iFixit - Answers With Device "2000-2004 Subaru Outback"

2000-2004 Subaru Outback: How to properly adjust the serpentine belt due to burning rubber smell

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 17:40:43 -0700

How to properly adjust the serpentine belt. When I turn on the car I get a strong burning rubber smell when it turns on. I have scoured many a site that didn't give me a complete picture or a video of my actual outback model

⟐ Commented April 18, 2025 at 17:40 MST

2000-2004 Subaru Outback: Outback Subaru, hard acceleration and tight brakes

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 13:33:51 -0700

So when I first start driving the car, it starts off pretty well, but after about 15 minutes worth of driving my brakes start to feel tighter and it gets harder for my car to accelerate. It usually gets hard to get past 30 mph. It also gets harder for my car to crawl the longer I drive it, to the point where after stopping at a red light, I don’t even need to hold the brakes for the car to remain still.

⟐ Commented December 15, 2023 at 13:33 MST

2000-2004 Subaru Outback: Do I have to use Subaru parts

Sat, 27 Mar 2021 14:46:52 -0700

I have recently swindled into buying a Subaru Outback and the man said that he had done all these relairs on the car. I bought the car but the repair receipt was forged. I am now trying to piece this car together but I keep getting told I have to use Subaru parts from the factory. Do all the parts need to come from the factory or can I use offbrand valve cover gaskets and fuel pumps?

⟐ Answered March 27, 2021 at 14:46 MST

2000-2004 Subaru Outback: Brake and Battery indicator lights above idle or drive ABS

Sun, 29 Oct 2017 13:09:10 -0700

2003 Subaru Outback 2.6 litre 4 cyl

Starts and Idles without any issues

Drives as expected (normal) except for dash light concerns

If driven or even just bring rpm up on engine to 2500 or so the ABS light is off but brake indicator left of left signal comes on and battery light also lights up and stays on while driving or rpm up.

Newer battery and it is holding its charge despite battery light.

Brakes work fine forward and back. ABS works perfectly so far as can tell on gravel test at low speed.

E Brake handle is all the way down/off and will bring brake light on if pulled slightly up in Park. E Brake almost never used and last used 6 months ago.

Brake fluid up in reservoir.

New serpentine belts in last few months and they are tensioned correctly

Pulley on alternator seems to be OK and no odour from alternator

Engine oil good.

High mileage and no tune up work for a long time but air cleaner recently and synthetic oil and filter OK

Have not looked at fuses yet

Intend to pull all wheels and especially pull back on E Brake cables to see if not fully retracted

ANSWER

Tried to move the vehicle into garage and it lost power and died.

Tied to charge the battery overnight with cables attached and it would not start. Starter just clicked.

Took off a cable and charged the battery and that worked.

Still cannot start so installed a new alternator.

FIXED

Alternator must have shorted and drained so much power a fresh battery could not start the car.

So the drain on the electrical system triggered odd responses on the dash lights which were the original concern.

⟐ Answer accepted October 29, 2017 at 13:09 MST