On-Vehicle Inspection

CAUTION:

Never disconnect the battery while the engine is running.
Check that the battery cables are correctly connected to the terminals.
Do not connect the battery cables during quick charging.

Inspection of the battery fluid level
1. Fluid level inspection
  1. If the level is below LOW, either replace the battery or replenish the level by pouring in distilled water.
Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Checking of the battery specific gravity
1. Check the specific gravity of the fluid in each battery cell.
  Standard value: 1.25 - 1.29 (At fluid temperature of 20°C {68°F})
NOTE: If this is less than the standard value, recharge the battery.

Battery voltage check

In order to remove the surface charge, with the ignition turned to IG OFF, turn the headlight switch to ON for approximately 20 to 30 seconds.
Turn the headlight switch to OFF.
Measure the battery voltage between terminals. Voltage

Inspection terminals	Inspection conditions	Standard value
Positive battery terminal - Negative battery terminal	Fluid temperature 20°C {68°F}	12.5 - 12.9 V

NOTE: If this is less than the standard value, recharge the battery.

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Inspection of the battery terminals, fusible links, and fuses
1. Check that the battery terminals are not loose or corroded.
2. Check that there is continuity through the fusible links and fuses.
Checking of the fan & alternator V-belt
NOTE: Only perform this inspection if you plan on reusing it. (Refer to ON-VEHICLE INSPECTION )
Inspection of the alternator wiring harness
1. Check that there are no cracks or deterioration in the wiring harness.
Checking for strange noises originating from the alternator
1. Check that no strange noises come from the alternator during engine starting.
Inspection of the charge warning light
1. Warm up the engine and turn the ignition to IG OFF.
2. Turn all of the electrical device switches to OFF.
3. Turn the ignition to IG ON and confirm that the charge warning light illuminates.
4. Confirm that this light turns off after starting the engine.
NOTE: If the light does not behave as specified above, perform troubleshooting for the charge warning light circuit.

No load test

Inspection of the charging circuit
1. When under no load, measure the battery voltage when the engine speed is increased up to 2000 r/min.

VOLTAGE SPECIFICATION

Inspection terminals	Inspection conditions	Standard value
B terminal - Chassis ground	20 A or less	11.3 - 15.6 V

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Load test

Start under the same conditions as the no load test, turn the headlights to high beam and the heater blower switch to Hi and immediately measure the current when the engine speed reaches 2000 r/min.

CURRENT VALUE SPECIFICATION

Inspection terminals	Inspection conditions	Standard value
B terminal - Positive battery terminal	Always	30 A or more

NOTE: If the battery is fully charged even though a current is shown that is at the standard value or less, as the current becomes small, operate other devices such as the wiper motor or the rear window defogger to increase the load and perform the measurement again.

Inspection of the charging control system

Inspection of the wiring harness
1. Disconnect the engine control computer connector A33.
2. Disconnect the alternator ASSY connector A81.
3. Measure the resistance between the terminals.

STANDARD VALUE RESISTANCE SPECIFICATION (OPEN CIRCUIT CHECK)

Inspection terminals (Terminal symbol)	Inspection conditions	Standard value
A33-21 (LIN) - A81-1 (C)	Always	Less than 1 Ω

STANDARD VALUE RESISTANCE SPECIFICATION (SHORT CIRCUIT CHECK)

Inspection terminals (Terminal symbol)	Inspection conditions	Standard value
A33-21 (LIN) and A81-1 (C) - other terminals and chassis ground	Always	10 kΩ or more