Jack.Sparrow

Hi All,

I've got an 06 Subaru Impreza i (that's the base model, 2L non turbo). Ever since I bought it, it's start has been kinda weak, like it's got a low battery.

I had it serviced recently and mentioned this problem, they did their checks and told me that the voltage drops were fine, so was the battery charge. They did however say that there was a bit of rust on the terminals .

Anyone know why it's doing what it's doing?

qldit

Good Morning Jack.Sparrow, it may be worth measuring the battery voltage during cranking and see if it is dropping below 9 volts.
If it is check the battery SG with a hydrometer, it should be better than 1240 when it is charged.

Generally that kind of effect is due to a poor capacity battery or a starter motor that has a problem.

From memory that starter motor is a small geared type and contains 4 brushes, if one pair is worn or has a problem, cranking is slow and current drain is higher than normal and produces that effect, but it may well be the battery or the battery charging system not working properly.

The hydrometer check should give an idea of the battery charge state, and if you can obtain a meter you might try measuring the battery voltage during cranking, if it drops below 9 volts it suggests there is a problem.
Leaving the meter on the battery and holding the engine running at a stiff idle should allow an increasing voltage measurement after a few minutes to the order of 14 volts across the battery, this will indicate that the alternator is operating and charging properly.

Those motors usually crank pretty smartly so you will get an idea from your tests as to what may be the problem.

Those pithy little batteries often run out of guts or become depleted in capacity through sulphation, but the starters are also often involved as mentioned.

Ensure the battery is correcly topped up with distilled water.

Cheers, qldit.

Jack.Sparrow

Thanks qldit, I'll do all that and see how it goes.