[flueckysubie]

Yesterday morning my 15' outback would not start - lights blinking when pressing start button and i realize the overhead light was left on, so i jump start and go about my morning..

A few hours later, go to start car and its dead again. So i jumped it again, and as soon as i get in i notice something was wrong. Engine was idling louder than normal and when i put in gear it was shaking really bad and once i accelerated up to 10-15 mph it would stall out and not want to accelerate more.

Luckily dealership is a couple miles away so i get it there with out accelerating past 20 mph. 3 hours later they call and tell me all i needed was a "system update" for my transmission and it was all good. Asked them if they looked at the battery and they said yes it also needed an update and recharge. pick the car up and all is good. they said that the dead battery must have sent a signal to get the update. I just wonder why the car was stalling if all it need was an update?? or if the dead battery could have been causing the driving issue?? how do we know when our OB'S need these system updates? I will note, i did not let the battery charge very long while jumping.

I left the dealership confused but relieved it didn't cost me a dime. i just dont want to worry about this all of the time... any feedback would be appreciated.

Thank You

 

[kmills1]

I'd give the dealer a call and ask them exactly what they did.

 

[flueckysubie]

I'd give the dealer a call and ask them exactly what they did.

i am explaining exactly what they told me. i am just curious if a similar problem has happened?

 

[ammcinnis]

they said that the dead battery must have sent a signal to get the update.

Another amazing factoid! (Assuming that's what they actually said.)

I just wonder ... if the dead battery could have been causing the driving issue??

Yes.

 

[johnre]

The dealer's service organization clearly lacks some communications skills on the more technical aspects of whatever it was they did, and yes they did actually suggest something that would appear to defy the laws of physics as @ammcinnis pointed out, but I wouldn't infer anything malicious out of all of this. Lots of people work in technical areas and lack said skills.

Your basic issue - having enough confidence in your car so you don't have to worry all the time - should have been taken care of, and if you don't leave the interior lights on and eventually replace that now-3 year old battery, you should be OK.

 

[flueckysubie]

Thanks for the replies i called a couple dealerships and got a better explanation. the gal relaying the info did not really know what was going on.