1986 240 dl - Warning Light Issue

  • Thread starter Thread starter DJ SIEGE
  • Start date Start date
D

DJ SIEGE

Ok, the other day I'm on the freeway going about 60 mph,when the red oil
light started to flicker. The faster I went 65-70 mph, it stayed on red.
(goes off when I slow down) I checked the oil level and it was normal.

Then yesterday again, driving about 60 mph on the freeway, the battery
light,brake failure, and parking brake lights came on and flashed a few
times. (I just got new brakes 3 days ago)
Today when I went to move the car all of the lights I mentioned before were
on, except now they just stay on.
Any Idea what could be causing this issue?
 
Check the small red wire on the rear of the alternator if this comes lose
this could cause your complaint

--
"*-344-*Never Forgotten"
Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as long
as I live,
nor should any American.
"Mow Green"
 
Sounds like your alternator isnt charging, Use a voltmeter on the battery
terminals while the car is running and look for more than 12 volts.
 
Check the small red wire on the rear of the alternator if this comes
lose this could cause your complaint
Click to expand...

I checked, the wire is connected but,coming apart. (fraying).
It definetly needs to be replaced.
What kind of wire should I use to reconnect it?
And, how difficult will it be to fix?
Any direction on how to fix this is appreciated. Thanks.
 
I checked, the wire is connected but,coming apart. (fraying).
It definetly needs to be replaced.
What kind of wire should I use to reconnect it?
And, how difficult will it be to fix?
Any direction on how to fix this is appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Also I was wondering , Is it a bad idea to drive around with these issues?
 
Use a voltmeter on the battery
terminals while the car is running and look for more than 12 volts.
Click to expand...

Not just more than 12 volts. It should be charging over 13.5, maybe even 14
volts.

I had an alternator problem, and it was just barely keeping things going,
charging at about 12.3 volts, but that's not enough to keep the battery fully
charged.
KennyH

Horsepower is cheaper than therapy.
 
Also I was wondering , Is it a bad idea to drive around with these issues?
You aren't charging your battery fully, and you could get somewhere and the car
wouldn't start, or if you're driving a long distance it could just stop running
somewhere. You can take it to Autozone or another parts store, they usually
have a free test that will tell you if you're charging system is okay.

I had the same problem with the dash lights a couple of weeks ago, had to
replace the alternator. $72 at Autozone, I did it myself.

If you're lucky, you may just need a set of brushes. These come attached to
the regulator, which is what you have to ask for at the parts store. These are
$25 at Autozone, and can be replaced without removing the alternator, from
above the engine (no crawling around.) I tried this, but they didn't fix my
problem. I then exchanged them for a new alternator.

Maybe you have a friend to help you do this? Pretty easy, really. Just need a
set of wrenches and maybe some ramps or jack-stands to get the car up off the
ground so you can crawl under it easily.
KennyH

Horsepower is cheaper than therapy.
 
[email protected] (KHanawalt) wrote in
You aren't charging your battery fully, and you could get somewhere
and the car wouldn't start, or if you're driving a long distance it
could just stop running somewhere. You can take it to Autozone or
another parts store, they usually have a free test that will tell you
if you're charging system is okay.

I had the same problem with the dash lights a couple of weeks ago, had
to replace the alternator. $72 at Autozone, I did it myself.

If you're lucky, you may just need a set of brushes. These come
attached to the regulator, which is what you have to ask for at the
parts store. These are $25 at Autozone, and can be replaced without
removing the alternator, from above the engine (no crawling around.)
I tried this, but they didn't fix my problem. I then exchanged them
for a new alternator.

Maybe you have a friend to help you do this? Pretty easy, really.
Just need a set of wrenches and maybe some ramps or jack-stands to get
the car up off the ground so you can crawl under it easily.
KennyH

Horsepower is cheaper than therapy.
Click to expand...

Well, I did'nt listen.
I went to visit a friend ,and on the way home from my friends house
about 2 cities away from home the car starts to sputter a bit then the
dash lights started dimming, then no headlights.
Car barely running I made it to the front of my grandparents house and
left it there (it would'nt restart) Hell, I was lucky to make it home at
2 in the morning without seeing 1 cop car.
Anyway, the worst happened, so any info on what I should do from here is
again appreciated.
 
[email protected] (KHanawalt) wrote in


Well, I did'nt listen.
I went to visit a friend ,and on the way home from my friends house
about 2 cities away from home the car starts to sputter a bit then the
dash lights started dimming, then no headlights.
Car barely running I made it to the front of my grandparents house and
left it there (it would'nt restart) Hell, I was lucky to make it home at
2 in the morning without seeing 1 cop car.
Anyway, the worst happened, so any info on what I should do from here is
again appreciated.
Click to expand...

