2001 subaru legacy charging problem

11 1/2 to 12 1/2 is not charging . That's less then battery state of charge , Battery stat of charge should be 12.6 volts , when charging with a volt meter you should see 13.1 to 14.1 volt at the battery posts . Is there a battery symbol lit on your instrument cluster ? Is there battery B+ voltage at the wires hooked to the alternator How to Test an Alternator

ensure battery terminals are clean and cables are tight and intact. check fuses and fusible link in main fuse panel. also ensure that you alternator is charging the battery during operation. any auto parts retailer for the most part will check these things at no charge.

Hi Michael, Go to the dealer and have the charge rate of the alternator checked, check the belts and make sure your new battery is good? Regards John

Hi it sounds like there is no charge getting to your battery, first make sure your alternator belt is tight and plugs are all done up, then check your battery is good and connections are tight, if all check out ok i would get you alternator tested as it may not be generating enough electricity to keep power going to the battery

The charge rate of 14 volt shows that your alternator is responding as it should and is doing its best to recharge the battery. Even with a fully charged battery if you switch on the power hungry electrical items (main headlights, rear window demist heater etc) you should see the alternator respond by pushing out 14+ volts. A low battery will show about 12.2 volts when disconnected. OK you need to find what is draining your battery when the car is switched off. With the car off disconnect the negative terminal and measure the current flowing between the disconnected cable and the negative terminal, it should very very low, just enough to keep the clock running. If you do have residual current flow, remove and return each fuse one at a time and note each time the current reading. Quite quickly you will be able to isolate the circuit that is causing the drain. Often it is a lighting circuit for an interior light that you cannot see....such as a glove box light not going off when the lid closes or the trunk light staying on. These work by a contact switch being opened by coming into contact with a bracket when shut. If for some reason the bracket gets bent or is dislodged then the light stays on.

HAVE THE ALTERNATOR CHECK

Have the charging system checked it sounds like an alternator problem

It sounds like the Belt was too loose and was not allowing the Alternater to Charge the Battery. I would Jump the Car off just long enough to get to the Mechanic and have the Belt, Alternator, and Battery Checked out In addition to the Radiator.

Battery is probably on it last legs... alternator sounds normal.

hi there, your alternator is not putting out enough, subbies should put out about 14.4v and just after starting should put out 40-60amps. charge the batt that is in it now with a small (3.5-6amp) charger overnight then start the car and LOAD TEST the batt and alternator at a battery shop. ask them to put a carbon pile load tester on your system. im pretty sure they're gonna tell you its the alternator. many thanks, hope this helps!