2003 Subaru Forester electrical problem

[Edmond]

Guy I know has a 2003 with the 2.5l non-turbo. The brake and battery light are on.

Alternator was replaced 30k miles ago, battery even more recently.

He's taken the car to 2 different places that have tested the alternator and battery, both are testing fine.

With some research he has done, he's gathering that the brake light is on because it's telling the car to turn the DRL's off to conserve power.

Only thing he can think of is a ground or something like that.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[brianl703]

On some cars, if you don't replace the alternator with the correct one, the battery light will come on and stay on.

 

[oggb]

Check the brake pads and fluid. Worn pads can cause the fluid level to drop in the reservoir.
Check the voltage at the battery. Make sure the terminals are tight/clean.
Check the accessory belts. Make sure the alternator belt is tight enough.
Check the wire from the alternator to the main fuse panel. Maybe the wire is worn/stretched/torn/shorting.
Alternator could still be a bad egg. Is it a Subaru OEM part or a Napa/Autozone/AAP/etc part?