3 dash lights on, Bad Alternator?

[nastynas]

2 days ago I noticed not one, but three of the dummy lights on the dash were on at the same time. The coolant light, battery light and e-brake light.

I have no idea why they all came on at the same time, but they go off and on simultaneously, depending on how high I'm reving. For example, if I'm just crusing at a low RPM the lights are on fairly bright. But if I punch the gas, the lights dim. It's pretty strange. I think my alternator might be bad, but I'm not sure if it could be something else.

Last night my battery died on me completely. I got a friend to help me with booster cables, but after I got it started it just died out again a couple miles down the road. My battery is brand new, so my guess was the alternator wasn't charging it. After I got home last night (towed) I stuck my battery on the charger and left it overnight. I put it back in the car this morning and it worked, I went for a short drive and came back, but the three lights were still coming on.

Anyone have any ideas? I don't even know how to check for a bad alternator.

 

[timloomis]

its your alternator.mine did the exact same thing.

 

[S_Ranger]

Definitley the alternator. It's not keeping the battery charged. Here's the tech guide for it for symptoms and solutions:
http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54783&highlight=alternator

 

[Game Over]

Naturally check all of your connections first, but if that all checks out, then yes, it is definately your alternator.

 

[ddavisaf]

First thing to do is get the car started. While it is running disconnect the battery. If the car dies it's your alternator.

 

[Game Over]

First thing to do is get the car started. While it is running disconnect the battery. If the car dies it's your alternator.

Just the negative cable should do it.

 

[akdsmer]

I wouldn't be a strong fan of disconnecting the battery to test the alternator. The disconnect/reconnect causes voltage spikes that can damage your alternator (if it's still good ) or your sensitive electronics.

Check the battery voltage (running). 12.6 or less is discharging. Anything over 13.1V at idle is charging. Properly check voltage at 1500 rpm loaded. If the car cannot maintain over 13.3-13.5V a little less if the underhood/temps are very warm (ie dsm ), then the alternator is weak (or you have too much stereo ) Please substitue your own values here to prevent a lot of debate on "proper voltage"

The reason all the lights come on is that the manufacturer uses the regulator to do the "bulb check" on start-up". When the alternator is not charging (or key is on, not runniing) the contact is closed and ground is provided to turn on the lights. When the alternator is charging, the switch is open and the lights are off. The other lights then use their own grounds to turn on their individual lights. Most cars are this way cause it's cheap to manufacture.

I agree it's a bad alternator, but check the voltage. You can buy digital meters for under the price of a supersize extra value meal.

Kelly~now I'm hungry!

 

[19GS-t97]

Mine was doin the same thing, go to advance or somethin and have them test it
I ordered mine, the next day i put it in, in about an hour and lights never came back on

good luck