A dead battery on a 2017 Subaru Forester may require only a simple fix. Did you leave on the headlights and drain the battery? Or is your battery old and unable to hold a charge? You may also have a more complex problem, including a bad alternator or electrical issues.
Your 2017 Subaru Forester is reliable. It’s gotten you through snow storms, traffic jams, and backcountry camping trips. Because you’ve come to depend upon your Forester, you’re shocked one morning to walk out to find your battery dead. Now what?
This short guide to Forester battery draining problems—put together by car insurance
super app Jerry
—provides an overview of possible causes as well as some solutions. We've even got an extra tip to lower your Subaru Forester insurance costs
from the convenience of your phone! What causes a 2017 Subaru Forester battery draining problem?
Generally speaking, a car battery
problem has three potential causes. Main causes of battery drain issues |
---|
Problem with the battery itself |
Alternator or electrical issue |
Driver error (you left the car lights on!) |
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars 4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Now, to diagnose which of these three general issues is causing the battery to drain, you need to ask yourself: when does the problem happen?
When parked: If your battery is dead after your Forester has been parked for a while, you may have a problem with the battery itself. It could be that the battery is old and doesn’t hold a charge anymore. On the other hand, something in the car could be draining power from the battery when it shouldn’t be. This is called a parasitic drain.
When driving: If your battery dies while you're driving or just after you’ve been driving, this indicates a potential problem with your alternator bracket
(or the battery cable
connecting to the alternator). How to fix the Subaru Forester’s battery draining problem
Fixing your battery problem depends upon its cause. Fortunately, auto part stores will test your battery and alternator for free.
The table below covers some common problems that cause battery drains and solutions as well.
| Approach to fixing the problem |
---|
Old battery that doesn’t hold a charge | Test the battery (for free) at an auto parts store. When fully charged, a battery should send 12.6 volts. If the battery is 4-5+ years old and is not able to hold a charge, replace the battery (unless the battery drains while you drive). |
Battery posts/terminals with corrosion on them | Remove the corrosion with a wire brush and cleaning fluid. |
Frayed wires/cables connecting battery to alternator | If you can see frayed cables and do not feel comfortable replacing them yourself, bring your Forester to a mechanic. |
| If you suspect your battery is being drained while you drive, get your alternator tested to see whether it’s still working correctly. Replace if necessary. |
| If your battery and alternator are fine, check to see whether small lights—such as those in a place like a glove compartment—remain on after you turn off your Forester. If you can’t find a drain yourself, take your car to a professional mechanic. |
How to save money on Subaru insurance
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