[Wolverine12]

How did you find out the alternator was going bad?

I notice sometimes the voltmeter on my Ultragauge goes down to the 12's but so far I'm presuming that's a feature of the so-called "fuel saving" charging system.

The battery light flashed on then off twice in 10 minutes. I have a Bluetooth OBD reader plugged into my OBD input on the car and a matching app (well worth it). I just opened the app on my phone and saw the voltage fluctuating 11.2 - 12.5 volts at first then dropping over the next 30 minutes. When my cruise control turned off, lost my speedo and tachometer, power steering and every dash warning light came on, I figured something was wrong.
On a good system you really should never see the voltage drop below 11.5 volts.

 

[AWDfreak]

12.5 volts is below 100% charge last I recall, damn...

If I ever see around 11 volts consistently on my Ultragauge, I'll take heed of your experience and advice on that. Thanks for sharing the info, though fellow moderator RallyeBourne is more likely to see alternator failure than I am with my current driving habits.

 

[Wolverine12]

Reverse light switch....again

I'm begining to see a pattern here. 272,000 miles and I have to replace my reverse light switch again. Ok, ok, it's not that big of an issue. This is an inexpensive part and it only takes about 10 minutes to replace but it is annoying. The switch will go out over a period of a couple of weeks so it's not drastic however, the problem comes when it completely quites, you lose the hill start? Strange but you know it's completely gone when the hill start light on the instrument panel lights up.

 

[stupidchicken03]

How many times have you had to replace it now?
And within how many miles since the original one?

 

[Nanook]

This is my favorite thread! Love the updates. I would have enjoyed a pic by pic (step by step) tutorial on all the maintenance you have done. I am also a Jeep guy and one of the best things about that community is you can google/ YouTube/ and check the forums for the answer to almost every Jeep problem and fix out there.

 

[AWDfreak]

That is quite strange for the reverse switch to fail multiple times in such an interval. Perhaps there may be an underlying issue related to the reverse switch circuit?

 

[Wolverine12]

How many times have you had to replace it now?
And within how many miles since the original one?

The first switch went at 150k and now the scond went at 272k so it's been about 122k between switches.

 

[Wolverine12]

This is my favorite thread! Love the updates. I would have enjoyed a pic by pic (step by step) tutorial on all the maintenance you have done. I am also a Jeep guy and one of the best things about that community is you can google/ YouTube/ and check the forums for the answer to almost every Jeep problem and fix out there.

Very glad you're enjoying this thread. I hope everyone gets some use from this somewhere down the line. My main priority has usually been to just get it fixed quick. I have had requests for pics so I will try to start video documentation with this next repair. I am going to try an aftermarket switch this time so it has to be ordered. I'll post here after it's done.
Thx,

 

[Wolverine12]

That is quite strange for the reverse switch to fail multiple times in such an interval. Perhaps there may be an underlying issue related to the reverse switch circuit?

I agree that this is a short 'time' interval as should be considered normal however, I think we can all agree that I'm far from normal (?). I ran the numbers and figuring that I back up an average of 8 times a night, 5 nights a week for 16 months, I have engaged that switch a little over 2,600 times (ok, I have a lot of introspective time). I really think the issue is mechanical rather than electrical. I just replaced the last one chalking it up to a fluke and never compared the old to new. This time I will compare the 2 and check to see if I notice any excessive wear or possible corrosion on the switch itself. I'll post the results here as soon as the new switch comes in.

 

[Wolverine12]

A note for consideration;

While this thread may show many issues and repairs, keep in mind that even though this car is not that old, you need to consider all of the factors. Factors such as mileage, dust, road salt, heat, cold and vibration. Most drivers will not come across most of these issues for as long as they own their car. My Crosstrek runs 16 hours a night, 5 nights a week, 52 weeks a year (what vacation?). That's approximately 200,000 miles every 12 months! In the coming months and years you will see more frequent postings about issues and repairs. These are not meant as negative comments on the Crosstrek, rather they are comments to show what to expect. I hope that these future postings will help when you have a strange noise or vibration and will help to educate you whether you are a backyard mechanic or just to be more informed when your mechanic gives you a bill.
I consider all of the issues I have had so far normal wear and tear for the most part. Anything out of the ordinary would be computer issues, engine, transmission and differential. I have been very pleased with the Crosstrek as a whole and hope it will give me many more years of reliable service.

 

[stupidchicken03]

Ive never read or taken your postings as angry and upset with issues that have come up. Ive taken them as you just stated, as information and a "heads up" to those who are reaching higher mileage.

 

[AWDfreak]

As stupidchicken03 said, I don't perceive it as angry but just as a matter-of-fact considering you are likely the highest-mileage driving Subaru XV Crosstrek driver known on the web. Your input is highly regarded, especially for those who still drive quite a lot of miles (just not up to your scale of use!).


