MR2 N/A - Left standing a week - Dash full of warning lights

[snotrag]

As above, Rev 5 N/A. Miley but very reliable, no problem before hand at all (as in, almost too-good-to-be-true faultless!)

Been sat on the drive for about ten days,m as i've been on holiday, just as the weather turns cold. Just been to check it before work tomorrow - checked levels, tyres, started fine, 1st time, didnt percieve any weakness in the battery or starter.

I've got

-Brake fluid level
-Engine bay cooling fan
-Low oil level
-Battery

Warning lights on. Can't find my bleeding multimeter to check battery but gauge is at bottom of its 'ok' zone, so maybe 10Volts, but not convinced on accuracy of that one?

Fluid levels are false reading, they are fine when checked, I'm hoping that low voltage is just confusing it. Checked for error codes too and nothing stored.

I'm hoping (and it would make sense) that the battery is probably a bit flat, combined with its probably a bit old, combined with its dropped noticeably in temperature over the past week, combined with it not being used.

Unless anyone has any other ideas?

[mrmr96]

Low voltage can cauese other sensors to misread. So sort that out first. (Work out if its battery, alternator or drain that's the issue and resolve.)

[snotrag]

Cheers, that matches what I thought anyway, so im not worried about the lights.

Now of course because my bd sodding multimeter cannot be found (recently moved house!) I cant tell if its the battery thats a bit low, or the alternator thats not charging... the only way to find out is go drive it really, with the outcome of - it charges back up and sorts itself out, or it goes flat, alternator is borked and I break down. And of course its dark now so I'll need the lights on...

[Midshipracer]

Those 3 lights at the same time mean the alternator is on its way out. Replacing it

[Riknos]

I personally would bite the bullet and buy a new battery, as that's most likely what is required, and if you say it's a bit old it would be useful to have over winter.

[snotrag]

Midshipracer said:

Those 3 lights at the same time mean the alternator is on its way out. Replacing it

Left for work, looked to be charging a bit, then quickly decided it wasn't, did a silly emergency u-turn, luckily I live at the bottom of a hill, managed to roll/kangaroo it all the way home and ramped it onto my drive nose first. Power steering first to go (electric!) more warning lights, dash gauges went, very fun, not.

Alternator it is then, I was simply running off battery power until it ran out.

Lukcily I have a great spares place just up the road, walked up, new one being delivered this afternoon, so now I'm taking a day off to change it.

Just what is needed first day back off holiday, boss is well pleased.

[hygt2]

Is it the regulator or the whole alternator packed up?

[snotrag]

Got this fixed a couple of weeks ago thanks - the alternator was a bit graunchy, very grimy (from oil spillage over the years, which then attracts dirt) had slightly rough bearings.

It could well have been the regulator pack itself, however it was well past its used by date so I stuck a brand spanking new one in and a new belt. The regulator and new brushes etc I think would nearly add up to the cost of a new one.

Works a treat. There was nothing wrong with the battery either for what its worth.

Wasn't actually that hard to change over either once I'd worked out the method for feeding it out between bulkhead and engine.

[Marf]

Probably a voltage issue, what you describe is classic alternator failure, but could be your battery low on power too.

[SonicShadow]

Alternators are a fairly common problem - everything seems to drip onto it.