I was caught by this problem days ago. I drove a 1990 Camry. Sometime the brake, battery, and rear lights warning lights stayed on during driving, but sometime they were off. The odds is that these three
warning lights are either on or off at the same time. Except this the car runs well. Any solutions to this problem? Thanks a lot.

About to deal with this problem for the third time. My 1990 Camry Wagon is exhibiting the same symptoms. First I replaced a very old battery. Indicator lights went off and I thought the problem was solved although the mechanic tested the alternator and said it may need replaced soon as it was registering low. Drove the car for two days, battery went completely dead and the trio of indicator lights came on again and left me stranded on the freeway. Second repair was to put in a re-built alternator. Fixed the problem for 10 days. Driving home today, the trio of indicator lights came on again. Fearing that the car will leave me stranded tomorrow coming home from work, I am going the route of investigating the relays. I just read another link that there may be a relay related to this that could be bad. I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Dealing with the same problem where all three warning lights occassionally come on. The first time it happened, the battery eventually discharged while driving on the freeway and the car was dead. A shop replaced the battery (which was old) and tested the alternater but foud no fault with it. Since then I have been driving the car for a month and the lights have come on on two different occassions, both while driving on the freeway. Is it relay related?

About to deal with this problem for the third time. My 1990 Camry Wagon is exhibiting the same symptoms. First I replaced a very old battery. Indicator lights went off and I thought the problem was solved although the mechanic tested the alternator and said it may need replaced soon as it was registering low. Drove the car for two days, battery went completely dead and the trio of indicator lights came on again and left me stranded on the freeway. Second repair was to put in a re-built alternator. Fixed the problem for 10 days. Driving home today, the trio of indicator lights came on again. Fearing that the car will leave me stranded tomorrow coming home from work, I am going the route of investigating the relays. I just read another link that there may be a relay related to this that could be bad. I'll keep you posted on the progress.

I'm having exactly the same problem. It started the day after I took the car in for an oil change. I thought that maybe in the mechanics hurry to put in the new oil, he dripped some into the alternator. When the lights do come on, I notice that the wipers slow down, so there must be a drain going on. Luckily, I haven't had the dead car problem yet. Crossing my fingers. Any ideas?

I want to take the car in and have the problem further diagnosed by a mechanic but I think the problem is intermittent and that when the warning lights are not on, the diagnostic would not come up with anything. Therefore I am waiting for the lights to come back on before getting it diagnosed - if that makes sense!?. The lights usually come on during highway driving - in the city the car has been fine for the most part (thus far!).

Any possibility it could be the votage regulator causing the problem?

try to check any electrical leakage

Any of you folks find anyhting on this? I am having the same issue right now.

I replaced the battery, helped for a little bit.
I had the altenator tested twice and it tests fine (even under load)

Is there any further info on these Relays?

Thanks for anything,

Dave

I'm noticing that when I start up in the morning, the lights aren't on, but as I drive about 10 miles they then go on the rest of the time. Wierd, Huh? Could heat be causing my problem.

My battery finally died today. Fortunately it happened at home. I'll take it into a shop tommorrow. I hope its only the alternator though I doubt it.

For short drives the lights usually stay off but after a few miles they come on. I made a two hour trip this weekend. After about twenty minutes of driving the lights came on and about an hour later the battery was dead. The shop diagnosed the problem as a bad alternator so I will have that looked at. The first time car died (over a month ago)they looked at the alternator and it measured fine. Whatever it is, it seems to be intermitenent so I suggest when you take the car to the mechanic to diagnose it when those lights are on.

I had a similar problem on an 86 Camry a few years back. I my case it was only the battery and the brake light that came on periodically. I checked this out a couple of times with a Digital Volt Ohmeter. It's a simple test if you have a DVM. Set the DVM to 20 volts dc. Then start the car and hold one probe to each of the battery terminals. It doesn't matter which probe goes to which post. The only difference is it will show the voltage as either positive or negative, but it will be the correct reading. A good alternator should be putting out around 14 - 14.6 volts. In my case I was able to check the alternator output when the lights were on and also when they were off. With the lights on the alternator was putting out only around 11 volts (battery votage only, no charge comming from the alternator). When the lights were off I was getting around 14.25 volts showing that at that instant the alternator was charging. I simply replaced the alternator myself and the problem never surfaced again. Replacing the alternator is not too difficult of a job; just remember to disconnect the battery first.

Bugpup, I have heard that the percentage of defective rebuilt alternators can be as high as 30%, so the alternator may still be your problem. If the alternator was replaced recently by a shop I suggest taking the car back to them.

Good luck to all of you with this problem.

Mike

Thanks, Mike If I had read your message earlier, it would have been fun to do the test. However, after having the car die yesterday, I decided to let the auto shop do it. They said it was the alternator causing the problem and that a bad alternator can cause multiple warning lights to go on. Had it replaced today and now the warning lights aren't on. <crossed fingers> Now my bank account is shy $330. Oh well, that's because I'm a bad mechanic.

Well I had this problem on my 88 and I finally nailed it down to poor positive battery connection. It looked good but after I wire brushed the crap out of it everything returned to normal. My radio would go dead when I stepped on the brakes, and my warning lights glowed when I was half way to work. Just a thought.

JJ

Well, I bit the bullet. I went to my local Napa and picked up a recon'ed alternator and belt. So far (4 days, 200 miles later) all is good. no warning lights.

One interesting thing however, is when the breaks are applied, the headlights dim. I'm thinking the new alernator is putting out less amperage. Anyone know the output of the OEM part? I think the one they gave me is 70 amp.


Thanks for all the info guys.

BTW It cost me about $160 overall.


Dave

Well it appears that in fact the alternator was the problem. The alternator was replaced and all has been fine for nearly a month now (i.e. no more warning lights).

Thanks for your help everyone

Andrysek