Weird electrical failure...then resurrection

[matt1710]

Was checking all the ICE connections into my McIntosh factory HU yesterday (and temporarily connected an identical McIntosh HU to try and isolate the error) and when I connected it all (HU, cig lighter, rear window defrost switch) up as I reassembled the dash the electrics started doing funny things - like dash lights coming on then fading away - or flashing - and warning lights coming on and not going away. As I sporadically turned the wipers on (inadvertently) they wiped very slowly - like the battery was low. The battery has been fine, is a good one and is reasonably new - maybe 2 years old. Anyway, when I got it all reassembled it wouldn't start - made a funny rapid whirring/clicking noise, but no fire. I hauled it all apart and double checked connections - all seemed ok - still the whirring/clicking. I disconnected the cig lighter/ defrost switch and HU - still the clicking. I figured I'd screwed something up, so left it overnight - battery still connected. This morning, I tried and it didn't do the clicking thing but turned over very slowly - not enough to fire. Hooked up the jumper leads and bingo - it started.

Could I have drained the battery sufficiently over the 1 hour I was playing around with the HU?? Seems unlikely doesn't it.

Haven't turned if off since jumping - so will be interesting to see if it restarts...

[suubyduuby]

Did you check the battery voltage with a multimeter?

Had a similiar thing happen with our Legacy - battery was going strong and then experienced a quick and sudden death. Started fine with a new battery. Sometimes you can have little to no warning. In our case, had just driven car somewhere...parked it, listened to music for say 10-15mins and then wouldn't start. Checked battery voltage - was down to 9V and dropped lower when trying to turn over.

Weird aye!

[matt1710]

I checked it while it was still hooked up to the other car, with both cars running - so probably not a good indication of where it was at. It was 14.4V from memory. Will check it again now - after a few minutes I disconnected the jumper leads but left the Subaru running for 30 mins or so - hopefully that was enough to recharge the battery. It started no problem after I turned it off after the 30 mins.

Voltage of battery now (engine off) : 12.92V. The negative terminal is quite crappy looking, with white stuff all around it.

[gotasuby]

i would say it is a bad earth

[matt1710]

Hmm - I wonder if this is connected with my sporadic 'no sound' but otherwise fully operational stereo system? I've posted re that here : http://www.clubsub.org.nz/forum/index.php/topic,13425.0.html

Someone did suggest that it could well be a speaker shorting to ground - and as it often turns on (or off) when I hit a bump with the left front wheel, they suggested looking there first. I did so the other day - the two speakers in the left front door seemed fine - and the sounds certainly didn't start when I wiggled their connections, nor even when I disconnected the speakers.

[Guest]

If you want to clean your battery terminals boiling water fresh poured outa the jug works wonders.