Lately I'm getting the quick flash of the warning lights (battery and brake) when driving along. I have searched the forums and can see that this is likely an alternator fault, or a connection issue. However, I've checked, cleaned, and reinstalled all connections with no change. What accessories I have on doesn't seem to change anything.
The lights only flash like this if I've been driving for 20 minutes or more, and then usually only when cruising highway speed.
I'm thinking this is indicating over-voltage rather than under. Does anyone know if this warning will flash if voltage is too high ? Or what the "normal" range would be before triggering the lights ?
If the connections are good I know I should probably look for an alternator, but I want to give it every chance without spending the money, but I don't want to cook my very nice battery while I tinker.
Dash warning lights - under or over voltage ???
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Dash warning lights - under or over voltage ???
That beer you are drinking cost more than my car
I have the same problem with mine. And 3 months ago I had the alternator rebuild. Unfortunately I didn't have time to check the belt yet. I know it's old and cracked, but to make sure that is not loose or anything.
What I plan on doing is, as soon as I see the lights flashing again, I will pull over and put the voltmeter on the baterry to see how much the alternetor charges. Of course I will need somebody to keep the engine reved up at 2700-3000 rpm.
Vrg3, correct me if I am wrong, voltage should be between 13.8 up to 14.5 or so???
What I plan on doing is, as soon as I see the lights flashing again, I will pull over and put the voltmeter on the baterry to see how much the alternetor charges. Of course I will need somebody to keep the engine reved up at 2700-3000 rpm.
Vrg3, correct me if I am wrong, voltage should be between 13.8 up to 14.5 or so???
93 Legacy EJ22T Station Wagon (4EAT-unfortunately)
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tris91ricer
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Professor-
You're probably right on the over-voltage thought; I had this same problem on mine, and no one seemed to understand what I was talking about. Your battery light is on, as well as the 'BRAKE' light on the opposite side, and the two flash together, correct? Knowing that my alt was good, as well as my Optima battery, over-voltage thoughts did come to mind.
Does your stereo cut out on acceleration? How about under braking? Lights dim? I know your really are a 'professor', but I thought I'd ask the usual questions, for diagnostic's sake
Although, on our systems, I believe that if the alt was putting out too much power, that it might just rev higher, and hold a higher idle to burn off the excess volts. I guess we'll all have to wait until vrg3 weighs in for the official answer.
You're probably right on the over-voltage thought; I had this same problem on mine, and no one seemed to understand what I was talking about. Your battery light is on, as well as the 'BRAKE' light on the opposite side, and the two flash together, correct? Knowing that my alt was good, as well as my Optima battery, over-voltage thoughts did come to mind.
Does your stereo cut out on acceleration? How about under braking? Lights dim? I know your really are a 'professor', but I thought I'd ask the usual questions, for diagnostic's sake
Although, on our systems, I believe that if the alt was putting out too much power, that it might just rev higher, and hold a higher idle to burn off the excess volts. I guess we'll all have to wait until vrg3 weighs in for the official answer.
[b]'92 L Sedan[/b]
EJ20g 4.11 5sp LSD
[quote]e46 owners tend to be twats.
[/quote]
EJ20g 4.11 5sp LSD
[quote]e46 owners tend to be twats.
[/quote]
yes both lights light up. As my car has no ABS nor auto, those are the only lights in the "idiot light" windows, I think.
My lights do dim slightly at idle but this is true of most cars. I have had no issues with battery charging, and there is no ill effect on idle, running or anything else for that matter. The radio does not cut out.
One thing I do notice, the lights only seem to flash at around 2200 rpm, not more or less. This is why I tend to see them on the highway at slow cruising speed. This type of effect can sometimes be seen on failing variable speed electric motors, a slightly bad winding can misbehave at a certain rpm but be apparently fine otherwise.
I might have to run some small-gage jumpers into the cockpit and hook up a meter and see what the hell is going on. Anyone else miss volt meters in cars ? I do.
My lights do dim slightly at idle but this is true of most cars. I have had no issues with battery charging, and there is no ill effect on idle, running or anything else for that matter. The radio does not cut out.
One thing I do notice, the lights only seem to flash at around 2200 rpm, not more or less. This is why I tend to see them on the highway at slow cruising speed. This type of effect can sometimes be seen on failing variable speed electric motors, a slightly bad winding can misbehave at a certain rpm but be apparently fine otherwise.
I might have to run some small-gage jumpers into the cockpit and hook up a meter and see what the hell is going on. Anyone else miss volt meters in cars ? I do.
That beer you are drinking cost more than my car
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petridish38
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Or you could use vrg3's scan tool if you possess the resources.
My friend bought her 91 and the guy that sold it to her said that he put a beefier than stock alternator in there, and every once in a while her dash lights will come on and stay on. An irregular voltage could be causing the lights to come on in both cases i guess. Even with her's on all the time and yours only flashing. I need to hook her car up to my scan tool one of these days
Andrew
My friend bought her 91 and the guy that sold it to her said that he put a beefier than stock alternator in there, and every once in a while her dash lights will come on and stay on. An irregular voltage could be causing the lights to come on in both cases i guess. Even with her's on all the time and yours only flashing. I need to hook her car up to my scan tool one of these days
Andrew
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The problem had become more frequent, so I ran the jumpers and hooked up a meter
It is an over-voltage problem. It has gotten more intense as well, today my idle went up in time with the idiot lights coming on, and the headlights got brighter.
I do not have a wiring diagram. Is there a voltage regulator ground wire, and if so, where ??? Any other thoughts ?
It is an over-voltage problem. It has gotten more intense as well, today my idle went up in time with the idiot lights coming on, and the headlights got brighter.
I do not have a wiring diagram. Is there a voltage regulator ground wire, and if so, where ??? Any other thoughts ?
That beer you are drinking cost more than my car