Strange Annunciators 1991 Camry, HElP!

P.B.

MEMBER
1991 TOYOTA CAMRY

My Camry started doing very strange things today.

I started the car, and found 3 annunciators that stayed lit. BRAKE, CHARGE, and LIGHTS.

I can't get an appointment with the mechanic until Tuesday, so I took the car to NAPA, where it refused to start. They changed the battery and it now starts fine, but these 3 lights are still on. The fluid level in the brakes is normal, and all the rear end lights appear to be working.

I'm concerned about the CHARGE light, I don't want to destroy my new battery by driving with a bad voltage regulator or alternator.

Does anyone have any ideas for troubleshooting this at home? Also, my manual doesn't mention it, but does the LIGHTS light come on when annunciator bulbs burn out? Could this just be a case of these lights warning me that they are burning out? I ask this because if I set the parking brake, the BRAKE light comes on brighter than if the brake is not set.

Thanks

1 Reply

FRANCIS 180

MEMBER
18 POSTS

Pb sounds like you have great dash lights anyway lol. In the old days if your 'brake' light came on it meant the alternator wasn't putting out enough voltage. Don't panic it won't kill your battery even if it goes flat. I've got the same car and my "charge and lights" one comes on and I think my air con starts up at the same time because the revs drop 100. If I was in your possition I would plan on changing the alternator first and then see what happens. You can get one from the wreckers for $50. Keep it for a spare if it doesn't fix the problem. The japs have a really strange way of wiring things lol. Work around it. Mine needs an auto electrician because the previous owner deleted a lot of my wiring but as I said I would bet schooners that you just need another alternator. Hope this helps good luck :D