Help! All lights on dash are on - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

fpilot · #1 09-07-2009, 05:54 PM

Hi everyone! I have a 1986 560sl and last night I let a friend who loves to race their car, drive mine and see how peppy my car is. Well they floored it on the highway. I have never treated my baby like that. He said it got to the red line and all the lights on the dash came on (battery, oil, gas, abs brakes, all). The car still drove and drives fine but the lights will not shut off even after I turned the car and let it sit over night. What happened to my baby?

Thank you!

fourpeas · #2 09-08-2009, 06:32 AM

It sounds like your alternator belt broke or the alternator failed.

Roncallo · #3 09-08-2009, 07:04 AM

Definitely something to do with the alternator. It may start now but wont start after a few starts or after using the headlights. Probably had little to do with your drag racing episode.

fpilot · #4 09-08-2009, 10:29 AM

Oh my, the alternator belt! Is this a pricey thing? Does not sound good. Thank you all. I guess I will have to have it looked at. I thought maybe he tripped some circuit which made all the lights come on. This sounds more costly.

meltedpanda · #5 09-08-2009, 11:01 AM

easy and inexpensive fix, red line huh, got her cleaned out of carbon no doubt, good for the ol gal now and then, should run better!

fpilot · #6 09-08-2009, 11:08 AM

So this was a good thing?

So fixing the alternator belt is not expensive?

rowdie · #7 09-08-2009, 12:17 PM

Taking her out and opening her up every once in awhile is a good thing. "Italian tuneup"
If indeed the belt is broken it is less than $15.00 for the belt and an easy DIY.

fpilot · #8 09-08-2009, 12:20 PM

Thank you for easing my mind! Will the lights go off once the belt is switched or what will make the lights go off?

Thank you!

rowdie · #9 09-08-2009, 12:33 PM

I really don't know. First thing is to open the hood and see if the belt is broken. As you are looking at the engine look just below the upper radiator hose. The top unit with a pulley on the front is the alternator and there should be a belt on it.

fpilot · #10 09-08-2009, 12:43 PM

Thank you! I will check it out Rowdie!

dugald · #11 09-08-2009, 03:57 PM

I suspect our legs are being pulled.

fpilot · #12 09-08-2009, 04:09 PM

What do you mean by legs being pulled?

Roncallo · #13 09-08-2009, 09:01 PM

Its only an easy fix if it really is the belt. More likely it will require an alternator replacement by any independent you go to. This is in the $400 range.

meltedpanda · #14 09-08-2009, 09:04 PM

mrelbe · #15 09-14-2009, 11:22 AM

Also, all lights on could be a problem with the electrolytic capacitor on the circuit board. An easy fix if you know what you are doing.