Problems with battrey 2005 WRX
#1
![Default](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hi All
Has anyone had any problems with their battery?
Just got back from a weeks holiday to find the battery was completely flat on my 2005 wrx. Has anyone had the same problem?
Would not have though that his should happen on a two year old car.
Is this a common problem and if so any recommendations for a new battery.
Thanks in advance
Paul
Has anyone had any problems with their battery?
Just got back from a weeks holiday to find the battery was completely flat on my 2005 wrx. Has anyone had the same problem?
Would not have though that his should happen on a two year old car.
Is this a common problem and if so any recommendations for a new battery.
Thanks in advance
Paul
#2
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Please excuse my Spelling - its not the best !!
Posts: 2,538
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Funnily enough I had the same problem in Dec - was off work so didnt use the car (its an 05 as well) for a couple of weeks. Tried to start it - would turn over but not start. Ok didnt help that I had left the interior map light on (I think)
Charging it made no differance, got it jump started and drove to Halfrauds and replaced the battery. V annoying to say the least !
And yes its fairly common thing on Subaru's - alarm and tracker if fitted have a quite a high drain on the battery - especially this weather as all journeys lights, wiper, heaters on etc.
Richard
Charging it made no differance, got it jump started and drove to Halfrauds and replaced the battery. V annoying to say the least !
And yes its fairly common thing on Subaru's - alarm and tracker if fitted have a quite a high drain on the battery - especially this weather as all journeys lights, wiper, heaters on etc.
Richard
#3
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Huntingdon
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Lots of people have had this problem, especially if you have extra alarms/security. You could first try fitting a more powerful battery (60Ah instead of the standard 48Ah) although this didn't work for me, so I now connect a CTEK battery optimiser whenever I'm not going to use the car for a few days.
It tops the battery up whenever it drops to 95% of full charge, which is every few hours with my car. When I connect it to my bike, I never see it go into charge mode, which shows how quickly the car battery drains!
Never had problem since, although it's no good to me if I leave it in an airport car park for a week....
Also, read speedmeister's thread. His battery has died and has been replaced by a calcium one from Halfords with a 4 year guarantee (£85 fitted). Hopefully this is a better one than the original.
It tops the battery up whenever it drops to 95% of full charge, which is every few hours with my car. When I connect it to my bike, I never see it go into charge mode, which shows how quickly the car battery drains!
Never had problem since, although it's no good to me if I leave it in an airport car park for a week....
Also, read speedmeister's thread. His battery has died and has been replaced by a calcium one from Halfords with a 4 year guarantee (£85 fitted). Hopefully this is a better one than the original.
Last edited by Mark'sWRX; 04 January 2008 at 10:00 AM.
#4
![Default](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Had the same prob with mine but I'd left the interior light on ! Battery charged up again OK and that was a year ago - now it's 3yrs old and battery is all OK. I was told that switching on the headlights when driving activates the alternator and keeps the battery charged at a higher level and less likely to drain after being left for a week.
Tim
Tim
#5
Scooby Regular
![Default](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I remember reading on here that if you leave the interior fan on a low setting all the time this too kicks the alternator into a higher charge rate. 05WRX too
![Thumb](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif)
#7
Scooby Senior
iTrader: (51)
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Wherever I park my car, that's my home
Posts: 20,491
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
![Default](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
My car gets used once in a blue moon and I use the CTEK conditioner that Mark mentioned earlier. Starts first time every time, even after standing for 8 weeks in the current weather. Swear by them.
![Notworthy](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/smilies/notworthy.gif)
Trending Topics
#10
Scooby Regular
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Avoiding tractors and OAP's!!!
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
A known issue with Scoobs I'm afraid
. I had to replace mine on my old WRX (52 plate Bugeye) after it packed in after approx 3 years. I bought a more powerful battery from Halfords and never had anymore problems with it
.
Wolfie.
![Frown](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/smilies/frown.gif)
![Thumb](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif)
Wolfie.
#11
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Warrington
Posts: 4,554
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#12
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Half way up
Posts: 4,791
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
LOL, get yourself one of these and save 10kgs too..!![Wink](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)
https://www.scoobynet.com/group-buys...y-odyssey.html
![Wink](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)
https://www.scoobynet.com/group-buys...y-odyssey.html
#13
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Bishop Auckland
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Had exactly the same thing happen on more than one occassion. Finally got myself a Bosch Asia Siver series battery from Costco. I came back from China before Xmas after 3 weeks away and car jumped to life exactly as you would expect it to.
Bosch Car Batteries
Bosch Car Batteries
Last edited by kgt; 04 January 2008 at 04:07 PM.
