Charging System Problem: All Idiot Lights ON

My5ABaby · \r\n \r\n \r\n 04-29-2008, 09:59 PM\r\n \r\n \r\n

well, you all know the classic alternator problem. When the alternator belt breaks and when the alternator is dying/dead all the IDIOT LIGHTS come ON to let you know your charging system is faulty and you're going to lose power.

Well, the only problem is that I have a new alternator and battery (less than 10K miles) and the problem is intermittent but all my lights came on today on my way home.

I know most of you will say it's the cluster and the soldering points coming lose and not making contact EXCEPT that when the lights come ON for a prolonged period of time (longest was 4 minutes) the battery goes down also.

I am trying to figure out what the problem is. The battery terminals are fine, the alternator is tight, the wires all look fine. I left the car on and started jiggling shit (ballsy, I KnOW, but i had not choice) and when I jiggled the alternator harness and the starter connection the lights came off and the battery began charging again.

I got in the car and drove home again but the lights turned on again, this time for 30 seconds, then they turned off and this continued for the next 30 minutes. I can't figure out if it's RPM specific or if it's a loose connection but it's pissing me off.

I'll continue checking the car and I'll connect the LED tester to see if it throws any codes at me. Stay tuned.

KEYWORDS: Alternator, Battery, Charging, System, Idiot, Lights, Cluster, Starter.