Crazy Dash Lights...

Over this past weekend, my ‘RwABS and Brake’ lights come on intermittently, I read your comments and I will replace the ABS sensor. Going from Miami Beach where I live to Lakeland, Florida (about a 450 mile round trip), when I had my truck in cruise control, it suddenly felt like it down shifted and all my dashboard lights came and it felt like it was going to stall (lights that came on: transmission light, abs\brake, battery, power drive, etc.) and then if I give it the gas, the lights go away and this only happened twice traveling on the highway going up. On the way back home, it was worse and it did it 8 times and when it became dark and turn my lights on, it did the above symptom again and then I sped up on the gas and it was fine after. It did the same if I used the turn signals and once when I applied the brakes. My battery gauge would flicker between 12 and 16 and usually sits about 14. This flickering has been happening today. The alternator belt feels tight and there are not squealing noises when starting the car. I am leaning toward the charging system: maybe my alternator going bad again or possible defective battery (Discount Auto Parts, yeah I know what your saying…tested my original alternator before and found no problem but took it to a mechanic and he stated that the alternator was at 16 and overcharging…hence replacing my original alternator). Plus, when I am driving on the highway and get off the gas, the lights dim a little and they flicker some….any takes on this! Sorry for the long story…

Peace!

Hi there
Same thing happend to me couple of years ago , lights on dasch board went crazy.They were going away on higher rpm's. Thats an indicator of alternator going bad.I didn't bother to check it out ,just replaced it along with battery wchich was almost 5 years old and propably would't last long anyway. All the problems went away and stay away since.

I bet taht's your problem (alt) , it's not too hard to replace ,some 1/2 to 1 hour work.

One piece of advice. Get an OEM alt ,them trucks are very sensitive on voltage ,might act strangly.

Hope this would help you.

What's up...

Thanks for replying back so fast...I had a sneaky feeling it was the alternator. This is a Pep Boys alternator with a one year warranty and it was replace exactly three-months ago...I believe it has a year-year or a life time warranty...I have to look it up. So you feel that it is better to get an alternator from the Honda dealer? I might of well replace the battery to...

Thanks,

Peace



Hi there
Same thing happend to me couple of years ago , lights on dasch board went crazy.They were going away on higher rpm's. Thats an indicator of alternator going bad.I didn't bother to check it out ,just replaced it along with battery wchich was almost 5 years old and propably would't last long anyway. All the problems went away and stay away since.

I bet taht's your problem (alt) , it's not too hard to replace ,some 1/2 to 1 hour work.

One piece of advice. Get an OEM alt ,them trucks are very sensitive on voltage ,might act strangly.

Hope this would help you.[/QUOTE]

Definatly the alternator, odd dash lights comming on is a classic sign on these trucks.

The only alternators I've heard of holding up on these trucks is OEM or a Bosch (do a search in this forum for bosch alternator, I believe it was Ramblin Fever that posted the part number needed). Isuzus will eat aftermarket alternators. You could have yours replaced under warrenty but will probably end up doing it every 3 months or so.

I called the dealer and they want $625.00 for an OEM alternator....

Nah, look around on the internet, you can find an OEM cheaper then that, they're around $200-300 or so.

Hey Ramblin...any suggestions on websites offering oem alternators?

Peace!

Ramblin...how are alternators from NAPA?

Ramblin...how are alternators from NAPA?I'm not Ramblin' but,,,

NAPA alternators are usually rebuilt units from local Alternator/Starter Refurb places. If you can find a good local rebuilder you will likely be able to get one cheaper than NAPA (since you are cutting out the middle man). Additionally, in most cases they should be able to repair your alternator for less than a replacement would cost.

My alt went bad this spring. I got an Advance Duralast that night because it was the only place open, and it did anything but last. It was bad out of the box. The next day I took it back and got a new NAPA alternator. I've had good luck with it.

If you do go the "NAPA Route" you want part number 13745. There are two units listed in some catalogs for 1997 Rodeos w/3.2L V6, 13745 is the unit with the 4-pin plug. The 4th pin goes to the ECM; the ECM tells the alternator to stop charging while the vehicle is accelerating.

Hey Ramblin...any suggestions on websites offering oem alternators?

Peace!

Here is one http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1176982,parttype,2412

I dont know if the '97s used a hitachi or denso alt for OEM though (I'm thinking it was denso). Rock auto also offers the bosch for a little more money.

If you google "1997 isuzu rodeo OEM alternator" you'll find tons of alternators for around $200.

Ahhh right!!! Started my car this morning with no problems...turned the car off to go back into the house because I forgot something...went back to the car to and restart it...nothing...no power...nothing!!!! No horn, lights, only a slight beeping noise when I open the truck door due to the keys being in the ignition...I think the alternator just died!!! Any takes?

Thanks

It's working again...I was on the phone and after an i/2 hour, the truck started up! Must be that dang alternator (so much for Pep Boys alternators...only three months old and still under warranty...). I will be getting a better alternator...thanks for everyone's help!

[Would you believe a loose positive battery connector (the ones you buy from the part stores where you have to cut off the oem connector and clamp the cable onto the battery clamp). Truck was running and going to the store and all dashboard lights came on and then it stall and try to start it, no power at all,called AAA for a tow...while waiting I decided to check the battery connectors and had the light switch on, the lights would go on and off if I wiggled the cable. I took about the positive clamp and reseated the cable and it fired up with no problem...could this being loose make the dashlights go like I first stated in the above threads....nice if this is the cause...I wll keep and eye on it...

Would you believe a loose positive battery connector (the ones you buy from the part stores where you have to cut off the oem connector and clamp the cable onto the battery clamp).Yes.

Yeah. That going from a no start to a trouble free start didn't sound like the alt. Of course, hindsight is... Glad you got it fixed!

New Here,
Have been reading this thread, have the same problem with 96 rodeo ls,
replaced alternator with one from autozone, not sure if its an oem one will check into it, also i guess bosch platinum 4 plugs aren't a good thing either after reading.
will replace those also. just standard ngk plugs good for this???
Thanks for any help Dave

I've been using Champion platinum plugs with good results...
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=513382&highlight=plugs