weak electrical system

[Yamazaki]

I'm having the issue of not being able to use two electrical items at once. For example: I can roll down one window, but if I try to roll down two windows at the same time they go VERY slow. And forget about trying to turn on the wipers when I have the rear defrost going (which isn't so strong anyway...).

So what do I need to do to make my electrical system as strong as new?

[Huffer]

Car is running?
Check your alternator & electrical connections
If the car isn't running, clean your battery terminals, check the age of your battery and the condition of your alternator.

Subaru ground systems aren't the best - they use very thin wire on the 90s and early 2000's models. Beefing up the grounds will help.

[Matty2Hotty]

Don't ask me but have the same problem in my 01 outback... New "larger" battery with more cold crank and running amps, changed the alternator, did a grounding mod and still... Not really sure but if you find something out let me know!

[httrdd]

Sound like grounding. Better alternator would work better, but that is just to charge your battery. Get a paranoid fabrications grounding kit.

[httrdd]

Don't ask me but have the same problem in my 01 outback... New "larger" battery with more cold crank and running amps, changed the alternator, did a grounding mod and still... Not really sure but if you find something out let me know!

What exactally is your issue? Do you have a thread about your problem?

[Matty2Hotty]

No don't ever think I made a thread... Might of. Have very slow wipers if I hold the up on the windows, lights of course always dim rolling down the window(s) or even if ac/defroster kicks on at idle. Had the alternator checked, was good and under warranty so they exchanged it for me just to see I had a defected one but still same stuff. I think it's a Subaru thing though.

[httrdd]

Subaru thing or not the power is not getting transferred properly. Alternator goes to battery power, then to you main relay, then throughout the car, then back to the negative. There has to be a reason for the lack of flow. Let me go over some diagrams and see what I can find.

[MRLancaster]

Same here, I think its just a subaru thing

[Yamazaki]

Have very slow wipers if I hold the up on the windows, lights of course always dim rolling down the window(s) or even if ac/defroster kicks on at idle.
Yeah, this is what is happening for me. I installed a grounding kit and that helped a little, but the power is still weak. I really hope I don't have to replace the alternator, because that doesn't look easy to get to...

Oh yeah, I probably should've said that this is all concerning the Cappuccino, but I thought that all electrical systems are the same at the basic level and didn't think it mattered.

[ouch1011]

An older car with a very small engine is going to have a very low output alternator. Maybe 50-60 amps. That doesn't amount to much when you start running a bunch of things, and it will be even worse at idle (maybe 30 amps peak output at idle)

[Yamazaki]

So are there such things as aftermarket, high output alternators?

[Danny-G]

I've heard of them and plan on getting one once mine quits.

[httrdd]

Hmmmm. Never new that.

[Kraziken]

Have very slow wipers if I hold the up on the windows, lights of course always dim rolling down the window(s) or even if ac/defroster kicks on at idle.
Yeah, this is what is happening for me. I installed a grounding kit and that helped a little, but the power is still weak. I really hope I don't have to replace the alternator, because that doesn't look easy to get to...

Oh yeah, I probably should've said that this is all concerning the Cappuccino, but I thought that all electrical systems are the same at the basic level and didn't think it mattered.

Wait. :smt017 Are the japanese Subaru motors configured different? Subaru's are one of the easiest cars to change an alternator on.

[chuckthefuk]

1) check outputs from alt and battle.
2) check corrosion on terminals.
3) check thay the ground cable is not obstructed by paint / rust
4) check for frayed or withered wires.

Using more than one window at a time uses an extreme amount of amps. Even though its 12 volts they are wired in parallel which drops the amount of current that each window gets.

Now here's a question for you. Have you actually driven the Suzuki or just let it idle? Alternator charge unless a proper rpm is reached for a consistent amount of time. So even though the car is at idle the alternator is only putting out enough to keep the electrical system active.

Also isn't the cappuccino made put of mostly fiberglass and plastic? Are you sure your grounds are proper?


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[Yamazaki]

Yeah, this is what is happening for me. I installed a grounding kit and that helped a little, but the power is still weak. I really hope I don't have to replace the alternator, because that doesn't look easy to get to...

Oh yeah, I probably should've said that this is all concerning the Cappuccino, but I thought that all electrical systems are the same at the basic level and didn't think it mattered.Wait. :smt017 Are the japanese Subaru motors configured different? Subaru's are one of the easiest cars to change an alternator on.

You didn't read what I wrote. I highlighted the pertinent section.


1) check outputs from alt and battle.
2) check corrosion on terminals.
3) check thay the ground cable is not obstructed by paint / rust
4) check for frayed or withered wires.

Using more than one window at a time uses an extreme amount of amps. Even though its 12 volts they are wired in parallel which drops the amount of current that each window gets.

Now here's a question for you. Have you actually driven the Suzuki or just let it idle? Alternator charge unless a proper rpm is reached for a consistent amount of time. So even though the car is at idle the alternator is only putting out enough to keep the electrical system active.

Also isn't the cappuccino made put of mostly fiberglass and plastic? Are you sure your grounds are proper?
I've been driving it everyday. And I did suggestions 1~3 already. I checked Cappuccino owner blogs and they like to upgrade their alternators to 65 amp ones. I have a 50 amp (when it was new). But like I said earlier, the DIY ground wires helped a lot. They just didn't bring everything to the speed I'm used to with the Subarus. The window motors may be the problem too.
Oh, and the car is almost completely made out of aluminum. So dents suck.

[ouch1011]

Another option if the 65A alternator isn't enough is you could get the alternator re-wound to produce higher output. I've never had it done personally, but it is electrically possible. If the rotor and stator in the alternator are rewound with more wiring, and the diode pack is upgraded to handle it, the alternator could produce more power. There are aftermarket higher output alternators out there, but unless you can find one for your specific application, its kind of a pain to get it mounted. Another option would be a smaller pulley on the alternator. Probably not the easiest option, but its an option none the less.

[Quest]

Here is a link for high output Subaru alternators http://www.maniacelectricmotors.com/subaru.html This company has them for most Subies and will even chrome plate for extra $$$. I have seen many suggest a grounding kit, but that is only 1/2 of the electrical upgrade. The link posted has proper photos of a Subaru power upgrade. Google "Big 3 Upgrade". When I did the big 3 I just piggy-backed the 4 gauge over the existing stock wiring. Clean/Strong wiring connections should go without saying. A Powerful/Healthy group 35 battery is vital.

[dodik]

another thing that might help a bit is smaller alt pulley so it always spins faster dont know if they made'em for the Mocha though ;)