Electrical Problem

wwweeeeiiiirrrrdddd, i was at a stop light and sudenlly the the warning lights on my dash came on, all the lights that come one when the switch is in "on" beafore i start the car, all of them and i just gave the car a good rev and poof they dimmed away this happened after a long trip when i got too where i was going, it was at a stop light and its really weird because sometimes they dont come on totally they just light up a little and sometimes it just lights up really good, no starting problems, battery voletage is just fine, even the low fuel warning light comes on.



HHHEEELLLPPP

1985 190E 2.3 16v EURO

[yeldogt]

Every time I have had this happen in a modern car in ended up being the battery going - I did not know why this was the case -- because the alternator was never the problem.

I always felt that the battery just started the car but have learned that it is actually much more important than that in todays autos -- it is used to smooth the voltage sine wave out.

This is why so many vital electrical parts are connected directly to the battery -- it works like a battery back up on a computer.

This may not be your problem but keep a close watch on the battery.

the battery is new but maybe the electrical conections are bad, but i dont think thats the problem. ill check anyway

[BobK]

Try this next time it happens: try turning the ignition key just a bit one way or the other and see if the problem goes away. Those ignition switches go bad and cause strange problems. Usually the fan stops working till you put some presure on the key. Otherwise, I agree with the voltage problem idea. Could be bad connections at the terminal block near the battery.

[Kestas]

Check connections on the OTHER ends of the battery cables for heavy tarnish and corrosion. They are aften neglected and a problem with older vehicles.

good tip on the ignition switch, ill try this afternoon, is it safe to spray electrical conections cleaner all over the cables?

[stevebfl]

Sounds like an alternator brush problem to me.

so i should do regular maintance to the alternator and change regulator and brushes, how much for the parts? im pretty sure i can change them myself.

already tried the ignition testing but its o.k, i dont know what else to check

[yeldogt]

This could be one of those problems that until it gets a little worse you may not solve.

I do not know if the panel has a common ground?

Do you notice a volt drop at idle indicating an alternator problem-- this should not happen. But then again the battery will take up some of this problem.


I have had a bad alternator that caused a marginal battery to fail in the end -- Even A new battery can not take it for long

nope the voltage doesnt drop......................

ok today i was cruisin at 60-70 kmh and the dash lights came on and yes the voltage did drop, so what do you think, i didnt get far checking the battery conections, i got scared!!!, ive been reading the haynes and checking the brushes and regulator doesnt look hard, but i need to know the part number for the brushes and reg. and how much will they cost, it shouldnt take more than a couple of hours to get it done right? also the battery isnt clamped to the battery plate because the battery doesnt have the lip to secure it, can that be the problem, but im putting my money on the reg and brushes.