dash warning lights - Alternator

[ptapta]

Hello!

Im a little puzzled on this one...

To start with the battery, cat overheat and engine fan lights began to flash intermittently but now they stand proud in front of me. When they came on and stayed on my inside lights and headlamps all dimmed considerably whereas before when they flashed nothing else happened.

Ive checked my alternator belt - fine, seems to have good tension, alt fuse is still intact, and the car starts up fine and the belt turns as normal. My headlights are back to full strength and everything seems normal, although that's just at standstill

Can anyone help??

[ChrisW]

Sounds similar to what happened when my alternator was on it's last legs. The warning lights were the first sign something was wrong, but it wasn't until a couple of days later that I got stuck with a flat battery.

If you've got a multimeter, connect it to the battery and see if you get around 14 to 15 volts with the engine running.

Also this page might be useful:
http://www.mr2-tech.com/bgb/mechanical/ ... system.htm

[ptapta]

Very helpful! Thanks very much

[arman]

if alternator is not giving out a good voltage, check the wiring that goes into the plug, one of the wires usually break

[MK_Steve]

if alternator is not giving out a good voltage, check the wiring that goes into the plug, one of the wires usually break

Mine did this not long ago. Cost me an alternator to find out tho!

However, if didnt cause any dash lights to come on, so I think it may be a knackered alt in this case.

Steve