Hi peeps,i am having a bit of a ball ache with my alarm on my 2003 sti type uk sucking my battery dry.....i have been told by my trusty subaru garage that this is a common problem with this car and the only way to deal with it is to put a issolator switch on my battery which i would need to turn off after using my car????? whats the point of that the *****!!!or fit a new alarm/immobilizer
has anyone else had this problem or does anyone know how to solve this mysterious mystery???
all help greatly appreciated of course
peace
simon

 

It could also be the tracker thats fitted on there that is the problem, I can run my alarm/immobiliser for say 1 month without starting the car, with the tracker it is 1 week as sometimes when its meant to go into "sleep mode" it doesnt and drains the battery.
options are driving with your lights on to recharge the battery due to the "smart" alternator, charging your battery on a weekly basis or replacing your tracking system with a less sensitive (power hungry) one.

Tony

 

The Trackstar draining the battery was a problem on many STi's of that era. Mine was the same. Subaru's initial fix was to replace the battery with a larger capacity one, but this only masked the problem. The problem was that some Trackstars would not go into 'sleep' mode and would draw too much current. A replacement unit was the only real cure. Mine was replaced and the problem cured.

JohnD

 

Exactly the same on mine. Contacted RAC Trackstar about the problem and they offered to send someone out to fix it.....Wait for it..........At the cost of £125 labour + Parts!!!

Bugger that, if i'm leaving the car for any sort of time i simply disconnect the battery. Certainly driving with side lights on and the fan running helps to top the battery up and lessens the drain by topping the battery voltage up.

 

As tony has said you need to drive with your side lights on,had same problem in the RB320 .Why they put SMART alternators on is a mystrey to me.

 

Get one of these: http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=217850
They used to be 19.99, these are probably better, than those ones, they may even sell the cheaper one still.

Only problem could be, in my Classic, the cigarette port isn't live whe ignition is off, so that may not work. But I would just hardwire it straight to the battery.

 

Yep. The "intelligent alternators" are a pain and not very intelligent.