ripcurl Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 The other day my battery died in the parking lot and I got a boost and drove it home. As I was driving the ABS light came on and my headlights shut off (but the ambers stayed on). I knew the battery was on its way out so I bought a replacement. I replaced the battery today and started the car up no problem, but my headlights are still not working (but the ambers and fogs work) and the ABS light is still on. Any idea whats going on here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripcurl Posted December 31, 2010 Author Share Posted December 31, 2010 Just a quick update, I checked the fuses and the bulbs and nothings burnt. Headlights still dead and ABS light still on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landark Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 Why did your battery die? Did you leave something on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mega Users seabass07 Posted December 31, 2010 Mega Users Share Posted December 31, 2010 Sounds like the alternator is giving out. If it is not able to support the headlights, then it is probably failing. That would also explain why the battery died. Step 1 would be having an autozone test your battery. It's free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_sharp Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 ^he just said he replaced the battery. besides, the headlights should still be operable via battery without the car running. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mega Users seabass07 Posted December 31, 2010 Mega Users Share Posted December 31, 2010 uhh...NVM. I don't know how I missed that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gil_ong Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 i believe you can have your alternator tested at advance auto too. that's what i'd try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAMMER DOWN Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 Or use a Multimeter on the battery to check your alternator output. With the car running, under 13v no good, 13v-13.4v poor, 13.5v-14v normal, 14v-15v strong. When I do this test, I do it twice, once with no load. If it passes, 13.5v-15v. Another, fully loaded. Even at idle, fully loaded. The alternator should read normal 13.5v-14v. If it pass test 1, but not test 2. Your alternator is getting weak & need to be replace. Mike Mileage:331487 Retired/Sold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 Just notice that if the voltage is much above 14.4 it means that you have a bad voltage regulator and that it will wear out the battery quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soloz2 Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 It could be a bad connection somewhere. Check all your grounds under the hood. And yes, get your alt tested. Current: 16 Crosstrek Premium w/ Eyesight & 05 Outback XT 5MT Past Subies: 14 FXT Premium, 14 WRX hatch, 06 Legacy 2.5i SE 5MT, 98 Outback wagon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 Any possibility that the bulbs are both out? Did you attempt to jump start the car with the lights turned on... just hypothesizing here?? - Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ripcurl Posted January 3, 2011 Author Share Posted January 3, 2011 I popped out the bulbs again and under closer inspection, it was the bulbs that blew. What I don't understand is how did both of the blow at the same time? One was actually 2 months old. Shouldn't the fuse have blown first? Any idea why this would happen? The bulbs were GE Nighthawk Platinum H7 55W. Replaced them with the same type. http://i53.tinypic.com/330cjfr.jpghttp://i53.tinypic.com/vfxket.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_ster Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 voltage spike .. a fuse will not protect against a voltage spike , they only protect the feed system and wires in cases of over current. voltage spike can come from altenator voltage regulator or geting boosted by a tow truck that used to give 24 volts ! also a bad bump can make the bulbs blow too ... Now that's thinking out of the boxer! fyi all 05 + legacy's have built in code reader Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al-gorithm Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 This voltage regulator... anyone got a part number or is it integral to the alternator. I can't find anything online and am not at home to look through my vacay pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehsnils Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 It's integral to the alternator. Specialized shops may have it, but I would change the whole alternator. This because when it starts to act up it also needs bearing service/replacement and all diodes has to be checked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lofthouse_gt Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Is the ABS light still on? My car had the ABS light turn on when my alternator went out, no blown headlight bulbs although it makes since why it happened from others replies. If it were me I would get that Alternator checked out ASAP or you may be in for another new battery! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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