I have a 2000 Subaru Forester and need to replace the flasher unit.
The dealer said it was under the dash, behind the instrument cluster,
but I don't see it there. Has anybody ever replaced this? Have any
more detailed instructions?

Thanks,
Chad

kaisa.young (AT) gmail (DOT) com wrote:
Um, may I ask what the symptoms are?

Carl


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Our flashers (left & right turn signal plus the hazard lights) began
not working a couple of weeks ago. At first, it was intermittent.
They wouldn't work for a few minutes, but, after several attempts, all
three would work. Gradually (over a few days), they stopped
functioning at all. Now, we're just relying on hand signals.

We have the replacement part, but I don't see anything under the dash
that looks like this. I've also checked the fuse box under the hood
with no luck. The replacement part is a black, rectangular box with
three prongs. Is it possible that the factory part is different?

Thanks,
Chad

Carl 1 Lucky Texan wrote:

kaisa.young (AT) gmail (DOT) com wrote:
If it isn't under the dash or in a fuse box, I don't know where to tell
you tolook. maybe glance through a haynes manual, email Jamie at
www.subarugenuineparts.com (great place to get parts, filters, etc.) or
ask at www.ultimatesubaru.net .
Unless someone else here responds of course.
The reason I asked is, sometimes folks hit the switch on top of the
steering column and think something is broken.

Carl


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On 19 Aug 2006 03:58:17 -0700, kaisa.young (AT) gmail (DOT) com wrote:

Hi Chad,
I just did this replacement on my 1999 Forester. The device you're looking
for is mounted very high up on the front wall of the area under the dash
about six inches to the left of the steering column. It lives between a
couple of others. I had to remove/loosen quite a few other components, as
well as lay upside down in the driver's seat with my head on the floormat,
in order to access the flasher.

It was my experience that actuating the hazard lights button would get a
single click out of the flasher relay. I could then identify the correct
part by touch while using my free hand to repeatedly actuate the hazard
button.

I was not able/willing to go through the difficult process of removing the
original part. I was able to remove the connector from it and run that down
and install the replacement flasher on its end. I then tied it down to
other non-moving components to avoid rattle.

Hope this helps.

That was great advice! I finally found it and, after removing the
keyless entry box (rectangular, flat box about 6x3 inches) I was able
to remove the plug from the flasher with no problem. Took me less than
20 minutes to disassemble, replace and reassemble, even though it took
me several hours of just searching for that little black box. I didn't
bother removing the old piece, as you suggested.

The flasher was to the left of the steering column and directly behind
the fuse panel. I had to remove the keyless entry box to see it, but,
then, it was in plain sight. I had to go buy a long shank 10mm socket
to remove the keyless entry box, since my short socket didn't work.
With just a little knowledge, it was an easy job. Thanks again for
your help.

Chad

I wrote: