[MR2] MK I Check Engine/Battery/Brake Light - All On And Off AndLoss of Acc eleration Too!

[Kurt Krueger]

-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "mr27718 at juno.com" <mr27718 at juno.com>
>
> Hi:
> 
I have had similar problems in the last few days with my 1987 MK1 as well -- 
while driving the other day I have had the brake light/check engine light and 
battery light (I believe) all come on at the same time. After they have all come 
> on (and off intermittently) they dissapear and then I have loss of acceleration.
> 
Tonight while driving (it's an automatic) I noticed the lights come on, on the 
dashboard, then go off, loss of acceleration and then my headlights start to 
> fade really dim......

This question appears time and time again.  alternator.

However, why doesn't anyone ever look at the voltmeter when these
symptoms are occurring?????  That little gauge will tell you a lot.
With the alternator working, you'll see 14v or more, when the
alternator fails, the voltage drops significantly.  If it's bad
enough for the lights to go dim, you're getting pretty low.
At around 10v the electronics will start to fail.  Not sure
when the FI cuts off, but I read somewhere that 10v is the
magic number for designing automotive electronics.