Notices
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

electrical problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 25, 2013 | 07:06 PM
  #1  
fishhawk's Avatar
fishhawk
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: California
Default electrical problem

While driving down the road my warning lights on the dash will start flashing on and off,the headlights will dim and the motor will bog a little.It doesn't happen all the time,but it's doing it more and more. I'm thinking it might be the alternator. Can anyone tell me what might be causing this?
Or what tests I can do to figure it out ?
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2013 | 07:26 PM
  #2  
LScowboyLS's Avatar
LScowboyLS
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,078
Likes: 87
From: Birmingham, AL
Default

I am thinking it is likely the alternator, or a bad battery, or bad battery connections, and not just at the battery terminals, but also farther down where the terminal connects to the positive cable, under the bolt

if it turns out to be the alternator, it is likely that leaking power steering fluid caused it to die, and if you don't get the PS leak fixed, the new alternator will die in a few months as well.
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2013 | 08:11 PM
  #3  
fishhawk's Avatar
fishhawk
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: California
Default

I think your probably right, I've heard that before about the power steering. Thanks, I'll let you know what I find out.
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2013 | 08:17 PM
  #4  
LScowboyLS's Avatar
LScowboyLS
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,078
Likes: 87
From: Birmingham, AL
Default

if you get one of these for $3 - you can see the voltage fall live as it happens and confirm, but they take two weeks or so to arrive from China, and this car is gonna strand you soon!
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2013 | 08:23 PM
  #5  
fishhawk's Avatar
fishhawk
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: California
Default

Thanks, one of those would be kind of handy to have anyway.
Reply
Old Jan 4, 2014 | 07:25 AM
  #6  
shanjam's Avatar
shanjam
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: UK
Default

Originally Posted by fishhawk
While driving down the road my warning lights on the dash will start flashing on and off,the headlights will dim and the motor will bog a little.It doesn't happen all the time,but it's doing it more and more. I'm thinking it might be the alternator. Can anyone tell me what might be causing this?
Or what tests I can do to figure it out ?
Clean Battery terminals,they can come lose some have shims, just make sure clean and tight
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
choithew
SC - 1st Gen (1992-2000)
16
Apr 8, 2014 09:59 PM
JREAL
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
8
May 24, 2013 08:41 AM
SC4Hundred
SC - 1st Gen (1992-2000)
17
Feb 10, 2005 02:49 AM
tpham7
SC - 1st Gen (1992-2000)
13
Oct 7, 2004 05:41 AM
Aloha400
SC - 1st Gen (1992-2000)
6
May 21, 2001 05:02 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:50 PM.