Question about lights flickering...

[92GSXman]

When I first start my wife's 99 gst the brake & battery light in the dash flicker. If I give the car a little bit of gas it goes away. Is this a short or does it mean something. Thanks

 

[Defiant]

It's the harbinger of a dying alternator. A strange DSM characteristic that appears fairly often.

 

[Phat95Talon]

Any other idea's? I've got the same problem only my lights are dim (you can tell the difference when the brake is really on) and There is another light too. I believe the other light is for the alternator (go ahead and laugh at me , but it sort of looks like a merry-go-round). They come off and on when they want to and flicker sometimes. I replaced my alternator and battery about 2 1/2 weeks ago. A week after I had lost the ground on the alternator and killed it. I've since fixed that and charged the battery. I've been driving it since but the lights are on. Also, right before it died, the SRS light came on? I'm confussed. The only engine work I've done to it is an intake and I have power wire from my subs running to the battery. The subs have been in the car for 6 months or more so I don't think they are the problem. Any idea's on what else to check?

Kristin

 

[onepimpclipse]

Well Kristin, the "merry go round" light means you're low on coolant. (It's a picture of a radiator) As far as your electrical problem I'm not sure.


On a personal note, how have you been?

 

[Phat95Talon]

Awwww......well thanks! See what I get for listening to some non-dsm guy So I'll check that.

But, I still have the problem with the car. It died again yesturday on the way home. My mom came and gave me a jump start and I made it home....but it was a close call. I coasted into the yard. Anyways, The SRS light was on again. What's that? It seems like I charge the battery and the car is fine (except the lights) for a week-week and a half. Whats up with that?

By the way.....I'm good (besides the car!) and I'm back in Polk county. I took a new job. Since we're so close now, we should meet up

 

[onepimpclipse]

The car dies while you drive it? Then you can jump it and it is fine for a little while? If so, it sounds like the new alternator may have a short or is at least somehow defective.

I'd have the battery and alternator tested. It must be one of those, or both.

 

[Phat95Talon]

I had it checked right after I had put the ground back on the alternator and re-charged the battery and they said it was fine. If it was the battery, would the car run fine for a week or so, die, then work again after I put it on the charger? It seems like maybe the alternator is working, but not to well.

It's been sitting at the house for a few days. The battery is charged. After work I'm going to go ahead and check the coolant to see if I can get rid of those dash lights, and I took off the battery terminals so I'm just going to put some new ones on just for the slight posibility that is what could be the problem. I'm going to take it out for the weekend and see how it goes.

How much power do the subs actually draw? I only have 2 10's so it's not like I'm shaking the earth. Do you think that could have anything to do with the loss of power?

Are you still in Winter Haven?

 

[Phat95Talon]

Just to update. I got the Talon back Friday. It's running and I hooked the subs back up. I haven't seen the 3 dash lights but one time. That was when I turned the key on just to shut the sun roof and the turbo timer was running. The shop said it was the alternator and that the "new" alternator that I put in 3 weeks ago was bad. When I was putting the subs back in I disconnected the positive battery terminal and still got a spark. Doesn't that mean something is still drawing power from the battery?