Auto body repair & detailing: 1999 Subaru Forester, subaru forester, position power

Question
Hi,

I have a 1999 Subaru Forester. I just replaced the alternator and battery. Both brand new parts. The car started fine and ran well. The following morning, it started fine, but the gauges all went to zero after about 5 minutes of idling. There was very little power, and the car just shut off. What else could be wrong?

Answer
Hi Stephen!.....First of all, if you have replaced the alternator and battery with brand new parts, generally, these items can be ruled out....But, unfortunatly, not always....If you have access to a DVOM ( Digital Volt Ohm Meter ), you can check the output of the alternator, and see if it is putting out the required specifications...As for the battery, a Load Test meter will tell you how much of a drain the battery will sustain, and actually take a charge....Also, some alternators have an integral (built in) regulator....If it is not integral, a separate regulator will be mounted elsewhere...If this is the case, you might want to check into that as well.....A vehicle's charging/starting system operates this way.....( You probably allready know this ), but once the key is turned to the "Start" position, power is sent from the battery to the starter. Once started, the alternator provides the source of power to run the vehicle...The regulator obviously "regulates" the charge to the battery, and the battery, in turn, supplies assisted power when the alternator can not keep up with power demands....So any deficiency, in any one of these areas, will result in a power loss, resulting in stalling/shutting off...This is what makes me think there is still a problem with the charging system....There is also the option of taking your vehicle to get an AVR..Alternator/Voltage/Regulator test...One last thing, does the engine light stay on when the vehicle is running?...If it does, there is a diagnostic tool that can be hooked up to diagnose a code within the system...It will tell you a code number, and the exact problem....Hope this is of some help...Write back, if you have any more questions....Thanks....Dave