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Posted on Aug 12, 2008

Recently, my wife's 1998 Subaru Outback has had electrical issues. We went to leave one morning and the battery was dead. I checked all the light switches and they were all in the off positions. I hooked up the battery charger and started the vehicle. Once power was returned and the car was running fine, I could hear a relay clicking under the front driver side dash and all the exterior lights (minus the headlights and back-up lights) were blinking in time to the relay. The other issue is that it stops randomly, so it is difficult to work with. I checked the fuses and they seem fine as well. We have had the car for 3 years and it has never done this before. Any ideas on where the short could be? Thanks, Joe Joe

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  • cunefam Aug 12, 2008

    Thanks,

    We bought the car used. I can't imagine this being a factory system. I am no wiz when it comes to electrical either. Do I just follow the clicking?

    I appreciate your time and help,

    Joe

  • Anonymous Nov 26, 2008

    I just encountered the same problem on my 96 Subaru after I had the alternator replaced. One user tried the band aid fix of removing the hazard warning flasher 15 amp fuse in position #27 in the engine compartment fuse panel. It could also be a bad lighting relay. I am still troubleshooting the problem.

  • Anonymous Dec 02, 2008

    If you had something replaced, it could be that the computer hasn't properly been reset.  I read in another solution column that rather than starting the car immediately after replacing the battery, just turn the ignition on until it lights up the dash, and then off and again two more times.  this solution was rated as fix ya, so I hope it works for you.  We are in the middle of trying to fix ours as I speak.

  • Anonymous Dec 13, 2008

    had the same problem electrical system doing strange things. No low beams then no emergency flashers abs light on then off wipers turn themselves on and off washer pump on all the time lights back on lights back off battery drains while sitting for a while. It turned out tobe 5 bare wires on the wire harness as the harness went through the fire wall shorting each other

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I had the same problem on our 1999 Forester after replacing the battery. Here was the solution I was given by Subaru Santa Cruz.
1) the key to the ON position where all the dash lights up. 2) disconnect the NEGATIVE battery terminal. 3) wait 15 seconds then reconnect the the battery. 4) start the engine from the ON position.
If this doesn't work, the car must be taken in for repair.

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  • Posted on Aug 12, 2008
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The first thing you need to do is figure out if the car has a factory or aftermarket security system them replace the clicking relay accordingly

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