lesstutrey Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 I went to start my car last night, a 2002 VDC H6 OBW and on the first try all i got was clicks. Tried again and it turned right over. Drove to where i was going, hung out for 20 minutes, left and it started right back up. This afternoon i drove to and from class without incident with starting it. I went to leave my house around 6 tonight and only clicks, and a small poof of smoke that exited the hood near the battery. Lights and stuff work, but both times this has happened i notice the clock/trip odimeters have reset, same for the radio. I jumped it and it started right up. I used a jumper box. I got to my destination and turned it off and went to turn it back on again, just clicks but no smoke or anything. That stopped after a few tries the first time. I just installed new headlights, and in doing so i disconnected my negative terminal on the battery because it needed a cleaning. I used a terminal cleaner on it and hooked it back up. Getting it off was a PITA, i bent the clip trying to break the nut, and eventually trying to break the nut the clip slipped off the terminal. Probably gonna use a small gear puller next time, and fix the nut. If it is not the battery the only thing i can think is that it is getting a crappy connection on the negative since i couldn't really tighten it afterward, but it's on there tight enough i'd need a gear pulled to take it off. I noticed while driving the lights dim when i stop, and the fan for the heat often slows down and then speeds up when i hit the gas. I was having a squeak coming from my tensioner or idle (couldn't tell which) but that has gone away, so was thinking maybe that might have been the culprit. Any opinions aside from my battery is toast, since it starts right up if i jump it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92_rugby_subie Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Get a multimeter, put it on DC 20V and put the cables on the terminal (pos to pos/neg to neg) Check your battery voltage... When not running, the battery should have 12.5 volts, a little less wont hurt. Then have someone check the voltage while you crank the car to see how much it drops. Also, if it does start, test to make sure that you have power from your alternator (same process) when running, a healthy alternator should give over 14V to the battery (mine registers in at 13.5 but I have a sub and amp hooked up) The lights dimming tells me that the battery is running low unless your on the accelerator, which makes the alternator speed increase and thus charges your battery and you get better head lights. If everything checks out, it could be your starter. But I think youre right, battery or alternator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92_rugby_subie Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 The other thing Replace the terminals that got bent and make sure they are tight... bad terminal connection could be an issue... they are about 3 bucks a piece ~ 6 bucks total. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzam Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 +1 on the terminal connectors, the smoke to me means bad contact of the terminals and the connectors. Cheap fix that needs to be done anyway. Although.... I just replaced the OEM battery in our 2002 Outback Ltd this fall so you maybe in need soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesstutrey Posted January 25, 2011 Author Share Posted January 25, 2011 (edited) Thank you all but...... Before even reading your replies i figured it out when i went to jump it again. I use one of those jump starter boxes, (used to have a problem leaving my lights on in my old car) so i hooked up the clips to the terminals and since i had attempted to crank it, i had accidentally left the key in the ignition in the on position. I noticed the blower fan come on when i just connected it to the negative terminal. Normally i have to flip the jumper box on, and then it allows me to jump. I still had to do that, but it got me thinking about that negative terminal, and how i had bent it. I thought well, despite me cleaning it, i bet it has crap connection. Got home and took a screw driver and a hammer and tapped the clip down on the terminal, hopped in my car and cranked it, vola! Turned it off and tried it again (i did that my girls place and it didn't restart) and again, turned right over and started. Fairly sure i got it taken care of, but replacing the terminal clip seems like a good idea to make sure it doesn't come loose from vibrations, and since the screw it utterly stuck (though i bet i can break it if i pull it off the terminal) Probably need to replace the battery too, almost 9 years of use and it has been COLD lately (hovering around 0F) though it was reading 14.5v. Also didn't test it off, since once i got it running i wanted to get inside. Didn't have anyone crank it, i know that's the real test. I'll do that before i replace it, but the dimming lights and slowing fans is probably a good indication the battery is going. Edited January 25, 2011 by lesstutrey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Dimming lights has more to do with alternator output. It's just things getting old though. Nothing to worry about (in my experience) until you start getting new lights on the dash. Put a new connector on the negative and keep riding. Your well maintained battery should last through at least another warm season unless you kill it by leaving the lights on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesstutrey Posted January 25, 2011 Author Share Posted January 25, 2011 Dimming lights has more to do with alternator output. It's just things getting old though. Nothing to worry about (in my experience) until you start getting new lights on the dash. Put a new connector on the negative and keep riding. Your well maintained battery should last through at least another warm season unless you kill it by leaving the lights on. Well, i may replace the alternator in the future as i have a sub i want to wire in, and then some driving and fog lights, and probably some reverse lights too, so i'll need a well running or beefier one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 by "clip" do you mean the actual connector that slides over the battery terminal needs replaced? that's funny mine on my 02 OBW VDC seem to need replacing as well, the negative seems the worst. weird that the newest vehicle i've ever owned is the one needing replaced? all that jumping to start and recharging works the alternator pretty good. it's best to jump a car with the other car running and leave them connected for a length of time because of that - but no one, including me, does that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesstutrey Posted January 27, 2011 Author Share Posted January 27, 2011 by "clip" do you mean the actual connector that slides over the battery terminal needs replaced? that's funny mine on my 02 OBW VDC seem to need replacing as well, the negative seems the worst. weird that the newest vehicle i've ever owned is the one needing replaced? all that jumping to start and recharging works the alternator pretty good. it's best to jump a car with the other car running and leave them connected for a length of time because of that - but no one, including me, does that! Yeah, i mean the piece that connects to the battery terminal. Newest car for myself as well. Had a 1990 dakota, 1992 grand caravan, 1992 acura legend and now the OBW. This negative terminal problem is probably because i disconnected it when installing the new headlamp assemblies, and just never got it on very well, after a little driving it got loose, and did this crap. Really all the jumper box did was give it a better negative connection, the jumper clip forcing it on to the negative terminal more, so i don't think it strained my alternator much. With the 20-30 times i've jumped my old 92 acura legend the alternator still kicks butt so i'm not too woried, despite the legend having 20 more amps... However i am thinking of fixing up the serpentine with a rebuilt 90a alternator, new tensioner and rebuild the idle, or whatever the heck is squeaking in the serpentine setup. Maybe i just need a new belt, i just rolled over 81k today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now