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#1
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Blinky dash lights (not a Christmas story)
For the last week or so, my dash warning lights have been flickering on anywhere from a flash to on for 10 seconds. The lights that come on are the ones that light up when you crank the engine (Steer-ing, Battery, Stop Lamp, Brake, ABS). I am asuming that it is in the ignition switch or in the connector to the ignition switch.
I plan to remove and clean the ignition switch with electronics cleaner and a brass brush (battery will be disconnected), but I'm wondering if I should coat everything with dielectric grease before I re-assemble. I'd like some opinions on this, please. Doug
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1992 LS Touring (6/91) - Currently undergoing a five speed swap Black over Claret with spoiler; 235,000 miles; Mods: 2002 Legacy 5 speed, ACT Pressure Plate, Excedy Clutch, Short Throw Shifter, Aussie Powerchip 1992 LS Touring (6/91) Black over Claret with 2.5" setback spoiler; 202,000 miles; Mods: B&M Cooler 1994 LSi (4/93) Bordeaux Pearl; 198,000 miles; Mods: Weight reduction. 1969 Mustang GT Convertible 1970 Mustang Convertible 2000 Ford Excursion Sola lingua bona est lingua mortua. My Locker |
#2
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Re: Blinky dash lights (not a Christmas story)
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Randy Johnson 3rd Registered Member 02-21-2001 First Member to Reach 10,000 Posts First to arrive at the very first Reading Meet Subaru Ambassador 1992 SVX PPG Pace Car Replica 110+k 1993 White Impreza L 240+K miles 2001 Legacy Outback Limited Sedan 250+K miles 2013 Deep Indigo Pearl Legacy 3.6R 49+K miles "Reading is my favorite Holiday" Mike Davis -- at Reading VI |
#3
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<<(How old is that Optima, anyway?).>>
I just bought a new one last night. It is trickle charging right now and I plan to install it tonight or tomorrow. BTW the old one is dated 3-14-94 so I guess it is 7.5 years old. I went with the genuine Optima brand again. Its been good to me. The sales guy looked puzzled when I put it on the counter and he went to get his manager. The manager brought out this product sheet from Optima and began to tell me about the benifits of it. I politely said "I know all about it, I've been using Optimas for over 5 years." He looked stunned! They must not sell many of them. <<have your charging system checked>> I thought about that, but there are no other indications of power loss. Lights do not dim, engine does not stumble, etc. I'll check the voltage via the cigarette lighter and if it looks strange, I'll get it checked. So you don't think the grease will make it hard to turn the switch when it is 20 degrees below zero? Doug
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1992 LS Touring (6/91) - Currently undergoing a five speed swap Black over Claret with spoiler; 235,000 miles; Mods: 2002 Legacy 5 speed, ACT Pressure Plate, Excedy Clutch, Short Throw Shifter, Aussie Powerchip 1992 LS Touring (6/91) Black over Claret with 2.5" setback spoiler; 202,000 miles; Mods: B&M Cooler 1994 LSi (4/93) Bordeaux Pearl; 198,000 miles; Mods: Weight reduction. 1969 Mustang GT Convertible 1970 Mustang Convertible 2000 Ford Excursion Sola lingua bona est lingua mortua. My Locker |
#4
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Quote:
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Randy Johnson 3rd Registered Member 02-21-2001 First Member to Reach 10,000 Posts First to arrive at the very first Reading Meet Subaru Ambassador 1992 SVX PPG Pace Car Replica 110+k 1993 White Impreza L 240+K miles 2001 Legacy Outback Limited Sedan 250+K miles 2013 Deep Indigo Pearl Legacy 3.6R 49+K miles "Reading is my favorite Holiday" Mike Davis -- at Reading VI |
#5
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I have the exact same flashing light problem. Ignition switch was checked by electrical specialist and that wasn't it. At least the car keeps running.
If you figure it out before me please be sure to post the solution. |
#6
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I took apart the steering column last night and to my surprise there were only four wires going to the switch. That means that there must be some relays somewhere downstream. When I get some more time, I'll follow the wires to see where they go.
I really need to buy the electrical shop manual... Doug
__________________
1992 LS Touring (6/91) - Currently undergoing a five speed swap Black over Claret with spoiler; 235,000 miles; Mods: 2002 Legacy 5 speed, ACT Pressure Plate, Excedy Clutch, Short Throw Shifter, Aussie Powerchip 1992 LS Touring (6/91) Black over Claret with 2.5" setback spoiler; 202,000 miles; Mods: B&M Cooler 1994 LSi (4/93) Bordeaux Pearl; 198,000 miles; Mods: Weight reduction. 1969 Mustang GT Convertible 1970 Mustang Convertible 2000 Ford Excursion Sola lingua bona est lingua mortua. My Locker |
#7
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Post what you need out of the manual and I'm sure one of us who has a manual will be glad to help.
