dash warning lights

[sean7]

As they should, all my dash warning lights come on when i first start the car. Lately some (fuel, filter and battery) warning lights have been taking longer to go off. This time varies. Some times they go off with the others, other times they stay on for a minute of so.
Does anyone know what may be causing this, and is it something to be concerned about?
Thanks.

[mulover]

Hate to say it, but it could be a sign that your battery or alternator are on the way out. Get the battery checked out (acid level and voltage) to eliminate it as a cause.

[geeves]

Not good but not necessarily fatal. These lights are controlled by the charge relay so will go out once the alternator is charging. Possible faults are alternator or battery or charge relay.
Get a multimeter and check the following
Battery voltage with engine off. Should be between 12 and 12.5
Battery voltage while cranking. Anything over 9 is ok
Battery voltage when engine starts Do not touch the throttle for this or next test. Should be 14.5 but dont worry straight away if its 12
Leave it idleing 30 seconds and check voltage If its 12 give the throtle a quick rev and check again. If it goes to 14 then back to 12 its alternator If it goes to 14 and stays there when the engine returns to idle its most probably the charge relay.
If the first 2 tests fail its the battery.

battery

[sean7]

Thanks for your advice.
The alternator was on the way out. Stopped working alltogether shortly afterwards.

[dikikx]

hi there, got my dash board totaly out of light,(isuzu mu wizard 1997 5door)but sometimes it turns on for awhile, then later it will be out again. it lost my control on some of my bottons as well, like my swith botton for fog lamps on front. and all the time the light on the right hand side like the oil pressure gauge ang fuel side is totally turn of. so pls any idea on whats happend? tnx..

[geeves]

I would check the connectors on the back of the dash arent loose. None of the alternatives are very nice

[grunter]

your dash lights came on because there is something wrong with the altenator, it stopped supplying current to the "charge" relay so the relay switched back to ground to make the dash lights come on. there is nothing wrong with this relay, the most probable cause is worn or sticky brushes in the altenator, as the diagnosis in the first place was an intermitant fault with the lights.
cheers dude
grunter

[dikikx]

thanks again geeves! ya i might look the connectors then.but what about that timing belt light, why is it still on? i did put the screw from the other hole actually.

[geeves]

Good question. Mine wouldnt go out either so I just removed that bulb. That worked

[dikikx]

hahaha, well i was actually thinking bout that. but i have lots of confident now doing it especially it comes from experts. tnx again!

[dikikx]

hey guys i think theres a problem other than loose connection, i did check the connection properly and yet still lights still came of on and off. do u think is there any relay that cause it, i did check all the fuses as well, coz i dont understand the writing so better take one each time. any idea?

[geeves]

Not sure without takeing a look but theres a big swim and a lot of driveing between us. Might have to bite the bullet and visit your local auto sparky

[mulover]

If you cant sort it, take it to AJ atuo electrical on Bond street, Alf has worked on mine a couple of times, and they are a good crew.

[frangii]

Similar problem with me.

I had my alternator changed about a year ago after driving through some mud. Since then, these three lights (fuel, filter & battery) would turn off after the alternator starts to charge.

Since yesterday, these lights have been staying on. I'll try those tests above and see what happens. Will probably report back here with the results and some help if needed.

Cheers.

[geeves]

Hopefully just a faulty charge relay.

[frangii]

So the resistors (or something in the alternator) weren't changed (as they weren't faulty back when the alternator was repaired). I've had the alternator put back in the car and the batt charges all well and good except now the three lights will not go off - even after a rev or driving. This is very frustrating!

Any ideas what could be causing this or how to fix?

Cheers.

[frangii]

Update: So the engine starts easily sometimes but others it will struggle as if the battery was low in charge? On a related or possibly unrelated note, the air-con and air won't work since changing the alternator.

Any direction is greatly appreciated as this is really annoying me now.

Cheers.

[geeves]

Could be the charge relay or the alternator is still faulty. My money is on the relay

[frangii]

I'll try changing the headlight relay with the charge relay. If the relay is broken, the headlights won't work. Is it that simple?

[frangii]

Update: Switched the headlamp and charge relay around. The headlamps still work and the 3 dash lights have gone off. Will be interested to see how the car starts after a short drive.

If it is the relay, 1. Geeves, you're a good man and 2. Where can I buy one from (Supercheap or Repco haven't proved fruitful thus far).