i removed my gauge cluster to be sent to a vendor on here to be converted red. i had the dealer document what miles i had on it before i sent it and will document it after i get it back.

i was driving home today and noticed my electrical was having problems. ie: windows going down slow, radio kept turning on and off, and if i turned on my headlights my car would almost die.

i kept going and my car finally died on me and i had to park on the shoulder. my friends thought it was a bad alternator so i was brought a full battery to make the trip home. i got home and bought a new remanufactured oem alternator and put it in. we checked the voltage before and after and noticed it wasnt charging even with a new alternator. the before and after voltage was around 12-12.5.

we think the problem has to do with me not having a gauge cluster in. i removed my gauge cluster sunday and drove my car probably 90 minutes total up to this afternoon. it sounds right that those 90 minutes probably drained the life out of my battery.

i have not touched electrical at all since 3 days ago. all the fuses and grounds seem intact. but i have never heard of this problem. is it possible for not having a gauge cluster to cause this problem?

maybe you blew a fuse for the charging system

looked at the fuses and everything is good as far as i can tell

Make sure the battery warning light in the dash is working when you turn the key to ON. Voltage is supplied to the alternator exciter through the warning light. No light in test mode, no alternator charging.

Make sure the battery warning light in the dash is working when you turn the key to ON. Voltage is supplied to the alternator exciter through the warning light. No light in test mode, no alternator charging.

what part of he has no gauge cluster did you not understand?

what part of he has no gauge cluster did you not understand?

LOL..Well i guess the part about:

No light in test mode, no alternator charging.

Would make sense than wouldn't it ;)

i'm assuming the car model and year would be helpful as well :)

sorry folks i should have mentioned 2005 WRX.

Found this out the hard way today. Even got a new battery and alternator.
CONCLUSION: With your cluster out, your battery won't charge!!

Now we know! =)