jpor

Recently swapped my battery and got myself an Exide Premium +++ been good thus far. Not listed for the Impreza but measured my last battery (VARTA) for the dimensions and got something with little more power. Last battery was rated @ 60mah this one is rated @ 64mah and has good cranking power for the engine

Looks like I have found the problem. Only happened after running the car for 15 minutes on the drive which was charging fine. Switched off and tried again, guess what no charging again. Looked under the bonnet to discover a nice burning smell and noticed some smoke coming from the top red connection on top of the alternator: Not sure how that has happened........................

Yep had that experience when I first got my STi. Can be scary as you are hoping that the catch is doing it's job. I know a lot of owners who have gone and bought the Rally bonnet clasps to combat the problem.

Well I managed to pick up an EXIDE battery at the local MAKRO @ £69.99 for a 64ah one. Took me longer than anticipated to swap over due to the battery clamp worked out that the 2 metal rod pieces had to fit into some holes using the hooks first, everytime I tightend down the clamp would spring off . Also had a problem with one of the nuts that kept sticking part way down. Anyway everything in place now, started the car and low and behold voltage was showing around 12.5v, but as soon as I put the side ligths on the voltage dropped back down to 11.8v and the battery lamp on the dash came back on. Put a bit revs into the engine and the alternator kicked in and produced it's 14.4v reading. Switched the lights off and the voltage dropped back to 12.2V. Put the A/C and fans on and the alternator kicked back in again to produce 14.4v again. Ran the car on the drive for a few minutes, switched everything off and switched th ignition off. Left for a few minutes, on strat back didn't appear as lively, tried a few things again and the alternator kicks in now. Switched off and the last reading on the scangauge showed 12.8v. Will try again latewr to see what happens. I take it the ECU/Alternator remembers the old battery and then works out a new one is put in to cuase the initial battery light to come on the dash forst time around?

No worries. Been doing a few hours of research on the t'internet ANd it appears for a 70ah Battery (VARTA) there is a E21 type battery. But my local Makro are selling some EXIDE batteries and I am off down there to see If I can get one. Looks as though a they do a 64ah E27 type battery that should fit. Will keep you posted.

Anyone recommend a good Motor factors in Cheshire?

On the newage UK Spec 03-05 STI's they are manual only. On the JDM spec ones they are Automatic. Not sure if this was brought into the UK spec cars on the 06-08 models?

Thanks for the responses Yes I was foolish enough to keep the battery connected to the car whilst using the conditioner. I didn't want to disconnect it just in-case the alarm kicked off due to the RAC trackstar which is a pain in the ass draining batteries when you keep the car at stand-still. Next question. I currently have a Varta D47 60ah battery fitted, and was looking for a 70ah battery. Any ideas on where to get one from apart from Halfords?

Have had my 53 plate Blobeye STi UK Impreza for the last 6 years as of late I havent used it that much, before then it's had the battery changed back in 2006 with a VARTA D47 60ah due to the battery drain problems these cars face @ the dealers and it's been sat in the garage with a battery conditioner hooked up to it when not in use, with the longest time being for a good 6 months before I have started the car. I have now come to use the car again for the run to and from work (9 miles each way) for the last 3 days and have a scangauge 2 hooked up to the OBD2 port in the car. The Voltage reading has been reading 12.5V without load and 14.4v with (side lights/Air-Con etc.). As of late I thought I best run the car with the side lights on, and low and behold the voltage reading jumped from 12.2V to 14.4V with the lights on so to give the battery a good charge. So far so good... but tonight after getting into the drive way after getting back from work without side lights but with stereo on noticed the scangauge 2 was reading the car battery @ 11.6v so tried putting the side lights on to see if the alternator would charge the battery back up and low and behold I just got the battery low indicator flashing slightly coming up on the dash board Then I put the main lights on and the light came on full, but the engine didn't start to splutter or anything . Switched the lights off and the battery indicator went off. Switched the car off and re-started first time but the battery indicator on the dash came on. Can a faulty/flat battery cause the alternator to stop working? Or has the Alternator failed? Any ideas? Was looking at changing the battery just in-case but fear I may need to get a new alternator as well.

Anyone??????

Been a while posting on this site......... So here goes. Currently own an Impreza MY03 STi which spends most of it's time in the garage. Had the battery replaced twice when it was under warranty, and the last Battery a VARTA has lasted for just over 2 years, and that's with using a Battery conditioner connected up to it when the car is not in use. Decided to replace my standard OEM Subaru Filter with a K&N one and give the car a run-out-on the roads. Come to start it and the alarm tried to kick-off and the door locks were going like crazy. Couldn't even use the keyfob. In the end used a trickle charging battery charger to put a bit of charge back into the battery and then got the car started and went out for a drive with the lights on etc.... for roughly over 30 minutes. Got back home checked the green battery light and it is showing quite dimly, I now have the battery hooked back up to the battery conditioner. I do know the history of the STi and one of the issues it has is with batteries being eaten up by the RAC Trackstar. My questions are: 1)... Do I need a new battery? 2)... Any recommenedations on make and model of replacement battery? Thanks in advance. Jon.

Also bare in mind that when you come to insure it, it would be best to declare the car has 'ppp' even though it's a Subaru approved upgrade car insurers will see it as an aftermarket mod. As for the 'ppp' on a WRX. Then this will mean you will have roughly 265BHP instead of the 225BHP.

If it makes you feel better, I had one too not long ago from Congleton Borough Council. Said something about gangs coming into the area from Liverpool and Manchester. And that up-to 4 Scoobies have been stolen in the area alone this year.

Yep Sorry to hear... That's one of the reasons why I have the STi for weekends on the road, and have a Ford Fiesta as a run-a-bout. I take it this was @ Bowlers, Trafford Park way?

It's probably running from the registry. click start then run: type the following: regedit press return. in regedit left click + on the the following: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE MICROSOFT WINDOWS left click on RUN on the right pane you will see what starts up when windows boots up.