Battery Charging Problem Gs300 Mk1

[davidjwelch]

I would be very grateful for any advice with the following:

I was driving home in my 1995 Mk1 GS300 the other day when 4 of the idiot lights came on : charging, add engine oil, replace bulb and washer fluid lights. They went off again after a few minutes. This kept happening every 10 - 15 minutes or so. As all seemed OK I assumed(hoped!) that this was just a loose connection somewhere. As I neared home I realised that all the lighting was getting dimmer and the Battery was flattening. I eventually coasted to a halt with dead electrics.

The RAC man who trailered me home gave the Battery a quick charge and the car was driven on to the trailer. In the morning the car started fine - my local garage checked out the charging system - all was OK so he replaced the Battery which was 5 years old and checked/retightened all connections.He reckoned that it was probably just the Battery at fault.

Unfortunately, tonight the same warning lights have started flashing on and off - any ideas please?

thanks

Dave

PS Probably a complete coincidence but the morning before this all started I replaced a rear stop bulb that seems to keep blowing

[Ahhhh__Aristo]

Do you have a multimeter?? if so, start the car , put the multi meter across the Battery and you should get between 13.5v and 14.7v (this is with the lights on) anything outside of this, and it points to the alternator.

HTH

[Keith Bowler]

I doubt it will be the stop light bulb problem. I kept getting blown bulbs but when I started using Phillips bulbs rather than cheepies from Halfords no problems since.

Next likely cause is Battery, may be overcharging causing drying out of cells or even shorting. But as you say Battery is new best to get alternator checked out. I would also check earthing points too.

[88b]

PS Probably a complete coincidence but the morning before this all started I replaced a rear stop bulb that seems to keep blowing

Recently I had an Astra doing all sorts of odd things, turned out the owner had just replaced a tail light. He didn't do anything wrong and fitted the correct bulb, which just happened to be faulty but worked fine if you put it across a Battery.

For the sake of £1 change the bulb

K.I.S.S. keep it simple stupid, is always a very good starting point and often the cheapest. Good luck.

[Rob]

do you have a multi meter? know how to check the current draw? if so try that it might explain why the Battery died.

but it also sounds thats the alternator isnt charging the Battery when the lights are flashing

[davidjwelch]

Thanks for the suggestions - Local garage checked that the Battery was being charged OK and all connections around alternator and charging circuit OK. Car seems OK again now so I guess I'll just have to wait and see if it reoccurs. I think I will change that bulb though!