WRX intermittent ABS light & loss of power

[NicholasYeo_101060]

I am having an issue with my 07 WRX recently. When stopping at traffic light for a long time, my ABS light comes on intermittently and when it does, my voltmeter reading drops below 10 and my radio goes off. After a while the voltmeter reading will go up, the ABS light goes off and the radio comes back on. When moving off, the car feels like there is a loss of power momentarily and will lurch forward for a bit if the ABS light is still on. Once I hit normal speeds the problem disappears. Once in a while the Check Engine Light will come on too. 

 

I sent it to a workshop today, and I ended up paying $50 for them to just tell me that there is some part that is probably failing, but there is no way for them to know until there is a permanent light. As the car is going to be scrapped next year, I don't want to spend $$$ on a wild goose chase to fix this problem. But at the same time I am driving Grab at night, so when the car lurches forward it's not comfortable for the passengers as well. I just got this car recently in April. Anyone experienced something similar before and can give advice?

Have a short video here of the problem happening (pardon poor quality)https://youtu.be/t77PVht05GA

[Watwheels]

Only a OBDII diagnostic scan tool will be able to tell what the error/fault code is. From there you Google the fault code for your particular car make/model. You will be able to know what part is faulty.

 

FYI a Check Engine Light will generate a fault code. So unless the CEL stays on permanently dan the workshop ppl is able to use the scan tool to find out what the fault code is. If it doesn't stay on or have a permanent record in the computer log nobody will be able to do anything.

 

The only cheap solution is to wait for the part to get worse until a permanent CEL stays on. If this part fails it might render your car undrivable or totally stall and unable to start. So be prepared.

[Alphas]

ABS light up when the voltage drops below the threshold level. This means that the alternator is not charging the battery and it will fall below that level, if not something else is causing the voltage drop.

[ChickenMob]

could be alternator or other things. trying cleaning your MAF sensor.

previously my forester was also having the blinking engine light and power loss, need to step alot harder just to get to 60km....as advised by some bros, gave the MAF sensor a clean up then its ok liow

[NicholasYeo_101060]

I will give the sensor cleanup a try. But yeah I guess it seems I can only wait it out to really know the problem =( Will be a pain if the car fails when I am grabbing.

 

I am just wondering if it is the alternator problem, shouldn't the problem be more consistent. And not like when I am braking and coming to a stop or moving off from a stop.

Edited June 12, 2016 by NicholasYeo_140592

[1fast1]

Which workshop are you going to? Workshops that charge you 50 bucks to tell you what you already know are not worth patronising.

 

If you want a recommendation, PM me. I was in the Scooby scene for a long time in an earlier phase of life (my nick is a remnant).

Edited June 12, 2016 by Turboflat4

[UncleAtas]

You GrabCar using Rex? Not overkill meh???

Edited June 13, 2016 by Sickboi

[ChickenMob]

by the way there are a few pro workshops for Subaru around.

 

can seek a 2nd advice if they problem is getting more annoying.

[Bird5011]

bro I had this problem before on my 07 Rex. Checked the alternator was working good, just change the battery all came good. Hope it helps.

[Yeobh]

I am having an issue with my 07 WRX recently. When stopping at traffic light for a long time, my ABS light comes on intermittently and when it does, my voltmeter reading drops below 10 and my radio goes off. After a while the voltmeter reading will go up, the ABS light goes off and the radio comes back on. When moving off, the car feels like there is a loss of power momentarily and will lurch forward for a bit if the ABS light is still on. Once I hit normal speeds the problem disappears. Once in a while the Check Engine Light will come on too. 

 

I sent it to a workshop today, and I ended up paying $50 for them to just tell me that there is some part that is probably failing, but there is no way for them to know until there is a permanent light. As the car is going to be scrapped next year, I don't want to spend $$$ on a wild goose chase to fix this problem. But at the same time I am driving Grab at night, so when the car lurches forward it's not comfortable for the passengers as well. I just got this car recently in April. Anyone experienced something similar before and can give advice?

 

Have a short video here of the problem happening (pardon poor quality)https://youtu.be/t77PVht05GA

 

Start by doing a high discharge test on the battery and check the live and ground battery connections.

If the battery is in good health and there is no poor ground battery connection , proceed to check the battery connection and do a charging voltage and amp test.

If all the above tests is Ok , then check yr ABS unit - brake fluid condition and level  ( also do no forget to make sure the master brake fluid cover is proper fixed.

Hope this helps

 

[NicholasYeo_101060]

Just a quick update to all who may be looking for solutions to similar problem. I changed the battery and the problems seemed to go away. The only exception is that the voltage still dip below 12 occasionally so I will be keeping an eye and hoping the problem doesn't resurface.

 

Thanks all!