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Dashboard lights staying on

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 6:31 pm
by Larry
Hi all,

I've got an electrical gremlin that I hope is the only thing standing between my Samurai and an MOT!!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/159946634 ... res/c0146k

These three lights appeared on a while ago, first flickering but then solid and they haven't turned off since once the ignition is on.

Has anbody got any idea what might be causing this? I've had a poke around and can't see anything. Looking at the handbrake it looks as though there is no switch for this, I cant remember if it worked beforehand anyway..

Any help appreciated. Thanks! :D

Re: Dashboard lights staying on

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2018 9:27 pm
by donkeychomp
What light first went on? Was it the battery one?

Re: Dashboard lights staying on

Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2018 5:28 am
by Larry
Pretty sure they all came on together!

I've checked voltage with ignition on and off. 14.2 and 12.7v so alternator appears to be good.

I think it has to be a grounding wire or something but I've checked anything that was obvious to me.

Re: Dashboard lights staying on

Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2018 10:00 pm
by donkeychomp
You seem to be answering your own questions lol. Alternator is ok, then the earths. Also might be worth looking at the fuse board for signs of corrosion, it does happen.

Re: Dashboard lights staying on

Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2018 10:13 pm
by Larry
:D Yes, was kinda hoping this was a normal problem with an obvious part at fault! I hate chasing electrical stuff! Will try fuses next. Cheers

Re: Dashboard lights staying on

Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2018 7:23 pm
by Larry
Evening all,

Still searching for a solution for the above problem! Starting to bug me now because as far as I can see it's all that's stoping me from getting an MOT on it!

Googling I came across a Toyota forum that said some old Toyota's throw on several dash lights at once when the alternator is bad. Could this happen on a Suzuki also?

Voltage seemed ok last time I checked (see my above post) but the battery keeps draining lately too. It's dead everytime I try to start it.


Any ideas?
Cheers,
Larry

Re: Dashboard lights staying on

Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2018 7:36 pm
by Larry
When I disconnect the wire from the top of the alternator the 3 lights on the dash go out leaving only the oil pressure light on if that gives any more clues to the problem!

Re: Dashboard lights staying on

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2018 7:24 am
by mike harris
Try unplugging the ignition switch

Big multi plug under the steering column

Sounds like the ignition barrel has fallen apart to me.

Re: Dashboard lights staying on

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2018 1:37 pm
by Larry
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the reply.

I hadn't thought of this but now that you say it, it does make sense.

I'll take a look and let you know how I get on.

Cheers

Re: Dashboard lights staying on

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2018 3:21 pm
by Larry
I've checked ignition switch.
When I remove said connector to ignition switch with 4 wires in either side and cross the solid white wire (always live) with the black/blue trace (ignition on) the lights come on on the dash and stay on. And still stay on when I then cross starter wire and engine starts and runs

I think this means the switch is ok and the fault is somewhere in the ignition live circuit?

Sorry, I'm crap at electrics!