Looks like the wire on the back of the alternator is just falling apart.
if I replace the wire looks like it should work again.
What kind of wire should I use.
 
Use the same type of wire you will have to cut the harness outer casing down
to find a good piece to splice in to as I said before if the small wire is
not attached or not in good shape the alternator will not charge
Glenn

--
"*-344-*Never Forgotten"
Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as long
as I live,
nor should any American.
"Mow Green"
 
Use the same type of wire you will have to cut the harness outer
casing down to find a good piece to splice in to as I said before if
the small wire is not attached or not in good shape the alternator
will not charge Glenn
Click to expand...

Well since you mentioned splicing wires, I might just get a new alternator.
Because splicing wires would probably lead to problems in the future.
Right?
 
No even if you purchase a alternator you will still have to either repair
the wire or breakdown & purchase the engine wiring harness which is not
cheap I had the same problem on my Volvo as I stated just cut the outer
casing down until the dried wire is now soft & pliable just cut & splice
either with a solderless connector or solder & tape
Glenn

--
"*-344-*Never Forgotten"
Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as long
as I live,
nor should any American.
"Mow Green"
 
No even if you purchase a alternator you will still have to either
repair the wire or breakdown & purchase the engine wiring harness
which is not cheap I had the same problem on my Volvo as I stated just
cut the outer casing down until the dried wire is now soft & pliable
just cut & splice either with a solderless connector or solder & tape
Glenn
Click to expand...

Ok, I'll try that.
And thank you.
 
Your Welcome

--
"*-344-*Never Forgotten"
Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as long
as I live,
nor should any American.
"Mow Green"
 
Ok, I'll try that.
And thank you.
Click to expand...

The wires are coroded badly.
Should I use anything to clean the wire to make the best connection at the
splice?
If so, what's a good grime cleaner?
 
There really is not anything that i know of to do that what I have done on
my own car is to follow the wire down to were it is in good shape then
splice there
Glenn

--
"*-344-*Never Forgotten"
Is for the New York City Firemen who lost their lives on September 11,2001.
The official count is 343, but there was also a volunteer who lost his life
aiding in the initial rescue efforts. And I will never forget them as long
as I live,
nor should any American.
"Mow Green"
 
DJ SIEGE said:
Ok, the other day I'm on the freeway going about 60 mph,when the red oil
light started to flicker. The faster I went 65-70 mph, it stayed on red.
(goes off when I slow down) I checked the oil level and it was normal.

Then yesterday again, driving about 60 mph on the freeway, the battery
light,brake failure, and parking brake lights came on and flashed a few
times. (I just got new brakes 3 days ago)
Today when I went to move the car all of the lights I mentioned before were
on, except now they just stay on.
Any Idea what could be causing this issue?
Click to expand...

How's the engine wiring harness? It's notorious for falling apart on a few
years, including your '86. I had to patch up the harness on my mom's '86
until I have time to replace it, insulation was crumbling off all over.
 
DJ SIEGE said:
Looks like the wire on the back of the alternator is just falling apart.
if I replace the wire looks like it should work again.
What kind of wire should I use.
Click to expand...

How many miles are on the car? The voltage regulators (integral to the brush
pack) tend to wear out after 150-200k miles, you'll get the same problem,
intermittant charging followed by complete failure. Removal is a breeze,
installing the new one can be a bit tricky with the angle but it's only two
screws in the back of the alternator. Don't force it as the plastic casing
can break.
 
DJ SIEGE said:
Well since you mentioned splicing wires, I might just get a new alternator.
Because splicing wires would probably lead to problems in the future.
Right?
Click to expand...

No, a new alternator won't stop you from having to splice wires. I've never
had an alternator actually fail, usually it's just the regulator, it's a $40
part, as opposed to $200-$300 for a whole alternator.
 
How's the engine wiring harness? It's notorious for falling apart on a
few years, including your '86. I had to patch up the harness on my
mom's '86 until I have time to replace it, insulation was crumbling
off all over.
Click to expand...

Yes the insulation on the wire to the OPS is completely gone and the
wire was destroyed from time.
Now I need to find the small push clip and the metal connector to go in
the OPS. The one I took out fell apart in my hand. (I wish I could show
a picture of the part, Is that allowed here?)
I have 14 gauge wire and my soldering gun, but I need a new clip to the
OPS. the small metal clip won't reopen for me to connect the wire
properly.
Anyone have any Idea where I might find The Part to clip the wire in to
the OPS?
 
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