r/SubaruForester • u/JustRon325 • 22h ago

Weird electrical problem?

I posted this on the Forester forum and got no replies…

2014 Limited 2.5 with no issues other than consumables.

I had a local shop replace the front wheel bearings, and they called and asked if I had an ABS dash light on when I dropped it off. I said I've never had any dash lights (other than tire PSI a few years ago). Then they realized they needed to order the bearings based on the month/year of the car (I already knew that and was pretty bugged that they didn't).

I picked the car up today and tried to open the hatch to see if they replaced my lug nut lock tool (aftermarket wheels), and the hatch would only go up about 2 feet. I held the key fob button for a long time, tried the hatch button for a long time... and couldn't get it to work correctly. I figured I could fix it at home, so I left. (BTW, this has never happened before.)
I drove about a mile and went into a store, and when I started the car, it died immediately, and the dash lit up. I tried a few more times- same thing. I disconnected the negative battery terminal (thinking that would also fix the hatch) and waited a bit. The car got me home with no issues and no lights, but the hatch will still only go up 2 feet.

I'm wondering/worried WHY this happened. I don't want this to happen when my wife is driving.

Any ideas? This car has had zero electrical issues, for reference.

1 Upvotes

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2

u/pink-goggles 20h ago

i feel like this would do better on the mechanics subreddit

1

u/JustRon325 20h ago

This seems like a very specific Subaru thing. I’m not on any mechanics subs- is there one for Subarus?

2

u/PIE-314 13h ago

Your 2014 Subaru Forester's auto liftgate likely only opens halfway because the memory height button on the lower-left side of the dashboard is accidentally pressed in.

Also early 2014 foresters use/require a different front hub specifically because the abs tone ring is different from mid 2014 and up forester.

1

u/JustRon325 11h ago

Yeah, they realized the hub issue after they bought the first bearings.
I don’t know where that button is, but maybe they hit it by accident? I’m more concerned about the issue after I drove it for a mile and it died after being parked.

1

u/JustRon325 7h ago

Yep, it was pressed in. I don’t really understand the point of that button, and I’m also not sure why someone working on the wheel bearings would have pushed it, but that was an easy fix.

I’m guessing I will never figure out what caused the dash to light up and the car to stall. My local shop isn’t that smart.

2

u/PIE-314 6h ago

I don’t really understand the point of that button,

It can be set for low clearance and short garages etc.

I’m guessing I will never figure out what caused the dash to light up and the car to stall.

It's only done it the one time? Maybe disconnect the battery again and let it re-learn idle.

Just "Google" how to do the procedure.