Mike Alabama

I am back! Sorry for the long delay family health issue that worked out fine and then holidays etc., so now that I am done with all my excuses! In full disclosure the car I was working on (my 2ed Forester) was a new to me used Forester and thanks to all of you and after me dumbly spending $$$ on an alternator before joining this board and you all among other things to try telling me about the fuse to control the charging was nothing I had seen on a car before and was new to me so in going through the steps all of you had suggested when I got to the fuse, wala! The dang thing was missing! Put a fuse back in and brake light went off, trouble codes (all but rear O2 sensor) went away when the voltage stabilized at a perfect level. THANKS THANKS THANKS now on to a lift kit, fix an oil leak and setting it up to flat tow behind my motor home as intended; yes manual transmission.

The rear electrical is a concept I have not considered being a factor and I thought 15V was too high for an auto but PV often charges at those voltages so I was not sure in this case, thanks for the suggestions. I have had to work late the past few days and have not been able to look into all the good suggestions but I wanted to sign in and let you all know I am here and reading them. I will work on it again Friday night or this weekend. AGAIN THANKS TO ALL!!! and I will let you know the outcome.

Do you know the max voltage before the ECM turns the battery light on? I was a bit embarrassed to post and I thought an 02 was old :) It does help that I know essentially where the 2 wires go to look for a problem at the origination. Will look deeper tomorrow. Thanks for the reply

*** unfortunately I did not check the old one other than ir was putting out a little over 15v also so I assumed it was overcharging 1.A done and all are OK 1.B will check that 2. Understand but I did buy a Remy in the HOPES that would not happen 3. Not quite understanding 3 but I will look and see tomorrow, I have 5 Ford diesels now (WVO runner) so those cast harmonic monsters don't have issues. I assume Subaru is some sort of multi piece? All other accessories including AC and PS is working good and no noises. THANKS for your reply!!

Need help! Cant seem to find the exact same issue on here like I am having. 2002 Forester 5 speed installed new alternator checked all brakes. Battery and brake light are on and will go OFF, when I unplug the 2 wire alternator connector both of the lights will go off, while the brake light is on also it gets brighter when I actually pull the brake up so don't think it is that switch. What I have determined and tried so far: 1. Battery at rest 12.6 V and i also checked with an electronic load tester and it shows 100% charged, <4 meg ohms resistance and passed a 625CCA load test. 2. With car running battery reads 14.8 to 15V (already replaced alternator already assuming it was a bad regulator and it had 180K miles on it before doing any of this) 3. When I unplug the 2 wire connector on the alternator both lights go out and the battery goes to about 12.3V running with no accessories on. 4. I have cleaned body and motor ground connections with sandpaper and reinstalled. Cleaned and put protector on battery post. Used electrical cleaner on the 2 wire Alt connector. I don't understand the problem, is this and the other alternator possibly putting out over voltage out of cars computer accepted parameter and causing the light(s) to come on? Am I missing something? I am a master electrician (big wires LOL) and used to restore old cars and do modern engine transplants into them so not a total novice but this LITTLE problem on the Rue has me scratching my head....Any suggestions?