RAC Trackstar = Dead Battery
 

Yet again another Dead battery issue.

I have now been advised that my Trackstar needs to be replaced/upgraded by the RAC.

Has anybody else had this done recently? If so I would appreciate some info on this etc...

Cheers

I'm on to my 3rd battery now!
What I've been told/am doing could be SIAL for you, but I'll tell it anyway.......
The Trackstar draws a small current whilst active which is 6 hours after you switch off the ignition. If after that time some movement occurs (gust of wind/parked near a busy road & lorry goes past etc) then it re-activates for another 6 hours (so more slight drain on battery). This is dealt with by reducing the 'active' time to 1 hour via a circuit board replacement so you need to ask if this is ideal for you? However the battery & alternator are where the real problem lies it seems. The alternator fitted to later model cars is 'Smart' & will only work if a significant drain on the battery takes place. So unless that happens the alternator does not recharge your battery which just gets weaker & weaker. 'Significant drain' includes Lights - side & main & heated rear window. The solution as advided to me is to drive around with the sidelights on at all times (Volvo stylee!) which forces the alt to charge the battery constantly.
So far it's worked perfectly for me with regular 2/3 day inactive periods for the car & one of 4 days which would've previously resulted in a flat battery.
Steve

Yep I was told about the 'smart' alternator as well, I always drive with the headlights on and always have done-it's an old bike habbit.
Anyway in Two years I've never had a flat battery with my 03sti.

Dipster

So nobody had ther RAC trackstar - changed??

Ditto and always have my side lights on MY03STIPPP but garaged indoors day and night.

JB

The lights on thing is an ex Volvo owners ;) [T4 owner]

Never had a problem with mine

Just rang them to do a test trace and they found me without problem

Get a trickle charger................you can leave for months of inacctivity then; beats me why anyone would want to leave their sccob for more than 4 hours ;)

So no-body has had there RAC Trackstar changed/upgraded?? after the battery went dead?

I'm in the same boat mate:(

your main dealer should have the number of the Trackstar technical dept,who #should#be able to help you foc

What info do you need to do a test trace Phil?

Can I answer?
I will anyway...just phone customer services on 0808 100 999 1 and ask for a test.
This should be done every 6 Months really-well I do and it's always worked.

Dipster

Cheers what info will I need to hand?

You need to have driven the car in the last 6 hrs and you need your reg number.

Dipster

As above ;)

They will call you back and tell you where the car is currently at

The main dealer will do this for me & has suggested the above - Just wondering if this has been done, will I get a brand new RAC tractstar???

as I read it,ProdriveSTi is concerned about his battery constantly being drained by the tracker and not them being able to locate it:confused:

correct... :notworthy

Battery has died on me x2 now.

Subaru have suggest that they call RAC for me & they will come out to my home or my local dealer which ever is best for me & either replace my trackstar or upgrade it?
I was wondering if anybody else has been offered this from there local dealer?
It looks like RAC are aware of this problem, & have got a solution????

I had this last year, apparently the Trackstar was no going into 'sleep' mode. As I recall the software on the Trackstar unit was upgraded when the car was recovered to dealer, plus a new battery. The car now starts fine even being left for two weeks.
I will get the tracker checked soon as its coming up to renewal time

Yep, just had my Trackstar replaced a week ago.

Original battery went dead twice, new battery fitted and went dead first time the car was left within a couple of weeks.

Strange thing is they refitted my original battery?

I have always driven with my lights on since the first time the battery went dead, but the battery still went dead. (You can see a big change in the output voltage on the alternator with a load).

It's really cheesed me off and I might not buy another scoob because of it, I can't afford for my car to not be reliable. I'm now constantly wondering when it's next going to happen.

I'm going to fit the earthing mod and maybe buy a trickle charger for preventative measures.

Bogie

Has this resolved the problem then??

How long did it take to change the RAC Trackstar.....

I bought a solar trickle charger from Maplin and was planning to leave it on the rear shelf, dropping through the vents to the boot and into the power supply.

Dealer had the car for a day (had to leave it and go to work), but I think it probably took less than an hour to change / update the Trakstar module.

Scoob is fine so far, but longest it's sat since is about 2days. Fingers crossed though!!

Bogie

In the light of this thread - and having had two dead batteries within 6 months - I rang customer services at Trackstar just now. The question of a modification has to be referred to "a Director" (!) who is not in today - I'm promised a reply tomorrow - and my request for a test location is being processed. It will be interesting to see what eventuates. I will report back.

Phil

Returned call after exactly 1 hour with correct location. Given lower priority of check tracks under all other business, I regard that as :)

Phil