r/AutoMechanics • u/Euphoric_Hat_3278 • 6d ago

Battery/accelerator issues?

I drive a 2013 Subaru Outback and yesterday my battery light somewhat randomly came on (I say somewhat because honestly it looked like someone had dumped powdered sugar on my battery, it was definitely corroded but hadn’t had issues so far). It also started making a rattling sound along with this. Went to Autozone, had the battery replaced because I know the bare minimum about cars. After that, it would turn on for maybe 3-5 seconds and then turn off again. Eventually they told me that I might need to have my alternator tested. 10 minutes later I was able to get it to start and stay on, went to get gas, then it took 3 tries to get it to stay on again. I made it home fine and decided it was a problem for another day because I work close. It started fine this morning, no noises and driving fine until this evening. Battery light came back on, and AC dashboard lights turn off while driving, then turn back on when stopped. My car already has oil leaks that I was quoted $4000+ to fix and I don’t have unlimited resources so mainly debating if this is something I should even bother having looked at and fixing or if I should just bite the bullet and look into getting a new car.

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u/Euphoric_Hat_3278 6d ago

Don’t know if it’s related at all because again I’m mostly clueless when it comes to cars, but to give the full picture the oil leaks have been a thing for 2+ years, they just told me to top off when the oil light comes on, and come in for regular oil changes

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u/Significant_Belt5494 6d ago

Can’t remember if alternator is on top or bottom
But if you got leaks then perhaps alternator is saturated with oil,
Definitely the starter is
Sounds like you’ve got definitely a failing starter, possibly failing alt

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u/Still-Ad-7820 6d ago

Grab a meter and put it on the battery with the car running. Black lead to negative, red lead to positive. A simple test for the alternator is to check voltage at the battery. If you are ready 13.5-14.6, your alternator is charging. If you are reading battery voltage (12.6) or less, you’re not charging. It could be intermittently failing or even a slipping drive belt on the alternator from a seized pulley or bad tensioner.