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    CreativeNotHandy's Avatar
    CreativeNotHandy Posts: 35, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
    		  
    #1

    Oct 30, 2008, 07:09 AM
    1999 Subaru Forrester Battery - Won't Start Issue
    I drove my Subaru 20 miles, stopped at the gas station; and it wouldn't start back up.

    So I got a jump. It started up fine and drove about 3 more miles, shut the car off and it started back up fine again.

    Why would the battery charge up in 3 miles yet lose its charge in the previous 20 mile ride?:confused:

    & is it a safe bet to replace the battery or could this be an alternater issue?
    TxGreaseMonkey's Avatar
    TxGreaseMonkey Posts: 16,761, Reputation: 5597
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    Oct 30, 2008, 07:16 AM

    Most auto parts stores will test batteries and alternators for free.

    I would remove the battery from the car, place it on a charger, and go from there. Odds are that the battery is bad.
    Alfabitone's Avatar
    Alfabitone Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Feb 16, 2011, 08:09 AM
    My 1999 Subaru Wagon has been intermittently not starting since 2006. An auto shop recommended we get it looked at. A Citgo station replaced the starter. Later they put in a new Interstate battery. 3 years later it is still intermittently not starting. The battery, now close to 4 years old has some white corrosion on it. At times I turn the key up to 200 times and it then starts. If I get beyond 200 tries, I let it sit and in the next hour it starts like nothing was ever wrong! Or the next day it starts right up, restarts every time, 10-20 times a day, perfectly, then one day it does not start. Last 2 times I got a jump and it started right up! MD mechanic says it had a loose wire on the starter, that I could replace that or replace the starter, as well. I chose the former. Today it does not start after about 10 clicks and has been sitting for about a week.
    Diagnosis, please?
    TxGreaseMonkey's Avatar
    TxGreaseMonkey Posts: 16,761, Reputation: 5597
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    #4

    Feb 16, 2011, 08:48 AM

    Alfa, check the ignition switch for wear or pitting--it's likely bad. Easy job. This link may help:

    https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post235560
    Alfabitone's Avatar
    Alfabitone Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    Feb 17, 2011, 05:21 AM
    Comment on TxGreaseMonkey's post
    Why would it start, after the last 2 failures, first crank with a jumper battery attached? More voltage to a pitted/worn ignition switch? Thanks...
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #6

    Mar 9, 2017, 07:53 AM
    I've seen Low water in Battery do this?
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