7 warning lights just came on - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 07-02-2002, 04:46 PM

I'm new to this forum and have scoured the archives looking for a solution to my problem, and found none.

While driving my 1991 560SEL, 7 of the warning lights came on.

On the left side --> Battery, Brake, Pad wear, Low oil, Low coolent (all but the high beam light)

On the right side --> Wiper fluid, Exterior bulb out (ABS, SRS, and Check Engine lights function normally, on at ignition, off just after)

Can anyone offer any insight as to where I should check first? I have checked all of the fuses and all meter OK. I pulled fuse #6 and the most of the lights go out.

In case it has anything to do with it, the battery was replaced a month ago.

The car starts and runs fine, I'm just not sure for how long though......

Thanks in advance for any help.

suginami · #2 07-02-2002, 04:48 PM

Others owners have indicated this is a sign of your alternator going out.

Try a search under alternator and see what comes up.

engatwork · #3 07-02-2002, 08:37 PM

What could have caused the battery to go bad a month ago? I would suspect the alternator.

#4 07-02-2002, 08:44 PM

I agree. On tonight's drive home, all hell broke loose. It started with the radio (of all things) cutting in and out. I thought I was just losing reception until every station started doing it. looked down at the instruments to find that ALL the lights were on now (including SRS and ABS), not soon after, the AC started blowing hot, and then the tach dropped to zero. It was 95 degrees here today, so I tried to open one of the windows and it was very slow, so I thought it was best to put it back up. I hobbled home, in the 95 degree heat (black car), with the windows up.

Once safely in my garage, I shut it off, and got the "click" you get with a dead battery. It jump starts OK, so I'll bring it in tommorow, it's only a few more miles.

Looks like the alternator to me.

#5 07-08-2002, 02:07 PM

The problem was a snapped alternator belt. $20, installed it myself.

pentoman · #6 07-08-2002, 05:52 PM

Wow, look at that - there is such a thing as a cheap fix for a 560 SEL. I'm impressed. After sitting in a '93 W202 C-class today (which was absolutely horrible) I think I'm going to spend the rest of my life driving 1980's MBs, so its good to know I could sensibly run a 560SEL

. Maybe when I have some more money, though!

#7 07-08-2002, 07:48 PM

It was an easy job, too. A couple or wrenches. I had to remove two other belts and the pivot locking nuts were all easily accessible. Those germans really know how to make a car... or at least they did in 1991.

Keith