What causes a failed alternator?
Many times, the alternator will fail from being “stressed” by a dead or dying battery. The duty cycle of the average alternator will charge a battery while the car is running, and accessories like an air conditioner or lighting system will not give the alternator a break.
What would cause a good alternator not to charge?
This means that you could have a weak alternator, or a poor connection at the battery terminals. You could also have a loose drive belt, which is what supplies power to the alternator itself. If the drive belt is loose or not working properly, the alternator will not charge.
Why does my Subaru Outback make a noise when I move the steering wheel?
Once the car warms up, the noise subsides; if the car is in park, the noise is very faint at best (and only when moving the steering wheel). I had listened to the PS pump with a stethoscope and thought the screeching came from it…but today I probed the alternator and since the whine is more audible, the culprit seems to be the alternator.
Where is the tensioner on a Subaru alternator?
The tensioner is positioned between the pump and alternator. Mechanically, it lifts the alternator to tighten the belt, but when tightening, the locking clamp and bolt move up the long tensioner screw. Normally they should be at least 1/2-inch below the belt where it goes across from the pump to the alternator pulley.
Are there any problems with the Subaru Outback?
Any further back than 15 years and you’re courting danger with potential problems that could arise from a vehicle that old. In 2005, the Subaru Outback had issues with things like the head gasket leaking, issues with speed control, as well as clutch problems.
Are there any recalls on the 2013 Subaru Outback?
The oil consumption issue ended up being part of a class action lawsuit against Subaru that they ended up settling. There were also a number of recalls that still affected the 2013 model year. The airbag issue extended into this year as did the problem with the windshield wiper motor bottom cover.