Hi all,
Just joined the forum. I have a 1994 Mitsubishi Verada (Diamante). My battery went flat the other day, and I noticed the Charge/Battery light and the brake light on the dash lighting up, sometimes flashing and other times on or off. Anyway, I got a new battery, but now the same thing is happening, and the battery goes flat. Would this be an Alternator problem or short circuit somwhere? Voltage drops from 13+V to under 11V when the dash lights come on.
Any feedback appreciated.

 

I had a similar problem with my old vehicle and it was the alternator. I took it out and brought it to Pep Boys or Auto Zone and had them check it. Turned out it was bad so they kept the core and I bought a new one. It took a while plus one major stall out to determine it was the alternator.

 

Dash lights come on when you turn your head lights on eh ?

Headlights draw some amount of current; if your alternator isn't putt'n out then the battery alone is supply'n the electricity.

Makes sense that the voltage drops when lights come on.

Pep Boys, Auto Zone, Advance auto, can quickly check the alternator.

Hows the alternator belt ?
Loose ? Broken ?

DT

 

It happens irrespective of the head lights being on. In fact, the head lights dimm when dash lights come on. Belts are all fine, so will go see if I can get the alternator checked.