low beams broken + christmas lights

surfer63 · #1 03-02-2009, 09:04 PM

hello,
i've read the threads about the christmas lights and i'm having that symptom as well. all of my warning lights go on when i start the car and remain on the entire time (except sometimes go off when i'm idling at a stop light). i've been driving the car for 2 days like this, so i know the alternator is not completely dead.

the part i can't figure out is, my high beams work fine, but the low beams do not turn on at all. the battery is an optima red top and only like 2 years old. any ideas? (besides get a new alternator)

thanks.

1986nate · #2 03-02-2009, 09:13 PM

That is odd that the christmas lights will sometimes turn off while idling. If it is an alternator issue, it would be worse at idle(light up) and be better while driving.

The low beams not working but brights working fine points to some type of short in the wiring somewhere that is also possible causing the dash lights.

surfer63 · #3 03-02-2009, 09:19 PM

nate i agree the symptoms point to a short, but i don't understand why, i haven't messed with the electrical. i don't even know where to start in diagnosing this problem.

kwren · #4 03-02-2009, 09:27 PM

Probably the alternator...
Doesn't nave to be completely out. Get out your handy dandy $10 digital voltage=ohm tester and put the red on + and the black on - with it set to dc volts and see exactly what is going on. Best to get a test with the "Christmas tree glow"

Simply test the thing! You could do that in the time it took to post this Thread

Keith

surfer63 · #5 03-02-2009, 09:34 PM

it's cold and rainy and i'm tired. :>

i'll test the alternator tomorrow and report back. in the meantime feel free to continue brainstorming.

Mike621 · #6 03-02-2009, 11:25 PM

This is a symptom of a faulty voltage regulator in the alternator, causing an overcharge condition. I had the same exact problem with my bf's 94 Laguna LSi.

LetItSnow · #7 03-03-2009, 04:40 AM

^^ Agreed... This has been the answer more than once lately.

As for the low beam/high beam issue... If your high beams work and are of normal brightness, then your fuses and relays are good - check the bulbs. If they're dim, then they're running in series, lending to a short in the wiring.