88 camry phantom power drop?

[friskyd]

Weird problem with my beloved 88 Camry. While driving recently, the car has, on occasion, and only at high speeds, done a peculiar thing: The car keeps running perfectly normally, but all the warning lights flash on for just a split second, as if I had just turned on the ignition but not actually started the car yet. I noticed this once or twice driving from Hartford to New York a few weeks ago. Then it did it several times over the course of a few minutes on a trip back from Westchester County the other night.

Nothing appears to go wrong with the car -- no loss of power that I can recognize at all. But it makes me nervous that maybe I'm building towards some unsavory end. I recently replaced the ignition coil myself (an aftermarket replacement I picked up at auto-parts store) and adjusted the timing. I thought that had all worked out nicely, but am wondering if this new problem is related. Many thanks for any advice.

[idmetro]

Welcome to AF! This sounds like your alternator is on its way out. Get it checked out before you get stranded. There are multiple other posts you can access by running a forum search under this topic that may help explain your condition. I doubt the problem is related to your recent work.

[JOET/CAMRY]

Originally Posted by idmetro

Welcome to AF! This sounds like your alternator is on its way out. Get it checked out before you get stranded. There are multiple other posts you can access by running a forum search under this topic that may help explain your condition. I doubt the problem is related to your recent work.

I agree with idmetro,
it sounds like the altenator is on it's way out. get it tested to see if it is putting out the correct voltage. the altenator should put out between 13.5 volts to 15.1 volts. you can check it yourself if you have a (analog or digital) meter that measures volts. just have your car engine running and touch the + and - leads from the meter to the + and - battery posts.
Good luck.
Regards,
JOET/CAMRY

[idmetro]

Check the alternator belt tension as well, it could be something as simple as a loose belt. If you determine that it is the alternator and you want to try replacing the brushes yourself there are instructions stickied at the top of the forum.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...=424744&page=2

[friskyd]

Thanks for the tips. I've got a meter so can check the alternator. I hope it's not that, because the d*** thing was just replaced less than a year ago.

I'm also suspecting now that this only happens when the A/C is on. (I say "suspecting" because I think the AC has always been on when this happened, though I'm not sure of that.) The engine has always lost power when the A/C runs, and won't blow cool if the car is at a stop, so I've known that's a source of trouble for a while. But perhaps a different trouble than the one I initially described.

Thanks again. Any further thoughts similarly appreciated.

[Mike Gerber]

"Thanks for the tips. I've got a meter so can check the alternator. I hope it's not that, because the d*** thing was just replaced less than a year ago."

If it was replaced less than a year ago it should still be under some kind of warranty, whether you or a professional tech replaced it. Check your receipt.

Mike

[JOET/CAMRY]

Hello friskyd,

the engine will bog down somewhat when the ac compressor is engaged. you have to take in consideration the car is 18 years old. I imagine it's up their in mileage. as far as the ac not working when the car is idling it could be your ac idle up feature (vsv) thats broken on your 1988 camry. check out this link.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...t=JOET%2FCAMRY

Regards,
JOET/CAMRY