scootmuldoon Posted January 10, 2012 Posted January 10, 2012 Hi all, a couple of weeks ago i went out to start my 03 plate blobeye STi. My key fob never opened the doors so i used the key in the lock and when i went to start it my alarm started going off!! I ended up disconecting the battery and got it checked out. I was told that the battery was goosed so bought a new one. Since then i've not had any problems. I went out again today and the car struggled to start so went to my local garage to get it checked out. He said that i need a new alternator as the battery isn't getting a full charge. Where is the best/cheapest place to buy one or does anyone know of anywhere that can recondition my old one?? Cheers.
ccrien Posted January 10, 2012 Posted January 10, 2012 Try Grade A Subaru, breakers with alternators available 20 to 30 pounds plus postage. Havent used them myself but seen them recommended, and are well established. Google or go to their ebay page. Hope you get sorted soon.
spect Posted January 10, 2012 Posted January 10, 2012 Are you running with side lights switched on? It is a feature of Scoob alternators that they need a load on them to charge the battery, something to do with weight saving or summat like that. Without that load you will gradually lose charge at lower revs etc.
scootmuldoon Posted January 11, 2012 Author Posted January 11, 2012 Do u have a meter to check the voltage? Yeah mate, the voltage reading was about 12.52v Was told it should be about 14/15v??
scootmuldoon Posted January 11, 2012 Author Posted January 11, 2012 Are you running with side lights switched on? It is a feature of Scoob alternators that they need a load on them to charge the battery, something to do with weight saving or summat like that. Without that load you will gradually lose charge at lower revs etc. No mate, i dont usally have them on unless its dark. I read somewhwere else that you should run with the side lights on but never bothered as i usually have have stereo and blower on all the time anyway.
scootmuldoon Posted January 11, 2012 Author Posted January 11, 2012 Voltages - Normal 12V and up On start up it might drop down to a min of 8V - any less then the battery is knackered and not retaining charge Engine running and side lights on - over 14V (on charge voltage), and should not drop below no matter what load is applied. If not over 12 then pooped alternator Thanks alot mate, ill get it double checked before splashing out on a new one then.
scootmuldoon Posted January 11, 2012 Author Posted January 11, 2012 Just a wee update on the alternator, Went back to the shop where i bought the new battery from a few weeks ago and he came out and tested it for me. The voltage on it in the car was reading about 12.61v. He carried out some other test and then told me that the new battery he sold me was saying dud and that it needed replaced. He then gave me a another new battery which i fitted myself and then went to my local garage again and got them to test it. With the car running the new one was reading at 12.60v so basically no difference. They said that its definately the alternator thats goosed!! Managed to find a guy selling a second hand one out of a scrapped car which has done 85k miles with no guarantee for £35 or else a company called West Lancs Auto Electrics says they have one in stock for £105 with 12 months warranty but i need to send my old one back to them. Which is best??
ccrien Posted January 11, 2012 Posted January 11, 2012 alternative- 29.99 plus 10 postage - may fit? http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Grade-A-Subaru/Alternators-/_i.html?_fsub=433526013&_sid=61387633&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322
terzo neil Posted January 14, 2012 Posted January 14, 2012 has to proper subaru alternator due to the smart charging system fitted if not it will massively over charger and bring on the engine management light from dealer is around 225 plus vat exchange
scootmuldoon Posted January 15, 2012 Author Posted January 15, 2012 has to proper subaru alternator due to the smart charging system fitted if not it will massively over charger and bring on the engine management light from dealer is around 225 plus vat exchange Yeah mate, I got quoted about £200. I'm getting a second hand one coming for £35 so ill give that a go and hopefully that'll fix it as its out of a blobeye sti the same age as mine.
scootmuldoon Posted January 18, 2012 Author Posted January 18, 2012 Alright guys, just to let you know that i got my 2nd hand alternator fitted today and seems to be working perfect. Voltage reading is now sitting about 14.6v. Thanks to everyone for their help.
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