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#1
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Christmas tree lights?
It's been a long time and please forgive me but I don't remember what causes this... Please refresh my memory. I humbly thank you.
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Jeremy 1994 Subaru SVX LSi - Laguna Blue Pearl - sold 1994 Subaru SVX LSi - Emerald Green Pearl - sold 1996 Subaru SVX LSi - Bordeaux Pearl - traded 1996 Subaru SVX LSi - Bordeaux Pearl - sold 1994 Nissan 300zx Convertible - Emerald - 102k mi 1999 Mercedes SLK230 Sport - Brilliant Silver - 83k mi 1990 Ford Taurus SHO - Oxford White - 10k mi |
#2
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Re: Christmas tree lights?
I would say alternator is most likely cause.
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Current Stable: 1992 SVX 1979 K5 Blazer Cheyenne 1956 Plymouth Belvedere - Daisy 1967 Chevy C20 1953 Chevy 210 1969 Plymouth Satellite 1949 Chevy Thriftmaster 1959 Chevy Apache 1951 Chevy Stepside 1969 Chevy Camper Special 1978 Ford F150 w/ stroked 460 1986 Volvo 740 turbo wagon 1999 GMC 2500 Creep Van 1994 Impreza Outback |
#3
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Re: Christmas tree lights?
Tis the season for a new alternator or perhaps your crank pulley has separated.
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#4
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Re: Christmas tree lights?
Buy yourself a volt meter that plugs into your cigarette lighter. Harbor freight has them for cheap. You should see around 12V before cranking and around 13-14V once the engine is running. If you see no difference, check your belt, pulley and have the alternator checked at Auto Zone or Pep Boyz. Good luck!
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Father of 5 sons and 1 daughter Subaru SVX for fun Hyundai Veracruz for the wife. Susuki SX4 for my older son Ford Ranger for work Mercedes Benz Sprinter for vacation trips, EZ GO Golf cart for driving kids around gated community. |
#5
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Re: Christmas tree lights?
You could start the car then take the battery cable off. If the car dies you aren't charging.
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Current Stable: 1992 SVX 1979 K5 Blazer Cheyenne 1956 Plymouth Belvedere - Daisy 1967 Chevy C20 1953 Chevy 210 1969 Plymouth Satellite 1949 Chevy Thriftmaster 1959 Chevy Apache 1951 Chevy Stepside 1969 Chevy Camper Special 1978 Ford F150 w/ stroked 460 1986 Volvo 740 turbo wagon 1999 GMC 2500 Creep Van 1994 Impreza Outback |
#6
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Re: Christmas tree lights?
This may be of some help. One of the many articles I have collected over the years.
Has proven itself more than once. Alternator Fault / Flashing Dash Lights Intermittent dash light indication Steady simultaneous illumination of more than one dashboard trouble indication lights, i.e. Battery Charging, Steering, and Stop Lamp, indicates one of several possible alternator faults which can be detected by the alternator’s integral electronic diagnostic module. It would appear that as a safety measure, in the event of an alternator fault those indicator lights which are not illuminated for test purposes at startup, are operated simultaneously. Flashing dash lights The flashing of several dashboard indication lights can indicate a rather obscure alternator fault. The indicator light test circuit which operates at startup, incorporates blocking diodes to eliminate a sneak circuit which would otherwise exist. A fault within the alternator rectifier network, often involving only a single diode, can result in alternating current being induced on line. As a result pulses of reverse voltage, pass the blocking diodes in the circuit which energizes the indicator lights. Those testing alternators, including professional technicians, can often fail to detect this problem, due to there being only a very small discrepancy in the DC output. It has been shown that testing battery voltage with a multimeter switched to the alternating current range, will often disclose the presence of the unwanted alternating current, whereas a normal direct current output voltage check will not. An oscilloscope will certainly disclose the problem. Hope this may be of some use. .
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. Subaru Ambassador 1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995..... Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan In-Service Date: January 2, 1997 "The Pristine Green Polo Machine” First Polo Green on the Network First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000) First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007) First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013) HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler. R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016 2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles. Plenty of parts, service and windshields. 4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001 My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX . . |
#7
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Re: Christmas tree lights?
Quote:
Maniac Electric Motors has always warned about this from day one. If you're tempted to test an alternator by disconnecting the negative battery cable, don't do it. A good alternator may indeed keep the engine running, but it is never a good test. In the pre-computer days, you could pull it off without damaging anything. Today, you risk frying every electrical device in your vehicle. The second you disconnect the battery, the voltage regulator pegs the alternator to put out maximum power. With no battery in the circuit to act as a buffer, the alternator can put out up to 150 volts, depending on engine rpm. When the smoke clears, that “simple test” could end up costing you several thousand dollars for new electronics. Some have been successful, but there is always the risk. Instead, use a cheap voltmeter. With the engine off, battery voltage should be between 12.5 and 12.8 volts. If it's below that, charge the battery with a battery charger before you conduct the test. Then start the engine and check for increased voltage readings as shown above. If you see higher readings, chances are the alternator is good (more sophisticated testing equipment is needed to detect an open or shorted alternator diode). Also a warning here. http://www.troubleshooters.com/dont_...ct_battery.htm .
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. Subaru Ambassador 1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995..... Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan In-Service Date: January 2, 1997 "The Pristine Green Polo Machine” First Polo Green on the Network First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000) First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007) First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013) HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler. R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016 2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles. Plenty of parts, service and windshields. 4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001 My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX . . Last edited by svxcess; 12-22-2014 at 01:18 AM. |
#8
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Re: Christmas tree lights?
I don't want to start an argument, especially with a well respected guru of the svx, but I disagree.
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Current Stable: 1992 SVX 1979 K5 Blazer Cheyenne 1956 Plymouth Belvedere - Daisy 1967 Chevy C20 1953 Chevy 210 1969 Plymouth Satellite 1949 Chevy Thriftmaster 1959 Chevy Apache 1951 Chevy Stepside 1969 Chevy Camper Special 1978 Ford F150 w/ stroked 460 1986 Volvo 740 turbo wagon 1999 GMC 2500 Creep Van 1994 Impreza Outback |
#9
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Re: Christmas tree lights?
.
Quote:
I do not want to start an argument either, this is just an additional reply to my previous post. There is a possibility that it can be done, but not a guarantee. I have seen this method do damage on more than one vehicle. To me, the risk outweigh the gains, unless I know the alternator is good. Just adding some facts. With the battery disconnected, in most instances the alternator voltage sensing circuit will remain connected, and provided the alternator and its regulator are working perfectly, and do provide absolutely instant regulation, damage may not occur. However, with the battery disconnected and the alternator is FAULTY, as was suspected, (The very reason for the test being carried out.) damage is very likely to occur. Faulty rectification or regulation of the output voltage, can present high voltage spikes on line, or at the worst a constant over-voltage situation. With the battery disconnected, even if the alternator is OK, the alternator can deliver a high-voltage spike BEFORE regulation takes place. There is no question that such a spike will damage unprotected electronic components. With the battery connected, the regulator circuitry and included capacitance, becomes energized immediately when the ignition is turned on, and therefore is energized and ready to instantly respond to the anticipated alternator output. Voltage control is therefore normally rendered instantaneously. .
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. Subaru Ambassador 1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995..... Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan In-Service Date: January 2, 1997 "The Pristine Green Polo Machine” First Polo Green on the Network First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000) First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007) First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013) HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler. R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016 2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles. Plenty of parts, service and windshields. 4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001 My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX . . Last edited by svxcess; 12-22-2014 at 01:17 AM. |
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