Newbie- Power Light on Dash ??
 

I'm a new SVX owner and my car didn't come with an owner's manual.


What does it mean when the "Power" lamp on the lower dashboard lights up.

Mine comes on sometimes??

Warren C.

Re: Newbie- Power Light on Dash ??
 

Sometimes: As in when driving and slaming on gas?

Power Light comes on.
 

The power light comes on in garage while racing the engine some''''

...either to test my fix of squealing fan belt ....or

...to try to put a little charge back into the almost dead battery.



Warren

Re: Power Light comes on.
 

I have a good feeling that that is the case. Your alternator may be dying. You will see one light then one day, you might see many. But then again, you may not.


The only time power light should light up is at the following times:

When you start the engine, it will light up then dies.

If TCU sees error codes while car is starting, it will blink.

If you slam on the gas going at a certain speed, it will light up while the gas padel is down (aka power mode -- your car downshifts and you seem to get increase of power).

If it lights up anytime in betwee, it could be an error with TCU or your alternator dying. I may be wrong. Alternator dying normally shows up as multiple lights coming on like a christmas tree.

L

<<Sometimes: As in when driving and slaming on gas?>>

LOL!!!

<<...either to test my fix of squealing fan belt ....>>

Belt's either badly worn or too loose. BTW- new belts will usually have to be re-tightened after a few days or so, because the belt has stretched after initial installations. Just had to do it again on my daughter-in-law's (wife's former) Outback after replacing the belts.

If you need a new battery, I would suggest an Optima 'Red-Top', now available at Costco (or was it Sam's Club?) for a mere $99.00. Super battery- and it solves some of the charging circuit quirks of the SVX.

(Do a search for the 'Shotsky Fix')

-Mark

Re: Newbie- Power Light on Dash ??
 

It means that you've discovered where the mysterous "extra 20hp" is!!!!

20 HP
 

Chris, Stop that. Take care, BOBB

Legitimate information ??
 

I have a sense of humor....also...how about ...."cut the crap!"

But I'm looking for some legitimate information here.....???

Is there anyone out ther than can tell me what the "Power" light is really for.


Warren C.

Re: Legitimate information ??
 

What do you want to know? A scanned page? Yours is not the issue of the powerlight coming on at the right time but at the wrong time (Most likely fault of the charging/regulating diode in the alternator and chances are if you check for that at the bench, you will not find any error for that).

More Power Light
 

As I said I'm totally new to the SVX....never even sat in one before......and I have no manual to tell me anything

What is the "right time" for the Power light to come on.....I assume it suppose to come on when the ignition is turned on before starting the engine .....at the same time all the idiot lights are on at the instrument panel. But all that tells me is that the bulb in the idiot light is working...right?

When I crank the engine ...the Power light goes out....I assume that's what it's supposed to do.....but I don't know what the Power light idiot light circuit is monitoring....?? Alternatior-charging circuit ??? Transmission mode ?? (some tranny's have a "power" setting)....manifold pressure- trottle opening (like BMW's have) to measure fuel economy ?????

Then when I blip the throttle....while still in Park....sitting still .....sometimes ....it flashes....What does this mean??

Basically I just need to know what system that idiot light is monitoring. Then this idiot can figure out the rest.....

Should be a simple answer but God is this difficult!

Warren :mad: :mad:

It's not really an idiot light. The 'Power' light's main function is twofold:

1. Primarily, the Power light tells you when you've triggered the transmission's 'power' shift map. Typically the tranny tries to shift as comfortably and efficiently as possible. But when you want to go, you tell the car by flooring the throttle. This tells the tranny to use the 'power' shift map, which raises the shift points to near redline.

2. The power light also tells you that there is a problem with the transmission. It does this by blinking 16 times (exactly) when you start the car. Typically it'll light up briefly upon startup and then go out again just to let you know everything's okay.

If the power light comes on any other time (when you turn, when you blip the throttle, etc), it's possible that your alternator is not producing enough juice. When the alternator dies completely, a number of lights on the dash will come on. Why the 'charge' light doesn't just come on, I don't know. But momentary dips in current provided by the alternator can make some lights on the dash flicker. If your belt is slipping (causing that squealing noise) then your alternator may not be producing enough current when it slips, causing some warning lights to flicker on.

Get the belt fixed and then we'll see what happens. I hope this helped. And, by the way, we have a technical forum for questions of a (go figure) technical nature. :)

Re: More Power Light
 

Were you not reading all the replies?




want us to come fix the problem? :confused:

Thanks .....Finally!
 

OK at last...I think I understand and know the probelm...

My power steering....alternator belt was slipping.....and squeeling....some.

Adjusted it so the squeeling's stopped.....so I'll keep an eye on the power light......to see if stopping the belt slipping also stops the light from coming on.


Thanks.....sorry to get testy....just frustrated with my own ignorance and not having any manual (owner's or workshop) to give me a clue.

Seems odd to me though..... that this same light monitors both the alternator and the transmission kickdown (shift point) mode. ??? These two functions seem unrelated.

Warren C.

Re: Thanks .....Finally!
 

No it's not it. There is a charging light but it will not come on till you hit about 9V and by then, your car will not run anymore so it's useless. Alternator will show it's dying/not outputting enough when some/all your lights in the dash flicker. In theory charging light should come on but slight screwup in that area.

Re: Thanks .....Finally!
 

They are, and it's not meant to monitor the alternator output. Warning lights flickering on and off is just one of the symptoms. As I understand it, it's really not intended.