Hello,

I have been watching the forum for awhile now, just now became registered so I could post a "solution" concerning faulty alternators.

Specifically the idiot lights in the gauge cluster started lighting up very dimly, not just the battery, but all of them. After driving for awhile they all went out. I figured it was just a loose wire somewhere. The following couple of days the same occured, but the lights stayed on for longer, still quite dim.

Then the worst happened, the car stalled and the battery was dead. I assumed it was the alternator after reading a few of the posts here. I went to a wreckers, got a second hand alternator, installed it and the battery charges great now, no dim lights in the dash, and I saved the cost of getting it done by a mechanic.

i still think it was odd that all the dash lights came on dimly, and not a strong alternator light, but a newish part seems to have fixed the prob, so if others have the wierd "dimming" effect, it might be a simple fix.

as well as checking for loose wires like the blue earth connected between the engine block and the back of the alternator.

cheers, Gareth

owner of a Volvo 240 1985 487000 kms and going strong!

 

Check battery terminals and cable ends and all ground connections.
Here's a helper for you:
Voltage Drop Testing
Ed

 

Thanks for the tip, I think there may be some problems still, as when I use the indicators the Battery light comes on dimly. i will hunt for some bad earths.

Its a big car with lots of bloody wires though.

cheers, Gareth