BTW, if you don't mind my request, would you also be kind enough to include engine oil analysis results that are labeled with both mileage driven as well as hours the engine was run during that oil change interval? I'm going to start doing that since I've significantly increased my urban driving use and especially an increase in idle times.

 

[Pastor passum]

Favorite thread

Wolverine12, just wanted to thank you for taking the time to share your experiences with your CrossTrek. Although I'll never come close to amassing the miles you do, I read all your posts with interest. I know of no one else with the perspective you have concerning long term durability of our cars. I just wish you had a CVT as that's probably my main concern or curiosity as to durability. Again....thanks.

 

[Wolverine12]

Ive never read or taken your postings as angry and upset with issues that have come up. Ive taken them as you just stated, as information and a "heads up" to those who are reaching higher mileage.

Thanks stupidchicke03. I'm glad to hear that these posts are percieved that way.

 

[Wolverine12]

As stupidchicken03 said, I don't perceive it as angry but just as a matter-of-fact considering you are likely the highest-mileage driving Subaru XV Crosstrek driver known on the web. Your input is highly regarded, especially for those who still drive quite a lot of miles (just not up to your scale of use!).


BTW, if you don't mind my request, would you also be kind enough to include engine oil analysis results that are labeled with both mileage driven as well as hours the engine was run during that oil change interval? I'm going to start doing that since I've significantly increased my urban driving use and especially an increase in idle times.

The oil analysis does include mileage on it but there isn't an easy way to calculate hours run without an hour meter installed on the car. My hours run figures would be a guess at this point.
That is an interesting idea that I haven't thought about. I'll try to install one in the next couple of weeks and see if I can come up with some numbers for you.

 

[Wolverine12]

Wolverine12, just wanted to thank you for taking the time to share your experiences with your CrossTrek. Although I'll never come close to amassing the miles you do, I read all your posts with interest. I know of no one else with the perspective you have concerning long term durability of our cars. I just wish you had a CVT as that's probably my main concern or curiosity as to durability. Again....thanks.

Pastor passum,
Thank you for the feedback. I understand your interest in the CVT reliability. I had considered the CVT before going with the MT however, my concerns were also about reliability and as no one had, as yet, achieved any 'significant' mileage (as far as I was concerned)so I decided to go with the MT. I may very well be the one to post those reliability numbers in the coming years as I have 3.5 years left with this car and I may opt for the CVT on my next vehicle.
As I understand it, there have been no significant issues with the CVT.

 

[AWDfreak]

The oil analysis does include mileage on it but there isn't an easy way to calculate hours run without an hour meter installed on the car. My hours run figures would be a guess at this point.
That is an interesting idea that I haven't thought about. I'll try to install one in the next couple of weeks and see if I can come up with some numbers for you.

I don't know if your OBD-II equipment monitors engine hours run, but my UltraGauge certainly does. I reset it every time I change my oil to get an accurate time of engine run with the oil.

I'll try to get some UOA's up this year with engine oil hours run myself.

 

[Wolverine12]

Reverse light switch update

I don't know if your OBD-II equipment monitors engine hours run, but my UltraGauge certainly does. I reset it every time I change my oil to get an accurate time of engine run with the oil.

I'll try to get some UOA's up this year with engine oil hours run myself.

My OBD-II does not monitor engine hours because its an intermittent use monitor. I have ordered an engine hours run monitor so I'll get that on soon.
An update on the tranny reverse switch. I was wrong about it being mechanical, its definately the electrical portion of the switch that's the culprit. The old one I just pulled out is completely dead but the switch plunger still works fine. This time I opted for an AirTek switch instead of the OEM switch.
UPDATES TO FOLLOW.

 

[Wolverine12]

CV joint tick, tick, tick, tick

290,000 miles and I'm hearing that occasional telltale tick, tick, tick, tick when I make a right turn under power. So, it's time to pull the front right CV half shaft. It's really not a bad job and with the right tools it can be done in about 45 minutes. I expect to get at least 250,000 miles from a CV joint with my kind of driving so I'm pretty happy with this.

 

[RallyeBourne]

290,000 miles and I'm hearing that occasional telltale tick, tick, tick, tick when I make a right turn under power. So, it's time to pull the front right CV half shaft. It's really not a bad job and with the right tools it can be done in about 45 minutes. I expect to get at least 250,000 miles from a CV joint with my kind of driving so I'm pretty happy with this.

Just a heads up, don't buy Heri axles. Quality is beyond poor. I *believe* you 5MT folks have some aftermarket options. Even if you don't, I promise it's worth the $400 price tag to get OEM over Heri.


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