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For the past month or so, I have multiple dash lights randomly illuminate intermittently for no apparent reason. These lights include the 'VDC OFF', trac control, BRAKE, and ABS. Sometimes the 'KEY', and battery light will also come on, which kills power and causes the speedo needle to drop while driving. I have no check engine light on, and my car just passed inspection without any issues. I am stumped with this one, any help would be greatly appreciated. Here is a pic of what it looks like when the problem presents itself. The lights are always on the tachometer side of the instrument cluster. Thanks.
I should also mention, my brake fluid is topped off. I also have all brand new brake pads and rotors that were installed about 8k miles ago. I've seen a lot of people suggest checking the brakes and fluid, this doesn't seem to be the issue here.
Yeah, Alternator could be about to go. When it does finally die it will strand you, it did me, same lights, and just like that no power had to coast into a 7/11 parking lot, and push it into a spot. Mine was an 07, but if I were a betting man I'd say your alternator.
Okay, so I checked the alternator and battery. Im getting 12.4V with the car off, and when i start the car and turn all the lights on, radio, etc, its at 13.8V. This seem like normal operation? I could be wrong...
Your symptom is random as you stated, so it's not going to show in a 4 minute test with a volt meter. I guess what I'm saying is, you need more then a volt meter to test the alternator.
So, I wired a meter from my battery terminals to inside the car. So I have a dash mounted multimeter readout at all times. Normal driving, the car is between 14-16 volts. I’ve noticed that when the dash lights come
on, it sometimes goes as much as 17. Any thoughts?
05-09-2018, 06:12 PM
