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Electrical mystery

Tiny
HARLEYD
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 MITSUBISHI MAGNA
  • 193,000 MILES
Hi, the ANTI LOCK and battery light come on at the same time-the radio goes off as well as the park lights. The headlights stay on, the engine seems unaffected. This happens for a few seconds, quite randomly. I have cleaned and checked terminals and looked for loose wires.

Please help as I am unsure if it will conk out with my family in it. I am a qualified mechanic with good knowledge of electrics (or so I thought)

Thank you!
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Thursday, July 19th, 2012 AT 1:22 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
When the battery light comes what is the voltage read at the battery?We need to see if the problem is effecting the charging system or just the battery light?They make a cig volt meter inova makes one.
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Thursday, July 19th, 2012 AT 3:44 AM
Tiny
HARLEYD
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
So if I plug the volt meter in I could glance down at it and see if the voltage drops at the same time as the issue happens? Is that what you mean?

Thank you :)
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Thursday, July 19th, 2012 AT 3:50 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Yes that could narrow the problem down a little.I have seen failing alternators take the radio out and the engine still runs.
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Thursday, July 19th, 2012 AT 5:27 AM
Tiny
HARLEYD
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Could you explain how that is possible please? In my head it doesn't make sense but you are the second person to suggest alternator problems.

Thank you for your help:)
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Thursday, July 19th, 2012 AT 5:41 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
The battery light usually comes on when the voltage drops bellow the voltage value programed into the computer. When you get a voltage drop it wont effect the whole electricial system evenly so something can shut down while others stay on.I have seen it many times before where the computer operated transmissions are slipping in and out of gear the engine is still running fine radio goes etc from failing alternators unstable voltage etc.
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Thursday, July 19th, 2012 AT 6:09 AM
Tiny
HARLEYD
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Ah, so it is because it has a computer controlling the electrical supply to various components.

Thank you.
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Sunday, July 22nd, 2012 AT 10:26 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Some of it like the engine computer transmission computeretc. But not all of the electrical system.
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Monday, July 23rd, 2012 AT 8:42 PM
Tiny
HARLEYD
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Ok, thanks saturntech9, I appreciate your help.
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Monday, July 23rd, 2012 AT 10:27 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
No problem thats what were here for.
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Tuesday, July 24th, 2012 AT 2:02 AM
Tiny
HARLEYD
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Hi, I still haven't found the problem with the car, and now the HANDBRAKE light comes on with the other lights!

Any ideas please?

Thank you.
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Thursday, August 30th, 2012 AT 8:11 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
So did we ever see what the voltage at the battert was when the battery light came on?
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Saturday, September 1st, 2012 AT 9:06 PM

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