'99 Forester Hazard Lights

[sallymander]

I'm very experienced in automotive electronics but this one has me baffled.

Hazard lights go on and off on their own, doesn't matter if the car is parked or driving.

Disconnected the switch on the steering column, still does it.

I have the flasher unit disconnected for now but can't fathom what could be wrong. Flasher unit has a lot more wires to it than others I've experienced, maybe eight or so. Checked it over and everything else electrical appears to still work with the flasher disconnected.

Car is one owner (not mine) and has never had any under dash electrical work done on it. Don't see how a bad flasher could cause the problem.

Is the disconnected flasher going to cause any unforeseen problems?

Any other suggestions?

[Suzam]

Could be the alarm system. Has the battery been disconnected or died and been replaced recently?

 

I believe the cure was to disconnect the battery, turn the ignition key on to the run position, leave on and reconnect the battery.

 

Do a search in the forum for forester blinking lights and see if you find a similar story and the cure.

[john40iowa]

I have a '99 Forester as well; about three years ago it started doing this same behavior, but only when I set the alarm. Disconnecting the battery made no difference for mine, but it might worth a try. Because I am not adept at electrical work and I don't want to pay for repair, I've elected to refrain from setting the alarm which skirts the problem. Once in awhile I try it just to see and low an behold the problem remains.

John

[doc526]

I know that you mentioned that the car has not had any electrical work under the dash done, but is the car possibly running an aftermarket Viper alarm that could be very well installed?

 

I ask because I had something similar happen when I disconnected my battery while I installed my new alternator. By killing power to the Viper alarm (installed by previous owner) this caused the alarm to be faulted which causes the hazards to flash on and off for 30 seconds with a 3 minute break in between sets. This happens with the keys out and the ignition off. It turns out that I had to turn the ignition on and hold down the valet switch for 30 seconds to reset the alarm. :-\

 

Dean

Edited December 9, 2009 by doc526

[sallymander]

Thanks much to all.

Problem was simple to fix, just hit the remote door locks once to reprogram the remote. Apparently this has to be done anytime the battery goes dead or is disconnected.

The owner had accidentally turned on his hazards and ran the battery down, had to jump it. This is when the problem started.

If you don't have the remote resetting the computer is a bit more involved and is described in detail here http://www.cars101.com/subaru/keyless.html#code%20alarm