ALL Idiot Lights came on?!

[JLangevin]

Ok, so the other day, I was cruising home from work, and I see that all my idiot lights came on when on the freeway... even the brake lights... the only lights that did not come on were the CEL and SRS lights... whats odd is that the car continued to drive normally... The lights went out after about a minute and after checking temps, boost, air/fuel, oil pressure, determined everything was normal and went about my way..

Well, yesterday, the wife and I went out for dinner with some friends, and again, the lights came on, but this time it was at night and I noticed that the headlights and dashlights dimmed as if I had turned off the engine, but the car continued to run normally... while driving, the car hitting bumps and such caused the idiot lights to flicker on and off...

My question is, does this sound like an ECU going out, or perhaps a bad ground strap? The bouncing leads me to think there is a loose connection somewhere. Can anyone tell me some key locations to check? Thanks! Could this also be an alternator on its way out? IF so, why would it effect the idiot lights? I have had a powersteering leak ripping on the Alt for a while, but I clean it every weekend with electrical parts cleaner.

 

[urcnjoe]

I would say it is the alternator going out since you said you have a power steering leak. This will leak down onto your alternator and kill it. Also check your battery terminals. Take the alternator out and take it to Auto Zone, and they will test it for free. Luckily your alternator is an easy fix.

 

[toybreaker]

The warning light trifecta is a classic sign of impending alternator failure.

I would check the connections at the alternator.

Check the battery terminals for cleanliness/tightness.

Check the alternator fuse bolts.

Then, pull your alternator and have it tested. I would recommend an established electrical rebuilder in your area over the "free" go/no go test at the chain stores

But, with leaking powersteering fluid, I'd bet your alternator is toasted....or at least fairly pissed off. Atf will coat the internals and create some additional current paths the engineers didn't intend....WTF

The power steering pump o-ring rebuild kit is available from the dealer. Please repair your powersteering leak, or you'll frag your replacement alternator.

Good luck!