Whilst driving down the Monash yesterday I noticed that my warning lights for the alternator and the hand brake were glowing. Not brightly with the alternator being brighter.
My volt meter dropped to 10 volts, it is usually around 13.5.
The car ran well, wasn't spluttering and I thought I may be able to get home before the battery dies.
when I changed down a gear at a round about the lights went out and all instruments resumed to normal. It did happen again later that night and seemed most ffected when I was braking, changing gears etc. I checked the standard earth cable, ( feeble looking thing) and it was in one piece.
Trying to figure out if this an earth problem, alternator or battery terminal.
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Intermittent electrical gremlin.
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A speed camera would have prevented that!
Intermittent electrical gremlin.
Last edited by RN on Fri Jun 05, 2009 1:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I am the Nightrider! I am the chosen one. The mighty hand of vengeance, sent down to strike the unroadworthy!
perhaps contacts in the voltage regulator sticking? stoping the alternator kicking in? then a corner or bump allows them to seperate again?
not sure but 1 idea.
not sure but 1 idea.
*there's a rock, drive over it :) there's a bigger rock, drive over it :twisted: there's an even bigger rock, oops broke it :oops: Upgrade broken bit :bad-words:
Goto *
Goto *
A speed camera would have prevented that!
Have on occassion had Jap cars (and trucks) do funny things with the instrument lighting when the alternator brushes are nearly worn out.
I assume some (all?) of the warning lights earth through the alternator (through the brushes) and as they wear, the brush springs extend, but loose their tension as they reach the limit of their travel.
Peter H
I assume some (all?) of the warning lights earth through the alternator (through the brushes) and as they wear, the brush springs extend, but loose their tension as they reach the limit of their travel.
Peter H
NJ Pajero 2.8TDI
A speed camera would have prevented that!
It has gotten worse now but has a quirk to it. Started it this morning , dash lights were out, reversed down the driveway, dash warning lights out, drove down the street and dash lights came on. It went out a few times but mostly stayed on.Pharb wrote:Have on occassion had Jap cars (and trucks) do funny things with the instrument lighting when the alternator brushes are nearly worn out.
I assume some (all?) of the warning lights earth through the alternator (through the brushes) and as they wear, the brush springs extend, but loose their tension as they reach the limit of their travel.
Peter H
Also noticed that the engine idle is much higher ( when the dash warning lights are on) so I wonder if the power to the auto choke is being affected
Will charge the battery tonight and have a real good look in the next couple of days.
I am the Nightrider! I am the chosen one. The mighty hand of vengeance, sent down to strike the unroadworthy!
Another vote for alternator here. Maybe the revs rise as there is no load from the alternator as the field windings aren't energised?RN wrote:It has gotten worse now but has a quirk to it. Started it this morning , dash lights were out, reversed down the driveway, dash warning lights out, drove down the street and dash lights came on. It went out a few times but mostly stayed on.
Also noticed that the engine idle is much higher ( when the dash warning lights are on) so I wonder if the power to the auto choke is being affected
Will charge the battery tonight and have a real good look in the next couple of days.
Had a similar prob on my old Hilux. New alt fixed it.
Oh dear god look out its come lose,
Check the wires to the back of the alternater
then everything else everyone said so realy i didnt need to say anything cause they had it all right just like the sound of my voice typing
Check the wires to the back of the alternater
then everything else everyone said so realy i didnt need to say anything cause they had it all right just like the sound of my voice typing
Manuels= 4wd,cars,bikes,guns,trucks,race cars
Automatics=washing machines,dish washers,fridges
Automatics=washing machines,dish washers,fridges
A speed camera would have prevented that!
Apparently the jury is in, it's the alternator that is faulty. It is a non factory Bosch 65A ( aftermarket as it isn't aligned well on the pulleys but has been there since I bought it with only 55K on the clock .)
The auto electrician advised that the high idle may have something to do with the choke. It is an electric auto and somehow not getting the correct vaults to make it work properly. That's the theory.
The auto electrician advised that the high idle may have something to do with the choke. It is an electric auto and somehow not getting the correct vaults to make it work properly. That's the theory.
I am the Nightrider! I am the chosen one. The mighty hand of vengeance, sent down to strike the unroadworthy!
A speed camera would have prevented that!
I checked a wrecker, $165. second hand.beinthemud wrote:If your in melbourne I could check out a price for a new one
..and auto electrician $220 to reco it.
Unless you can get a brand new unit close to the reco, then lock in' B' Eddie.
I am the Nightrider! I am the chosen one. The mighty hand of vengeance, sent down to strike the unroadworthy!
A speed camera would have prevented that!
The auto elec tested the unit and it is RS. The belts aren't loose but are worn from being misaligned.zagan wrote:Didn't try re-tighting the fan belt and then did a test just to make sure it's not a loose fan belt or too old and needs to be replaced?
May save some cash.
I am the Nightrider! I am the chosen one. The mighty hand of vengeance, sent down to strike the unroadworthy!
I had a similar thing happen in the 80, dash lights would come on randomly and flicker.
Was on the highway do a short stint and smelt something that took a while to register.....battery fluid.
Got home and put a multimeter on the battery and had 19v going in.
New alt (And to get it in and out the AC compressor needed to be de gassed, removed and re gassed when installed).
All up was only $440, So I was kinda happy in the end, until the battery died two weeks later.
Was on the highway do a short stint and smelt something that took a while to register.....battery fluid.
Got home and put a multimeter on the battery and had 19v going in.
New alt (And to get it in and out the AC compressor needed to be de gassed, removed and re gassed when installed).
All up was only $440, So I was kinda happy in the end, until the battery died two weeks later.
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