So I was driving back to campus last night....

[AltaSVX]

I was doing the weekly grocery run late last night and noticed the car felt a little warmer than usual. Looking down I saw my panel had lit up like a christmas tree; the steering, battery, brake and brakelight panel illuminated.

Pulled over and checked the engine bay but it was late at night and I couldn't see anything amiss,- belts were fine(but it was late at night, couldn't really see anything anyways). I was about 5 minutes from home so I decided to nurse her back. Played with all the electrics on the way back and they seemed to work but turning off the lights seemed to cause a strange squeel/vibration from the left part of the dash although I couldn't replicate this by turning them on and off again. Every other system seemed to work, no probs with steering and braking although the abs light did come on once or twice too on the way back. A/C worked but again turning it on for the 1st time made a funny noise that couldn't be replicated by turning it off and back on again.

No issues starting it today but still the steering, battery, brake and brakelight panels were illuminated. Kinda reminds me of when the alternator in my old 1984 crown vic gave out (awesome first car btw) but here on campus I really don't have much in the way of tools or time for that matter too (they tend to keep us busy in medical school) so I will probably have to take it in to a shop but opinions and ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

PS. anyone know of a decent place close to UBC, Canada?

[subiemech85]

pull on the belts

[Sean486]

Originally Posted by AltaSVX

I was doing the weekly grocery run late last night and noticed the car felt a little warmer than usual. Looking down I saw my panel had lit up like a christmas tree; the steering, battery, brake and brakelight panel illuminated.

Pulled over and checked the engine bay but it was late at night and I couldn't see anything amiss,- belts were fine(but it was late at night, couldn't really see anything anyways). I was about 5 minutes from home so I decided to nurse her back. Played with all the electrics on the way back and they seemed to work but turning off the lights seemed to cause a strange squeel/vibration from the left part of the dash although I couldn't replicate this by turning them on and off again. Every other system seemed to work, no probs with steering and braking although the abs light did come on once or twice too on the way back. A/C worked but again turning it on for the 1st time made a funny noise that couldn't be replicated by turning it off and back on again.

No issues starting it today but still the steering, battery, brake and brakelight panels were illuminated. Kinda reminds me of when the alternator in my old 1984 crown vic gave out (awesome first car btw) but here on campus I really don't have much in the way of tools or time for that matter too (they tend to keep us busy in medical school) so I will probably have to take it in to a shop but opinions and ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

PS. anyone know of a decent place close to UBC, Canada?

Same as your Crown Vic; those are symptoms of a alternator problem. Remove the alternator, take it to auto zone (or preferably alternator shop) and ask them to tested it for you. Chances are that it is in need of a rebuild or replacement.

[genzzel]

Awh the dreaded christmas lights of our dash. Definitely electrical chargeing problem---either bad alt, bad belts or loose conection on batt or starter.

[SoCal LS-L]

Theyre going to charge you upwards of $60, probably quite a bit more, to do something you can do in 10 minutes. You can even just get a cheap multimeter and check the voltage the alternator is putting out while the car is running. Whos going to care for your wallet or your car better than yourself?

[subiemech85]

BUT, IF the alternator is DISCONNECTED, then NO lights come on!

[AltaSVX]

thanks for all your responses, the belts are good and tight so I guess its probably the alt then...and if it is that easy to switch out then maybe I can cobble together enough tools to do it. Does the alternator usually affect any other electrics when it goes? Anyone know off hand exactly what you need to take the guard off, loosen the belt and take it out? I am not the most knowledgeable when it comes to mechanics but I do want to learn and the alternator is pretty really accessable. Thanks again.

[SoCal LS-L]

Originally Posted by AltaSVX

Anyone know off hand exactly what you need to take the guard off, loosen the belt and take it out? I am not the most knowledgeable when it comes to mechanics but I do want to learn and the alternator is pretty really accessable. Thanks again.

Disconnect the battery negative cable with a 10mm wrench. Remove main alternator lead unscrewing the nut on top, small, maybe like an 8mm. The main plug has a tab that you push in, then you can pull it out. The guard over the belts is held on also my 2 10mm bolts. The tensioner pulley nut needs to be loosened to let it slide up the tensioner rail, its a 13mm. The tensioner adjusting bolt, the one that sits diagnally, is a 12mm... twist to release enough tension to remove the belt. Once thats done, the alternator is held on by two long bolts, 14mm, remove and the alternator can be wiggled out of the bracket.

So, a 10mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm wrench or sockets with extensions, and a small pair of pliers or small wrench for the main alternator positive lead.

I think I remembered everything correctly, if not im sure someone else will chime in and help....the alternator is so easy a caveman could do it. But if i were you id borrow or buy a cheap multimeter to check the output voltage first... theyre only like 10 bucks for a simple one....

[dcarrb]

You mentioned a "squeal," then a "funny noise" when turning on the AC. Before you ditch the alternator, be sure the crankshaft pulley isn't coming apart. I'll bet that's your problem.

dcb

[huck369]

Could also be a bad crank pulley....

[gbianchi]

AND also check out the big wires to the alt, I had 2 of them grouding out on mine when I 1st got her and the christmas decorations lit up, hope this helps..........G

[Mephis]

I wouldn't worry too much about the crank pulley till you deal with the alternator...

That was a very expensive mess up...

[SoCal LS-L]

Originally Posted by dcarrb

You mentioned a "squeal," then a "funny noise" when turning on the AC. Before you ditch the alternator, be sure the crankshaft pulley isn't coming apart. I'll bet that's your problem.

dcb

A good possibility... I would think though that since he mentioned his power steering was fine that the pulley is holding together ok. If anything is going to kill a failing crank pulley, its the accessory that puts the biggest torque load on the pulley.

[SoCal LS-L]

Edit: Double post.... stupid internet

[huck369]

Originally Posted by Mephis

I wouldn't worry too much about the crank pulley till you deal with the alternator...

That was a very expensive mess up...

If it is his crank pulley, then his alternator is probably fine....so check the pulley first, it costs nothing to check....just put a mark across the whole face of the pulley, start it up and run it untill you hear the squeal, then shut it off and see if the inner and outer sections of the pulley stayed lined up via the mark you made...if not you need a new pulley.