Hey guys, my 1st gen has been working flawlessly ever since ive owned it. But today When i stopped at a red light, all of the dummy lights turned on. It surprised me, but the car was running fine. Fine idle, good response. So when the light turned green, and i got to about 20 km/h the lights turned off.

So at the next stop light i watch my tach to see when the lights would turn on, and they turn on right when the car hits 1000 RMP and below. And will always turn off if i go 20 km/h or above. I havent checked the engine bay out yet since im at work, but i will. I think it may be a bad ground, or alt. belt broke. But any other possibilities?

Thanks guys
\\-Mark

 

I would say a bad ground, Alt., or maybe a problem with the fusable links.

 

I've had my alt go out on me, and all the lights come on as a warning.. you could have been running off the batt. at idle

 

Alternator. Mine did the same thing (but stayed on, all lights in dash) when my alternator belt snapped. Good thing I had the yoohoo belt instead of the dual alternator belts, or I would have to stop on the side of the road instead of driving home. Yoohoo FTW

 

Cool, well my Alternator belt is fie and intact, so the alternator probably needs to be replaced then. Any sure way of checking if it is making power?

 

Bring it to an alt shop to get tested. Or check the voltage across battery while running, should be about 14V, if its not than you may have an alt problem

 

Ok ill do that, It dosent seem like im loosing any power at all on my Batt. seems strong as always. weird, ill look into it.

 

I have the same problem on my motorcyle. I know it's not the same, but it is the idle sensor thingy. Basically at low idle, the car thinks it is not running, therefore all the lights come on, similar to when you have it turned off, and the key turned to accessory. All the dummy lights come on. It would do the same thing if you stalled it. The sensor thinks that the engine has zero RPM's.

Just an opinion, but this is what's happening on my bike.

 

o yea that sounds like it would be more appropriate to my problem, because my alt. is working fine. That does make sense. Any one know where this sensor is?

 

Why do you think your alt is working fine? Did you have it tested? Did you check the battery voltage?

Sounds like a classic RX-7 alternator failure.

 

yep i second that

 

Weird, so yesterday i was driving home, the dummy lights still turn on when the car is under 1000 PRM. But then at the next light, the lights dont turn on. And since then, nothing, all seems fine now. I didnt do anything. haha. I guess my rex decided to give me a break.

 

'Choke and Check' relay on the drivers side inner wing (is that a fender or is a fender a bumper?). That relay is the one that puts all the dash lights on when you first turn on. Sounds like it's dropping out at 1000rpm due to alternator voltage coming down. It's the one with a metal can cover that has bend over lugs. Inside is just a straight electomechanical relay. Make sure you have a spare in case you bust it whilst trying to clean it.
A quick test - when it happens at the roadside, hop out and tap the can cover - see if the lights go out.

 

I had a similar problem recently with the gauge lights coming on at low RPM's and speeds. My alternator was overcharging the battery. I'd get the alternator checked just to be sure, it doesn't cost anything so why not.