Several features dont work all of a sudden. - Subaru Outback

cbgsc · 10-24-2006, 09:28 AM

'99 OBW Ltd.

Seat heater doesn't work (both switches - lights dont come on and no heat in seat) They have always worked before.

Sun visor lights (both sides) don't work.

I'm thinking its just a fuse that needs to be replaced, because I checked the wiring and nothing is unplugged or looks abnormal (for the seat heater). I was looking in the manual and the fuse part is confusing - not sure where 2 of the fuse boxes are (supposedly under the dash)? But there is no fuse listing for the visor lights. Any chance these two problems are connected or related?

**The_Lizard** · 10-24-2006, 10:26 AM

Should be the same circuit as the cig lighters (front and rear)

cbgsc · 10-26-2006, 09:27 AM

Ok, so I checked the fuses for the seat heater and for the 'cigar mirrors' and it turned out the mirror fuse was blown but the seat heater fuse was fine. So, I replaced the mirror fuse and then BOTH the mirrors and the seat heaters worked again. I dont understand how these are connected, as there is a separate fuse for each. Anyway, last night as I was driving, I had on my seat heater and everything was fine. This morning, neither work again. I put the right fuse in (20). Is there any more specifics to buying the right fuse?? I'm not understanding what is going on here.

wilsonhp · 10-26-2006, 12:49 PM

Fuses don't normally just go bad on their own. Something has happened to cause excessive current draw, which is melting the fuse. DON'T just put in a bigger fuse.

There is probably a point in the wiring where the insulation has worn, and there is an intermittant short to ground. This needs to be found and fixed to stop future fuses from blowing.

Fuses are your friends. They prevent things from catching fire... Take what they are telling you seriously. Get some professional help if you need to.

**The_Lizard** · 10-26-2006, 01:54 PM

Are you running extra accessorties off those power ports (lighters)?

**porcupine73** · 10-26-2006, 08:09 PM

Could be something fishy with the seat heater making it draw more current than normal. That thing probably draws at least 10amps would be my guess. Maybe you could put an ammeter in series with the fuse and see what kind of current draw you're getting.

10-24-2006, 09:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
cbgsc Legionairre Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 32 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Several features dont work all of a sudden. '99 OBW Ltd. Seat heater doesn't work (both switches - lights dont come on and no heat in seat) They have always worked before. Sun visor lights (both sides) don't work. I'm thinking its just a fuse that needs to be replaced, because I checked the wiring and nothing is unplugged or looks abnormal (for the seat heater). I was looking in the manual and the fuse part is confusing - not sure where 2 of the fuse boxes are (supposedly under the dash)? But there is no fuse listing for the visor lights. Any chance these two problems are connected or related?

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10-24-2006, 10:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
The_Lizard Tokyo's between my toes Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ohio Car: 2001 Wintergreen Outback 5MT Posts: 6,511 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Should be the same circuit as the cig lighters (front and rear)

10-26-2006, 09:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
cbgsc Legionairre Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 32 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Ok, so I checked the fuses for the seat heater and for the 'cigar mirrors' and it turned out the mirror fuse was blown but the seat heater fuse was fine. So, I replaced the mirror fuse and then BOTH the mirrors and the seat heaters worked again. I dont understand how these are connected, as there is a separate fuse for each. Anyway, last night as I was driving, I had on my seat heater and everything was fine. This morning, neither work again. I put the right fuse in (20). Is there any more specifics to buying the right fuse?? I'm not understanding what is going on here.

10-26-2006, 12:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
wilsonhp Cheesehead Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wisconsin Car: '03 Outback H6-3.0 Black Granite Pearl Posts: 749 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Fuses don't normally just go bad on their own. Something has happened to cause excessive current draw, which is melting the fuse. DON'T just put in a bigger fuse. There is probably a point in the wiring where the insulation has worn, and there is an intermittant short to ground. This needs to be found and fixed to stop future fuses from blowing. Fuses are your friends. They prevent things from catching fire... Take what they are telling you seriously. Get some professional help if you need to.

10-26-2006, 01:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
The_Lizard Tokyo's between my toes Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ohio Car: 2001 Wintergreen Outback 5MT Posts: 6,511 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Are you running extra accessorties off those power ports (lighters)?

10-26-2006, 08:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
porcupine73 I :heart: SUBARU Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Buffalo, NY USA Car: '00OBW, '96&'94 Legacy Posts: 4,721 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Could be something fishy with the seat heater making it draw more current than normal. That thing probably draws at least 10amps would be my guess. Maybe you could put an ammeter in series with the fuse and see what kind of current draw you're getting.

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