VK Quote:
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#8
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Well, I replaced the battery, then drove around with the voltmeter hooked up. At stop signs with lights, radio, rear defroster and heater on, it was at 11.5VDC. During normal cruising, it was at 13.6. Seems fine to me.
I jiggled the connectors along the harness from the ignition switch back to the ECU and did not see any difference in the flashing. I'd like to swap out the ECU and see if it is coming from inside the ECU. svxstarship - do you by chance have a powerchip in your car? I'm going to try installing the original chip back in the car and see if that does anything. VK or anyone- I would like the wiring chart from the gauge cluster to the ECU and the ignition switch to ECU. I don't know how many pages that will entail, but if someone gets a chance, I'd appreciate it. Doug
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1992 LS Touring (6/91) - Currently undergoing a five speed swap Black over Claret with spoiler; 235,000 miles; Mods: 2002 Legacy 5 speed, ACT Pressure Plate, Excedy Clutch, Short Throw Shifter, Aussie Powerchip 1992 LS Touring (6/91) Black over Claret with 2.5" setback spoiler; 202,000 miles; Mods: B&M Cooler 1994 LSi (4/93) Bordeaux Pearl; 198,000 miles; Mods: Weight reduction. 1969 Mustang GT Convertible 1970 Mustang Convertible 2000 Ford Excursion Sola lingua bona est lingua mortua. My Locker |
#9
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Quote:
__________________
Randy Johnson 3rd Registered Member 02-21-2001 First Member to Reach 10,000 Posts First to arrive at the very first Reading Meet Subaru Ambassador 1992 SVX PPG Pace Car Replica 110+k 1993 White Impreza L 240+K miles 2001 Legacy Outback Limited Sedan 250+K miles 2013 Deep Indigo Pearl Legacy 3.6R 49+K miles "Reading is my favorite Holiday" Mike Davis -- at Reading VI |
#10
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Mohrds...
No powerchip in my 92. The more I drive the car the less it seems to happen. I drive an about 100 miles a day. I suspect a bad ground somewhere. |
#11
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I'll try to do it when I get a chance. My scanner's power transformer is busted, and I haven't had a chance to replace it yet.
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#12
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Blinky Light Solved!!
As of about 11:00 this morning, the warning lights no longer flash. Here is what I did to solve it. I am not going to place any judgement on what actually cured it.
I went over to BLKSVX92's place to help him with his dead car. We diagnosed that it is likely the alternator gone bad. To test my theory, I took the alternator out of my car and placed it in his and his car started charging. I then put the alternator back in my car and we drove to get him a new alternator and I noticed right away that the lights were not on anymore. In detail, here is what I did. 1. Remove negative battery cable from battery 10mm. 2. Remove black plastic belt shield 10mm. 3. loosen alternator belt pulley nut 12mm and loosen belt adjuster 12mm. 4. Remove alternator belt. 5. Remove positive terminal on alternator 10mm. 6. Unplug alternator connector. 7. Remove alternator harness hold down bolt 10mm. 8. Remove two alternator bolts 12mm. 9. Push harness up and back to allow for removal of alternator. 10. Remove alternator. Install is exact opposite. I do not know what solved the lights issue, if it was disconnecting the battery or the movement of that harness. When the alternator power cord was removed, it may have hit the metal alternator bracket which would do the same thing as touching the negative cable to the positive cable and discharging the car and possibly the computer. All I know is that it is solved!!! This turned out to be a great day (for me anyway, I'm not the one who has to drop $200 for a new alternator). Doug
__________________
1992 LS Touring (6/91) - Currently undergoing a five speed swap Black over Claret with spoiler; 235,000 miles; Mods: 2002 Legacy 5 speed, ACT Pressure Plate, Excedy Clutch, Short Throw Shifter, Aussie Powerchip 1992 LS Touring (6/91) Black over Claret with 2.5" setback spoiler; 202,000 miles; Mods: B&M Cooler 1994 LSi (4/93) Bordeaux Pearl; 198,000 miles; Mods: Weight reduction. 1969 Mustang GT Convertible 1970 Mustang Convertible 2000 Ford Excursion Sola lingua bona est lingua mortua. My Locker |
#13
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Re: Blinky Light Solved!!
Quote:
__________________
Randy Johnson 3rd Registered Member 02-21-2001 First Member to Reach 10,000 Posts First to arrive at the very first Reading Meet Subaru Ambassador 1992 SVX PPG Pace Car Replica 110+k 1993 White Impreza L 240+K miles 2001 Legacy Outback Limited Sedan 250+K miles 2013 Deep Indigo Pearl Legacy 3.6R 49+K miles "Reading is my favorite Holiday" Mike Davis -- at Reading VI |
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