I just started to have a problem with my DD 1st gen 12a. I noticed the lights on the dash were all on all the time. And the battery gauges isnt working and the battery is dieing slowly it barely could roll up the window today? Anyone know what is going on? Thanks
Marc

 

It's the alternator. Make sure it's working fine, and that the plug on the back is properly making contact.

 

nice ***** D.F.

 

The lights on the dash are on all the time?

i.e., the backlight for the instrument cluster?

If *that's* on all the time you'd best be checking your combo switch for the headlights, I imagine

 

No not the lights on the cluster its the parking break light, low gas...ect! so you think its the alt ill check it out in the morning! thanks
Marc

 

hmm... that's quite interesting.
And you don't have the parking break on and no gas in the tank? =)

Just for the heck of it, check your engine fuse too....
I had a blown engine fuse and it caused weird stuff with my notification light thingies...

But beyond that, I'm outta ideas =)

Good luck!

 

Here's what you do. Check the belt for the alternator. Is it slipping badly or did it manage to break off? That alternator isn't gonna spin itself. if everything looks normal with the belt and all, then check the connections like DirectFreak mentioned above. If those look good then start the car and touch a screwdriver to the flat round part right in the back of the alt. If it pulls like it's magnetic then it's possible that it is fucntioning normally. If it pulls really weak or doesn't seem magnetic at all then it is most likely shot. Good luck.

 

you gota love when your driving down the road then all of a sudden all the lights come on and you you think tyo yourself "BLOODY FANBELTS!"

like everyone else said, its a charging problem..
do the scredrver trick as said above or if u got a voltmeter, messure the voltage arross the battery when the cars revving at about 2000-3000 and if its isnt at 14v then there is a prblem..