AnnaOz Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 Hi, I am new to this forum so: Hi everybody. I have A Subaru Legacy Estate. I always wanted it, but now I realised that it can be costly to repair and to my frustration I haven't met anyone reliable and knowledgabe. If someone like me with out any technical knowledge senses that the guy that is 'repairing' your car doesn't really know what's wrong with it, it is really frustraiting. So I am looking for a Subaru enthusiast from or within reasonable distance from Midlothian (Scotland)/ Edinburgh. Can you please help? The issues are relating to the alternator, brakes and keys with the alternator being the most urgent one. Big thank you in advance Anna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Time Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 Hi Anna. I'm not exactly answering your question as I don't know the region you live in. However, issues with alternators and brakes are fairly ordinary parts of any vehicle to fix and to my knowledge don't require any specific Subaru specialists to deal with. The keys might be, but only due to ease of access to parts and I'd not be surprised to find most garages able to fix that issue too. By garages, I mean those that are VAT registered and qualified. Mind you, I'd avoid the likes of Halfords, Kwikfit and such. A competent independent garage should be able to sort all those issues for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnaOz Posted July 4, 2021 Author Share Posted July 4, 2021 Thank you Justin Time. I was hoping that the repairs will be straightforward but it is a reocurring problem and my local garage seems to get stuck in the loop. It breaks down, they fix it, it breaks down, they fix it. I want someone to know WHY it is breaking and fix it permanently. I am based just outside Edinburgh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Time Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 23 minutes ago, AnnaOz said: Thank you Justin Time. I was hoping that the repairs will be straightforward but it is a reocurring problem and my local garage seems to get stuck in the loop. It breaks down, they fix it, it breaks down, they fix it. I want someone to know WHY it is breaking and fix it permanently. I am based just outside Edinburgh Understood. Not sure if you're referring to a local Subaru Dealership, but in my experience the glossy dealerships are not the best at actual problem-solving such as fully investigating the source of an issue. Are there any local motoring forums that might recommend an independent garage in your area? One of the best national car forums is https://briskoda.net/ . I know you own a Subaru, but the forum is excellent and has a huge membership and so lots of 'traffic', and might be able to advice on a local garage. Again, without knowing how old your car is, I'd say smaller none-chain, independent garages tend to cater for cars that are out of warranty and so older, and with owners who aren't just prepared to cough up wads of cash periodically and who are more budget savvy. These garages also tend to encounter (and thereby gain experience) of technical issues that frequently only occur in older, higher mileage, vehicles. Hope you get it sorted asap. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Time Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 10 minutes ago, Justin Time said: Understood. Not sure if you're referring to a local Subaru Dealership, but in my experience the glossy dealerships are not the best at actual problem-solving such as fully investigating the source of an issue. Are there any local motoring forums that might recommend an independent garage in your area? One of the best national car forums is https://briskoda.net/ . I know you own a Subaru, but the forum is excellent and has a huge membership and so lots of 'traffic', and might be able to advice on a local garage. Again, without knowing how old your car is, I'd say smaller none-chain, independent garages tend to cater for cars that are out of warranty and so older, and with owners who aren't just prepared to cough up wads of cash periodically and who are more budget savvy. These garages also tend to encounter (and thereby gain experience) of technical issues that frequently only occur in older, higher mileage, vehicles. Hope you get it sorted asap. Apologies if I was 'stating-the-bleedin''-obvious' 🙂 No offense meant... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay762 Posted July 4, 2021 Share Posted July 4, 2021 Hi Anna - not familiar with your area so unable to provide a local recommendation but if you could share details on what the garage keeps repairing we may be able to shed some light on the issues? What year and model is your motor as well? Engine size if you know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnaOz Posted July 4, 2021 Author Share Posted July 4, 2021 Manufacturer: SUBARU Model: LEGACY SPORTS TOURER SPECIAL EDITION - 2.0i ES Nav Lineartronic 5dr Year: 2011 Transmission: Automatic Engine Size: 2000 The issue is with alternator sometimes heating up but not always. Went through two belt changes as it snaps if I don't realise that it is overheating. Then it is fine for handful of rides. Another issue is with the key- it works only sometimes. I was told to get new ones which would set me back 500. Both of my keys having the same fault seems odd and I would like someone trying to reprogram it first (if that's possible). I have asked on another forum and get a details of a garage, but I know that some of you guys here know your cars inside out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay762 Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 Hi Anna - has the alternator been replaced? J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnaOz Posted July 5, 2021 Author Share Posted July 5, 2021 Hi Jay, No, it hasn't been replaced but I'm sensing that it would be the first sensible thing to consider. My local garage advised that it is ok... But I am meeting a mechanic recommended by a friend today so he will properly test it and perhaps take care of it A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenmamba Posted July 5, 2021 Share Posted July 5, 2021 @AnnaOz - alternators shouldn't heat up to any significant extent nor snap belts. Is this a recent development - have you had this problem since owning the car? Anything to learn from recent MOT's - advisories etc? Also, what is the problem with the keys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnaOz Posted July 6, 2021 Author Share Posted July 6, 2021 @Greenmamba Mistery solved. Yesterday guy who years ago was taking care of our Accord came and solved it. With basic motoring knowledge and quick glimpse into the manual we established that the previous owner has used really 'great' garage. These eagles of motoring have managed to fit wrong drive belt and fit it where it shouldn't go. The belt was then lose and working as it shouldn't and therefore crumbling and causing all these troubles. My local garage hasn't realised the mistake and simply ordered the same belt and fited it the same way. Subaru service hasn't realised the mistake. Honestly? Anyway, when it comes to the keys after our first issue with the drive belt/alternator when the Battery died the keys stopped working. Both of them at the same time. The Subaru Service advised I should get new kesy as they are both faulty. I find it difficoult to believe as it would be a great coincidence that it happened at the time the Battery died. I assume that something de-programmed or I don't know what exactly but my gut feeling is the keys are not the problem. At the moment I use the keys to lock and unlock the car old way- turning it in a lock. If anyone forgets and presses the lock button, the car can either be unlocked by opening the tail gate (remote) and then using the key to unlock the door. Sometimes that doesn't work and we simply need to key in the code to stop the alarm blaring. Sorry for lenghty post but I hope it all makes sense. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenmamba Posted July 6, 2021 Share Posted July 6, 2021 @AnnaOzNoted. have you checked the cell Battery in each key/remote? It is unusual for the car Battery problems to cause issues with the remotes. And have you sorted the brakes problem mentioned in your first post? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay762 Posted July 6, 2021 Share Posted July 6, 2021 Great to hear one part is solved - I think it is too much of a coonincidence both keys going - as suggested I would replace the batteries and try a repairing if they dont automatically Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnaOz Posted July 6, 2021 Author Share Posted July 6, 2021 Batteries were replaced by me and also by Subaru Service (they do it as standard when dealing with key problems, even if you tell them they don't need to, as they don't believe you used right batteries). So batteries are fine. They can lock the car all day long it is just the unlocking that is an issue. The brakes will also be delt with by my 'old' mechanic. He instantly recognised that they need replacing. I'm picking discs and pads tomorrow and hopefully by the end of this week that will be sorted as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay762 Posted July 6, 2021 Share Posted July 6, 2021 1 hour ago, AnnaOz said: They can lock the car all day long it is just the unlocking that is an issue. As both units do not work that sounds like an internal relay activation issue - could a loose / broken connection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnaOz Posted July 6, 2021 Author Share Posted July 6, 2021 37 minutes ago, Jay762 said: As both units do not work that sounds like an internal relay activation issue - could a loose / broken connection That sounds like a good lead, thank you. What it means -in terms what to do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay762 Posted July 6, 2021 Share Posted July 6, 2021 I think there is a thread on it somehwere, there is a relay that triggers the door locks but sometimes the connections in the doors get exposed to moisture and can corrode or they break through vibration or movement - I am sure I have seen somewhere a broken wire close to where it goes through the door into the body of the car. It means pulling your interior door panel off to have a look at the wiring and connectors, you can also test to see if a signal is being sent when you use your key fob (a 12v bulb and some wire, put one -ve wire to earth and put the positive on the signal wire, press your key fob if the light flases it is getting the 12v signal to activate the relay) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnaOz Posted July 6, 2021 Author Share Posted July 6, 2021 @Jay762 Thank you for explaining that. I will do that (or make my hubby do that) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay762 Posted July 6, 2021 Share Posted July 6, 2021 5 minutes ago, AnnaOz said: @Jay762 Thank you for explaining that. I will do that (or make my hubby do that) Sounds like a plan - keep a camera handy as it can help with explaining things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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