weird problem.. 3 dash lights at once..

[hottscennessey]

So lately i've been having this problem more and more, the past two time i've had it, i've just gotten off work and started up my car when i notice my tail light warning, brake, and battery lights are all lit up. I don't have any idea what this mean and i've re-set the ecu and checked the battery ground, at which point i decided to head home.

On the way home i was aggrivated and someone cut me off so i boosted, car picked up, kinda died down all dash lights faded so i let off, and then the dash lights came back, the 3 mysterious lights were gone.

The next day after work when i had this problem, i just drove home regularly until they dissappared.

previously when the lights came on when i was cruising around (months ago) i kept driving, they wouldnt go off, until finally i put my car into a lower gear and kinda popped the clutch a little to give the car a jolt, at which point they cut off.

Is this problem related to anything or has anyone ever had similar problems? Whats at fault? wiring? or is it car code for something else? Thanks guys i appreciate it.

 

[clifftrail]

I think thats an early sign of an alternator problem.

 

[hottscennessey]

thats what i was thinking.. any ways to fix it? or is it better off just to replace?

 

[Jspec7m88]

thats what i was thinking.. any ways to fix it? or is it better off just to replace?

Just from past experience, that sounds like an alternator. Giving it that sudden jolt and dimming would lead you to think it was some sort of wire shorting out or loose but I've had problems like this with 3 different cars, all turning out to be an alternator going bad.

 

[hottscennessey]

i had a cam seal leak spraying oil everywhere from my timing belt, thanks guys, i'm possitive its my alterntor. I'm my way to advance auto.

 

[mkiiSupraMan18]

^ mine did the same thing, the light went off when it "warmed up", lol

The good news is, you can drive it like that for almost a week before it finally dies. :icon_bigg

 

[bigaaron]

Those lights can also be from loose battery/alternator connections or bad ground cables. But usually it's a alternator going out. Measure the voltage at the battery with the car running, it should be over 13v. If the battery voltage does not rise when you start the car then it is the alternator.

 

[hottscennessey]

thanks for chiming in guys, it was infact the alternator, i made sure all battery connections were secure and installed the new alternator. Problem solved, thanks!