2.5RS
'95 BMW 318Ti
and other assorted pieces...

Offline skyphix

  • Waaaay to much time on their hands!
  • *****
  • Posts: 4,100
  • Karma: +96/-37
    • http://www.skyphix.com

Re: Subaru Alternator
« Reply #5 on: July 11, 2009, 09:58:40 PM »
You know I'll have to check in with my friend to see how this turned out. Thanks guys.
Logged
Eric

Quote from: RedRoof2 on December 08, 2011, 11:29:57 AM
Quote me now while I'm feeling good about it.  I've decided a WRX will be the vehicle that replaces the Jeep.  I can't see paying Evo prices or justifying purchasing a halfassed/beat to death example for the same asinine amount of money.  For an affordable, point to point, all-weather capable performance car, a wagon fits the bill.  A swapped wagon, even better.

Offline Cholo

  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 374
  • Karma: +7/-16

Re: Subaru Alternator
« Reply #6 on: July 11, 2009, 11:47:45 PM »
interesting.  I'm a little paranoid about mine after my weird power loss issue.
Logged

Offline Photofixer

  • Waaaay to much time on their hands!
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,561
  • Karma: +164/-140
  • I FIX IT!

Re: Subaru Alternator
« Reply #7 on: July 12, 2009, 07:58:34 PM »
Cholo , Didn't you say you had a loose wire?  :|
Logged
2005 Saab 92x Aero Protuned Stage II 5MT  1 of 1937 Aeros Car #3088 of 7,839

Offline crxgator

  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 185
  • Karma: +6/-8

Re: Subaru Alternator
« Reply #8 on: August 20, 2009, 09:49:15 AM »
if he is getting reman'd hopefully he is going to autozone or advance auto since they have Lifetime warranties on them...will only cost him just some of his time to replace it every year...
Logged

Offline skyphix

  • Waaaay to much time on their hands!
  • *****
  • Posts: 4,100
  • Karma: +96/-37
    • http://www.skyphix.com

Re: Subaru Alternator
« Reply #9 on: August 20, 2009, 09:56:09 AM »
He's not mechanically inclined, so it costs him the labor to replace it every year - which is one reason he wants to figure out what it is. Also, the main concern is that there may be something else wrong, since 1 alternator a year seems a bit excessive.

Haven't talked to him about it in a while - I keep forgetting to mention it.
Logged
Eric

Quote from: RedRoof2 on December 08, 2011, 11:29:57 AM
Quote me now while I'm feeling good about it.  I've decided a WRX will be the vehicle that replaces the Jeep.  I can't see paying Evo prices or justifying purchasing a halfassed/beat to death example for the same asinine amount of money.  For an affordable, point to point, all-weather capable performance car, a wagon fits the bill.  A swapped wagon, even better.

Offline chadpd

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 39
  • Karma: +3/-3

Re: Subaru Alternator
« Reply #10 on: August 20, 2009, 08:31:45 PM »
If he needs someone to change it, bring it by the shop I'll change it for free.
Logged

Offline skyphix

  • Waaaay to much time on their hands!
  • *****
  • Posts: 4,100
  • Karma: +96/-37
    • http://www.skyphix.com

Re: Subaru Alternator
« Reply #11 on: August 21, 2009, 07:44:19 AM »
Quote from: chadpd on August 20, 2009, 08:31:45 PM
If he needs someone to change it, bring it by the shop I'll change it for free.


Big offer, thanks Chad :mrgreen: I'll pass it on.
Logged
Eric

Quote from: RedRoof2 on December 08, 2011, 11:29:57 AM
Quote me now while I'm feeling good about it.  I've decided a WRX will be the vehicle that replaces the Jeep.  I can't see paying Evo prices or justifying purchasing a halfassed/beat to death example for the same asinine amount of money.  For an affordable, point to point, all-weather capable performance car, a wagon fits the bill.  A swapped wagon, even better.

Offline Photofixer

  • Waaaay to much time on their hands!
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,561
  • Karma: +164/-140
  • I FIX IT!

Re: Subaru Alternator
« Reply #12 on: August 21, 2009, 09:17:51 AM »
Quote from: Photofixer on July 08, 2009, 08:19:19 AM
Is their a Chassis Voltage regulator internal to the ECU? On these cars?

If their is.. that could take out alternators..


Quote from: chadpd on July 09, 2009, 10:14:32 PM
No the Voltage regulator is built in to the alternator and is most likely replaceable.. Heat is a killer and I replace mine which is no OEM about every 16 months

That's why I said  "Chassis" voltage regulator..  I know about the VR in the Alternator..  :coolsmiley:
Logged
2005 Saab 92x Aero Protuned Stage II 5MT  1 of 1937 Aeros Car #3088 of 7,839
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »