Dash warning lights
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Dash warning lights
Good morning and thanks for the add.
I have inherited my Dads 79 RX7. 118k miles. Quite happy to have this car.
Drove it about 15 miles yesterday and parked it for about an hour. Started it up and the Gen, Add Coolant light, oil warning lights were on. Checked coolant oil and voltage and all were ok.
Any Advise?
Thank you
Update....tach is indicating volts while engine is running at all RPM as well. Checked all fuses, checked belt tension, cleaned battery lugs and clamps, checked alternator at parts house(passed). Battery is ok. 12.2 volts running or not. Thought the tach only operates with keyon engine off.
I have inherited my Dads 79 RX7. 118k miles. Quite happy to have this car.
Drove it about 15 miles yesterday and parked it for about an hour. Started it up and the Gen, Add Coolant light, oil warning lights were on. Checked coolant oil and voltage and all were ok.
Any Advise?
Thank you
Update....tach is indicating volts while engine is running at all RPM as well. Checked all fuses, checked belt tension, cleaned battery lugs and clamps, checked alternator at parts house(passed). Battery is ok. 12.2 volts running or not. Thought the tach only operates with keyon engine off.
Last edited by pmwllc; 06-15-19 at 07:37 PM. Reason: update
#3
ancient wizard...
What was the actual voltage,checked at battery terminals with car running?
Do dash lights go out when you rev engine couple times?
Possible you have worn brushes in alternator or voltage regulator is having problems or a relay called a choke/check relay is having some issues.
Do two tests...1 battery voltage with engine off
2 battery voltage with car running at idle
Record results and post back. Dependent on what you find a direction can be given to further isolate the problem.
Do dash lights go out when you rev engine couple times?
Possible you have worn brushes in alternator or voltage regulator is having problems or a relay called a choke/check relay is having some issues.
Do two tests...1 battery voltage with engine off
2 battery voltage with car running at idle
Record results and post back. Dependent on what you find a direction can be given to further isolate the problem.
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Tach is indicating volts while engine is running at all RPM as well. Checked all fuses, checked belt tension, cleaned battery lugs and clamps, checked alternator at parts house(passed). Battery is ok. 12.2 volts running or not. Thought the tach only operates with keyon engine off.
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
tach is indicating volts while engine is running at all RPM as well. Checked all fuses, checked belt tension, cleaned battery lugs and clamps, checked alternator at parts house(passed). Battery is ok. 12.2 volts running or not. Thought the tach only operates with keyon engine off.
#6
ancient wizard...
Your alternator is not charging...at all,when battery voltage when not running and running is the same. Yes, the voltmeter works key on, When the alternator begins to charge,it switches to tachometer.The fact it does not is a clue,same as all warning lights on dash being illuminated.
The moment alternator initiates charging,all warning lights go out and voltmeter switches to tach operation.
How are you measuring the battery to get the 12.2 volts? Do you have a multimeter and know how to use it?
Maybe get alternator tested at another place. I don't trust a lot of these places machines...and operators using them. I prefer to test the alternator in the car.
The moment alternator initiates charging,all warning lights go out and voltmeter switches to tach operation.
How are you measuring the battery to get the 12.2 volts? Do you have a multimeter and know how to use it?
Maybe get alternator tested at another place. I don't trust a lot of these places machines...and operators using them. I prefer to test the alternator in the car.
Last edited by GSLSEforme; 06-15-19 at 09:17 PM. Reason: spelling
#7
Have RX-7, will restore
iTrader: (91)
Since you stated its a 79, I forgot to mention that the voltage regulator is a separate unit from the alternator. If the voltage regulator fails, your tach will not switch to a voltmeter and will remain non functional. I suspect that you have a faulty voltage regulator after reading your last posts. The alternator can test fine independently of the voltage regulator, I would suggest testing the voltage regulator before replacing it, but I would feel confident enough after reading your posts that I would just replace it personally.
Trending Topics
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Thank you for helping out with this. It passed the off vehicle checks at a parts house. I started up the car after reinstalling the alternator. While running, I removed the negative battery terminal and the engine died immediately. Doing this in the past with other cars has told me that there is a charging issue...yes...thinking the regulator is toast.
#11
Have RX-7, will restore
iTrader: (91)
This is very perplexing. When the voltage regulator fails, the tach will not "switch over" to a tachometer from a volt meter and warning lights will remain on when the engine is running. The wiring look good with no breaks going into the voltage regulator? The connector's pins free of corrosion and does the connector have a nice tight fit?
#12
Can Post Only in New Member Section
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Australia
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had an issue where none of my dash warning lights would illuminate with the key on.
Ended up being one of the main relays... could also be the source of your problems??
Ended up being one of the main relays... could also be the source of your problems??
Last edited by series3_rx7; 06-25-19 at 04:03 PM. Reason: spelling
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Thank you all for the tips, especially mazdaverx713b and GSLSEforme. It surely was the regulator...My girl is up and running. SO appreciative of the help. This was my Dads car and I inherited it from him and REALLY need it to make a trip to Wyoming to spread his ashes from his favorite little sports car.
Last edited by pmwllc; 06-29-19 at 05:26 PM. Reason: names
The following users liked this post:
mazdaverx713b (06-30-19)
#15
Have RX-7, will restore
iTrader: (91)
So very glad you got the issue sorted out. How did you figure out the regulator was at fault? Did you get a faulty regulator from the parts store initially?
A very honorable thing you're doing for your father!! Do you have memories in that car as a child? Let us know if we can help with the car in any other way!!
A very honorable thing you're doing for your father!! Do you have memories in that car as a child? Let us know if we can help with the car in any other way!!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
beachFC
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
3
09-17-21 08:14 AM
amunoz3
The Bad & Fugly Businesses
153
12-15-10 03:17 PM
JasonDowney
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
4
10-31-07 05:11 AM
NSXchink
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
15
01-12-06 09:35 AM