I am now getting naffed off with my STi 04.

Twice in 2 and a bit months my battery ahs went dead. Alarm starts chrping then screams it's nuts off. Can't do anything but call out Subaru Assist.

Only been sitting for a few days.

If this happens when I'm not here my wife will kack her pants, especially if it's in the middle of the night.

My UK300 never done this an it had a tracker.

I am going to try a new battery under warranty.

At least no-one can nick it if it doesn't start.

Subaru UK should supply us with battery packs and / or trickle chargers!!

Cheers

Unhappy Bogie.

 

This has been posted on here before mate but damned if I can remember the fix .

The original post had it happening on an 03 STI. Somebody will definately know tho matey.

wheelie_sti

 

Now I'm really getting naffed off!!

Just had a dead battery again (3rd time), had a new battery fitted just 2 weeks ago.

Went to take her out today for a bit of TLC aftter sitting for a week and she didn't start. Had to call Subaru Assist for a home start again. Wnet in the huff and never gave her any TLC after this.

I'm getting really fed up now, might be time to start looking for a non-scoob car, this is my 4th sccob and might now be my last. What a joke!!

My wife was cacking herself when I was away incase the alarm started going off with the battery going dead during the night, I can't be arsed with the hassle now!!

This is all too comon, time Subaru UK done something proper about it.

Bogie

 

Latest technical info I have gleened is that the smart alternator isn't smart enough to notice the minute charge drawn by the Trackstar. Also, the Trackstar remains active for 6 hours after the car becomes stationary, unless vibrations reset the timer, in which case it remains permanently active. So if you live on a main road, traffic could trick the Trackstar into alert mode. The best solution is to simply keep the sidelights on all the time you are driving. These combine with the minute Trackstar draw enough current to allow the smart alternator to see a current use and thus permits charging. There is also a revised Trackstar chipset with the delay set to one hour and a less sensitive movement detector rumoured to be available, but as with any known fault which will cost money to repair, no-one tells anyone that

Something like that, anyway. Try it for a few weeks. If your battery still goes dead, then call me an idiot I have had the sidelights on since May 15th when mine went, and my mate with an STi is currently trying it with success so far after 3 batteries

 

Same here, been driving with headlights on all winter and my 03sti has been fine on the factory battery.

Dipster

 

MY03 WRX has struggled to start a few times recently and I noticed at the weekend the alarm gave a chirp while the car was turning over. Sounds like the same problem.

 

Since the first time, last october, I always drive with my lights on.

(If you put a meter on the battery when the engine is running and switch the lights on the voltage difference is quite a lot).

Think I will need to get the Tracker checked.

Bogie

 

Bogie,

Driving an 53 STI and had the same problems after the first few months. Mine sits at times for a couple of weeks due to work and the time span on failures was getting less and less. Of course it failed when she who must be obeyed was in bed and I was away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Garage checked the battery again all appeared fine. Not long after Trackstar contacted me to say that my unit was constantly contacting base to say it was not happy and they wanted to change the brain. Brain changed and checked for current usage, which was within limits before and after brain change. Also went back to the dealer and insisted on a new battery, which was duely fitted. Since then 12 months have passed with the car sitting as before in my garage, with one time it sitting for 4weeks, work and holiday, and it started on the first turn of the engine. Without disbelieving the Trackstar fitter it appears it was the battery but they were both changed within a couple of days of each other.

Baz

 

Have you thought about getting a Charger / Maintainer?

I just got one from CTEK

 

Hi Jasoon,

What model do you have and how much was it?

Cheers

Bogie

 

Hi Bogie
I got the MULTI XS 3600 £50 from Demon Tweeks

http://www.ctek.se/index_GB.htm

 

Maybe you'd be better spending £50 extra on a higher capacity battery? It may be heavier, but it should withstand longer periods without being charged.

Once a lead acid battery is deep discharged it will not hold a full charge again. The lead plates become coated, and when the charge cycle starts, the coating falls off and forms a sludge in the bottom of the battery.

 

I would recomend the Accumate from www.accumate.co.uk.
It is one of the best, and is completely safe with your cars electronics.

You can mail order it. It was about £50 or so I think

 

Several people, including myself, had the same problem with their '03 STis. Getting a new battery under warranty seemed to fix everything.

 

Not for me it didn't, with an 02STI. It still went flat after 9 days with a new battery.
Not any more though...

 

Mines lasted about 7days with the new battery.

Shytot - have you had it sorted or did you get rid of the scoob?

Bogie

 

Still got it, but if you see my post I made at 8:16, about 4 or 5 messages up, I bought an Accumate battery maintainer about a year ago.

It is connected all the time that the car is not driven, it has a fused quick connector which you attach to the battery, so it is easy to plug in.

This is a really good solution for me bacause I don't use the car that often sometimes. The flat battery problem happens on all the cars I have eventually, albeit after more than a week or two.

 

Cheers everyone, looks like I'll be getting an accumate or CTEK.

Shytot - Sorry for being a bit thick, forgot you posted further up!

Bogie

 

I ordered a Ctek 3600 from Demon Tweeks yesterday, it arrived this morning!

Already wired up and on the car let's hope it cures the problem of a flat battery.

 

I'm still not sure whether to go for Ctek or Accumate, will sleep on it and decide in the morning.

Cheers

Bogie

 

hear are some photos of my Ctek in action

 

Hi Jasoon,

Looks good.

Do they do a connector to allow you to connect without popping the bonnet and if so do you know if you can arm the alarm etc with the CTEK running?

Still undecided...........

Bogie

 

My mate had the problem. He was advised to get the tracker looked at by the local dealer as the sleep mode wasn't activating. They (tracker company) came out and sorted it, and touch wood no problems since. Apparently, a fairly common problem. Don't go changing your battery without checking your tracker.

neil

 

Hi Bogie
you could run the cable under the car I have my bonnet on the first part of the latch as if you've popped it but not opened the bonnet with it like that the alarm still works.
Yep the CTEK is ok with the alarm running.

Jason.....

 

Jasoon, Phil has a "hard wired" trickle charge connection point on his 03 STi. It is located down near the number plate and seeing as it is black its very hard to see, but easy to get at. It comes with a weather proof cap to keep water out. Not sure where he got it from though.

 

just come from sidc, I didn’t realize that there was already a thread open on this subject all info on here is correct but the only thing to add to the people that are still having problem is the Subaru state that all there batteries need to be charged for 8 or more hours before being fitted or there is a good chance that it will only last a couple of weeks, the dealers will moan but you are the customer!!

 

The battery cable, connectors and weatherproof cap come standard with the Accumate charger. It comes with two ends, one for permenant connection to your battery and the other with the normal crocadile clips.

 

They are now going to get Tracker in to look at the Tracker.

It really gets on my T!TS going back and forward to dealers with cars, reminds me of having my Peugeot 306GTi6.

Had 3 previous Scoobs going back to '98 and never had any niggles, till now.

Think I'll go for Accumate anyhow, until I decide what to replace the scoob with.

Cheers

Bogie

 

An Accumate is a cheaper copy of the Optimate charger which I sell for £44 inc next day delivery, if you're paying £50 for the Accumate you've been ripped off.
The Optimate comes with croc clips and a sub harness with waterproof connection that stays on the car.

AND I sell the Optimate with a free wall bracket

 

I have to say my 04 STi doesnt have this problem yet.... I hope that it doesnt get it