Alternator and ABS/VSC/VSC OFF Lights
10-07-11, 01:28 PM
#1
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Alternator and ABS/VSC/VSC OFF Lights
Okay, I've searched and read as much as I can on this issue and still don't have a handle on what is the cause of this situation. Here is a summary:
Here's my situation.
98 GS4 184k. No suspension work in last 12 months. Stock suspension. No leaking fluids
2 1/2 months ago car wouldn't start one morning. Jumped it and took it to have the battery tested. Tested good but needing charge. Charged battery and all was good.
4 weeks ago same issue. Cleaned terminals, added distilled water to battery and put on charger. Wouldn't take a full charge so installed a new battery.
Last week started the car and got a loud humming noise from engine. Humming speeds up with RPM but gets quieter after motor runs a while. (Traced the humming to the area around the P/S pump and/or alternator.) On my way home the VSC, ABS and VSC OFF lights came on. Car seemed to run fine. Got home, shut off car and re-started. No VSC, ABS or VSC OFF lights came on. All is fine except for the humming noise is back when engine is cold.
Now after a week I've had three more instances where the ABS/VSC/VSC OFF lights have come on and stay on until I restart the car. Car seems to run fine regardless of what the lights might indicate. NO CEL.
Today I took the car and had the alternator and battery tested. Battery fine, alternator showed "Open Diode" (whatever the hell that means)
The guy doing the testing said I most likely have an intermittent issue and that the alternator is working but to get ready to replace it.
I know somebody will suggest checking the speed sensors and I will check to see if there are any codes but since the suspension hasn't been touched in a very long time I kinda doubt they are the issue unless they failed on their own. Haven't really read where this happens.
What say you?
Here's my situation.
98 GS4 184k. No suspension work in last 12 months. Stock suspension. No leaking fluids
2 1/2 months ago car wouldn't start one morning. Jumped it and took it to have the battery tested. Tested good but needing charge. Charged battery and all was good.
4 weeks ago same issue. Cleaned terminals, added distilled water to battery and put on charger. Wouldn't take a full charge so installed a new battery.
Last week started the car and got a loud humming noise from engine. Humming speeds up with RPM but gets quieter after motor runs a while. (Traced the humming to the area around the P/S pump and/or alternator.) On my way home the VSC, ABS and VSC OFF lights came on. Car seemed to run fine. Got home, shut off car and re-started. No VSC, ABS or VSC OFF lights came on. All is fine except for the humming noise is back when engine is cold.
Now after a week I've had three more instances where the ABS/VSC/VSC OFF lights have come on and stay on until I restart the car. Car seems to run fine regardless of what the lights might indicate. NO CEL.
Today I took the car and had the alternator and battery tested. Battery fine, alternator showed "Open Diode" (whatever the hell that means)
The guy doing the testing said I most likely have an intermittent issue and that the alternator is working but to get ready to replace it.
I know somebody will suggest checking the speed sensors and I will check to see if there are any codes but since the suspension hasn't been touched in a very long time I kinda doubt they are the issue unless they failed on their own. Haven't really read where this happens.
What say you?
10-09-11, 06:00 PM
#6
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boombastic
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
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