jumping tach

[JSIL1]

Did a search and couldn't find anything so..........

My tach has been jumpin around from 0 to 2500, but with no change in actual engine speed. Tonight as it was doing the tach thing, my air bag light (or at least I think it is, it is the yellow one of the dude with a seat belt on and the air bag) started to flash intermittently with no specific pattern. I am thinking that if it is an electrical problem than this might somehow be linked to my battery draining.

Speaking of which, the battery was completely charged right before I took my roommate to the ER and then 30 min later I come out and the dash is dim until the RPMs reach 2500+.

 

[njsho38]

i had that happen to me on my when down to college in florida when i got to florida that started to happen and my transmission blew up 100 miles later my O/D light started to flash too.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

I'd be willing to bet your alt is probably on its way out. But, you should also check to make sure all the batty cables and alt. cable are tight at both ends.

 

[JSIL1]

the tranny wouldn't suprise me, this would be my 3rd in less than 2 years, and the alt is less than a year old and I tested it and it is putting out a good voltage. I will check the wires.


Afterthought: could it be a wire under the dash?

 

[JSIL1]

so today while getting lunch, the ((ABS)) light came on, then turned off, then blinked a little then ..... It goes away when I rev aswell as the other symptoms, I will attack the alternator tonight to take a look at it. anything in particular that I should be looking for (other than loose bolts)?

 

[SHOZ123]

I doubt if you will see anything by looking at the alternator. What you need is a voltmeter to monitor the running voltage. Should be above 13.5V as a minimum with a full electrical load and 1500 rpm motor speed.

 

[JSIL1]

I use the voltmeter on my charger, it says to test the ALT turn the car on with the headlights on. I rev it to about 2G and see anywhere from 13.5 to 14.2

 

[JSIL1]

well, I think I might have found the problem to my electrical issure. The alternator has finally died, it outputs 0.0.

could this be due to a bad ground??

 

[JSIL1]

Sorry for all the questions, but....

I just realized today when I was checking all the fuses that there is no rubber grommet/plug thing in the firewall above the brake pedal. I have been known to powerwash the engine bay. I realize that the chances of water getting in there are fairly high and that water will cause rust on a circuit board and lead to a short or whathaveyou. Is there a way to to check for a drian/short without having to do a visual inspection?

P.S. My mechanic told me to check that the fuses were all getting juice when the key was turned to RUN. All except for about 7 or so showed a reading on the fuse box under the dash. and ALL showed a reading under the hood. should there be some without power going to it?

my only thinking is that these are the ones for turnsignals/lights/radio things that were not on at the time of testing.


Thanks so much

-Josh