Brack

Permanent all wheel drive 60% power to front and 40% to rear wheels under normal driving conditions.

Maybe you are looking at the X mode button? which when turned on takes away power from slipping / spinning wheel/s to give more power to the wheels that have grip.

Thanks Mr B, yes I checked for broken wires at the tailgate exit to body but didnt see anything obvious unless broken inside the cable insulation. Did find some green in the loom so water has got in somehow. I thought about trying a different tailgate loom but where do you stop paying money with no results.

Anyway Im happy with the set up that I have now - Mark attached a wire cable to open manually from  inside the tailgate door, each end screwed into a block connector so that I can grip and slide it to open.

Contacted my insurance to inform them as it is a wired in modification - they are fine with it. 

Had this Forester for 6 years now, it has been so reliable with no problems apart from wear and tear parts and the tailgate.

My next Subaru will be an 05 or earlier I think, taking advice from your previous posts. Although this one seems to go on forever 🙂

Tailgate switch failed completely in the end, took off the tailgate exterior garnish panel, bought a new switch, checked it for continuity and soldered it in but still no joy, tried a different lock / actuator from the breakers - still nothing, even after trying a different garnish panel.

Took the car to Mark my local mechanic who fitted a solenoid at the lock and a remote control unit in the engine bay - I now have an extra fob to open the tailgate which works 100% probably saving me a fortune at an auto  electricians 🙂

On 12/31/2024 at 8:01 PM, Rollercoaster said:

Same here, prefer a simple alternative with some kind of connectivity.

Mine is a 2010 Forester XS with the satnav and reversing camera, I really dislike the screen comes on all the time and doesnt connect to anything. I use my iphone for satnav and music or whatever, its so frustrating to not even have an aux input.

 

Surprised you dont have Aux, in my 08 XS its under the armrest in the storage box. theres a 12v socket next to it which is handy, I have a Bluetooth adapter plugged into Aux powered by a usb adapter plugged into the 12v socket.

On 12/31/2024 at 4:05 PM, Robert Pryor said:

Anyone know if I can somehow get bluetooth on my stock cd changer?  Or is there an aftermarket model that will fill the space.

I have a 2006 XE

Thanks

An FM Transmitter might be an option for you (Ive never had or tried one) - they pick up Bluetooth from your Bluetooth device and convert the signal to FM radio signal that can be played through your car radio. As I say ive never had one so I dont know how good they are - maybe have a look at some YT videos to get an idea.     

So does the fob still work to deactivate the alarm? 

The pin input instructions are on page 10 in the alarm instruction booklet mentioned earlier if you have it. 

Best wishes.       

The pin number comes from the factory on small silver sticker labels - they could still be in your handbook wallet - mine are stapled to a form called "Subaru UK Certificate of Compliance" I found mine in the Alarm System Operating Instructions booklet. - worth a quick look.

36 minutes ago, STAM said:

Thank you , was really nice but very narrow, good fun !!

It looked narrow, you had a sensible speed .. nice video.

Pleased you have got it sorted🙂 - Ive just been through all of this with mine, it was getting harder and harder to open untill it completely stopped opening at the switch. I took off the rear panel and changed the micro switch, also the lock actuator but still no joy.

Ended up going to my local garage for advice - Mark fitted a solenoid onto the tailgate lock with a remote control box fitted in the engine bay for me.

I now have two fobs (original fob and tailgate fob) The tailgate is opening fine now with the new fob.

I'd try putting a new Battery into one of the fobs anyway and try it - look for the sell by date on the new Battery blister pack - your 4 month old Battery could be a lot older than you think, it could be months and months before they are sold and you end up with a Battery that wont last as long as it should.   

Hi, well you have bought one of the best cars to do it in - enjoy your Forseter 👍

9 hours ago, STAM said:

https://youtu.be/D0z7i4Tt8Ow?si=HDjZPaVVkiQHRQGr

Nice little lane mate, lovely to see Forester's out and about 👍

If its the same kind of lock set up as mine - try pressing the tailgate release button twice when you open it (once for partial and again for full release) then the motorized closer might just close it properly for you...it works for me although mine is manual closing...worth a try though. 

Even better .. I Press the tailgate release button twice now (once for partial and again for full release) makes latching closed very easy compared to before.

Cheers

Looks like this chap found a way round it on his Outback.

If you have a local Timpsons they might be able to help with just a replacement case maybe.

Best wishes.

On 10/12/2023 at 12:32 PM, Judd said:

I have the standard 1 button key fobs which have the key as part of the fob itself.

Both of the keys work fine, but one of the keys the bottom half which is rubberised is past its best where its been in and out of my pocket and work bag.

Proving difficult fo find another fob case to transfer my working parts into, wouldn't mind a folding flip type that was meant for the 1 button key, Toyota OE keys are notoriously fragile and i bought a flip case for my Landcruiser which has proved much better than the original type which would break if you looked at them hard.

Any suggestions where to find the appropriate fob please?

Looks a bit pricey .... 

https://jdmaddict.co.uk/shop/replacement-flip-key-sigma-m30-fits-subaru-impreza-forester-legacy-fob-1998-2009/

I've always had to slam the tailgate door down hard for the latch to catch closed -  found the weatherstrip that runs along the bottom was not seated properly a while ago but even after putting that right it wasn't much better.

A crack even started to appear in the plastic bumper cover under the o/s tail light with all the slamming down.

Found that when I open the tailgate - if I hold the release button in for longer (3 to 5 seconds) it closes much better with a lot less force.

Hope this helps anyone with the same problem - just have to fix the crack now 🙂       

On 10/4/2023 at 5:45 PM, Judd said:

Interesting Brack.

I've refined my starting procedures and things are working consistently well, the secret seems to be to turn the ignition on, then leave it (as one would a Diesel allowing the glow plugs to warm up) for about 10 seconds or so whilst you sort your stuff out, then start up..incidentally i too find giving it a little throttle helps it to fire up straight away.

Might be interesting doing the above, ie leaving it a few seconds with the ignition on before attempting to start and see if that helps yours.

Thanks Judd, that sounds like a good plan to try out.

It's the only problem I have and only then in heatwave type temperatures - almost seems as though the fuel has evaporated from the injector lines...the only way I can describe it really.  

Cheers  

Mine is hard to start in very hot weather so the opposite to yours really. It will only start up with a squirt of the accellerator (automatic box).

Pleased you got yours sorted Judd. 

Yeah, although its a bit of a fiddle sometimes but the end result is just as good as buying entire new wipers. I just bought a pack from eBay and cut them to size...also if you get a wiper blade that splits for some reason you already have a emergency replacement on hand. 

Cheers      

Thanks Judd, I'll give my catch a check too.  

Problem gone - after slipping a disc in my back, the car was stood for seven weeks and the Battery went completely flat.

 After getting the car powered up again the tailgate problem disappeared, it must have reset with the flat Battery / disconnection.  Hope this helps if someone else gets the same problem.

Cheers 

Hi again, really pleased you found a Forester that your happy with in the end 🙂 

I had a look on eBay for the mirror that you want - I can only find ones in America though, heafty postage from there. I've never heard of those mirrors, interesting.  

All the best

Hi all

Problem has popped up with the tailgate, just wondering if anyone has had the same problem (SH model, press button start).

After unlocking the car with the fob (all doors 2 presses) the tailgate switch will not release the tailgate catch ...nothing happens (all other doors open fine). 

Curiously tailgate unlocks when I start the car then tailgate switch works ok - also the tailgate catch partially releases from closed when I turn off the engine.  

I've tried both of my working remotes but exactly the same happens.

Any thoughts much appreciated

Cheers

Brack.