#16
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
As mentioned above I've just had mine replaced but after 4.5 years. It did go flat about 6 months ago though for no obvious reason and was ok after jump starting until now.
Might as well take it to Halfords for a free drop test- a hand held gadget that tells you if the battery is knackered or not. Mine showed up as "unserviceable".
Good luck!
Might as well take it to Halfords for a free drop test- a hand held gadget that tells you if the battery is knackered or not. Mine showed up as "unserviceable".
Good luck!
#17
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Warrington
Posts: 4,554
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Exclamation](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon4.gif)
Don't you think that Halfords might have a vested interest in every tested battery showing up as unserviceable? Not that they would of course.
#18
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Spec C - 12.5 @ 110(340/350)
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Had the same problem in my P1, needed a new battery and a new alarm control unit, apparently it was causing the battery to drain. Luckily it was still under warranty.
#19
![Default](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Have been reading this and thought I better try my 05 STI as it has been sitting in the garage since before Christmas and guess what the battery is flat.Will put it on charge overnight and my cousin is going to check it to see if there is a faulty cell tomorrow.
#20
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Now now, let's not be so cynical!
Took the family Galaxy in for the same test a couple of weeks ago and they said it was fine and it was failing to start because of too many short journeys. We heeded their advice and took it for a long run and it's been fine since.
The hand held gadget is made by Bosch I think and you're invited to view it's verdict. I don't think the staff at Halfords really care if the company makes a profit or not!
#21
![Default](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Battery not being charged due to the alternator being a such not charging hte battery as nothing in the car was switched on for it to work. I.E sidelights or fan
The RAC Trackstar drains them due to a faulty circuit board
The batteries the dealership supplied wern't up to scratch
Last edited by jpor; 05 January 2008 at 09:03 PM.
#22
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Leicestershire, UK
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
this has just happened to me about 2 hours ago!
went to start the car and it didnt!
Cant beleive it, it happened last week as well and I got some one to come and see what were up with it ( it was free, so I thought might as well check it).
He said its a bit low but does NOT need changing.
Im going to buy one of those chargers tomorrow , hopefully it will work.
Its just one of those things that you dont really expect to go on a newish car.
went to start the car and it didnt!
Cant beleive it, it happened last week as well and I got some one to come and see what were up with it ( it was free, so I thought might as well check it).
He said its a bit low but does NOT need changing.
Im going to buy one of those chargers tomorrow , hopefully it will work.
Its just one of those things that you dont really expect to go on a newish car.
#23
Scooby Regular
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Here, There, Everywhere
Posts: 10,619
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#24
![Default](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
All I can say is that when i brought this issue up with my local dealer they were playing it down and therefore why I ended up having 2 battery replacements. Touch wood the current Varta jobby which I have had in the car for over a year has held up.
#25
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: on the B Roads..
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Mine was dead after a 6day stand this morning.. sat in the garage, dead with the alarm going mad for 10mins.. ended up putting another battery on it to start her, then swapping the Bosch one back on..
MY02 STi, with a Bosch Silver (2months old), Tracker, Alarm + Immob, PSi ECU Monitor, Turbo Timer (although I don't think that uses any power when the engines off)..
I take it I need to invest in a booster pack ?
MY02 STi, with a Bosch Silver (2months old), Tracker, Alarm + Immob, PSi ECU Monitor, Turbo Timer (although I don't think that uses any power when the engines off)..
I take it I need to invest in a booster pack ?
#26
![Default](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Mine was dead after a 6day stand this morning.. sat in the garage, dead with the alarm going mad for 10mins.. ended up putting another battery on it to start her, then swapping the Bosch one back on..
MY02 STi, with a Bosch Silver (2months old), Tracker, Alarm + Immob, PSi ECU Monitor, Turbo Timer (although I don't think that uses any power when the engines off)..
I take it I need to invest in a booster pack ?
MY02 STi, with a Bosch Silver (2months old), Tracker, Alarm + Immob, PSi ECU Monitor, Turbo Timer (although I don't think that uses any power when the engines off)..
I take it I need to invest in a booster pack ?
#27
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: on the B Roads..
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.scoobynet.com/images/icons/icon1.gif)
If you are like me and only use your scoob on and off each weekend, it would be worth it rather than have your neighbours complaining. The one I ended up buying for mine was from motorworld. It's basically looks like a Nokia Phone charger with the two battery clips. Seems to work for me.
Will have a look at those, but generally the scoob will be used every couple of days.. so should not be a regular problem, but don't want to get stuck somewhere without power, so the mobile booster packs seem a good idea. Going to get a 400amp one after work tomorrow, hopefully will be powerful enough to start her..
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post