My wife just called me and said that while she was out running errands most of thedash lights became illuminated. The car continued to run fine and all electrical systems are functional (blower motor, radio, lights etc..)

the indicator lights that came on: (as best I remember from the conversation)
parking brake
light bulb indicator
service
check engine
SRS - but then turned off after a short time

This car is a 93 940 with a Regina ignition. 292,000 miles. I recently replaced the battery but wondering if the reason I needed to replace the battery was because of poor charging from the alternator. Could low volts from the alternator cause the lights to come on?


It has been up to 10 below zero here for the last few night but the car has started right up in the mornings.

Thanks in advance for all responses.

Matt

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'90 245 278k, '93 945 271k

Dear matt82dl,

Hope you're well. It is possible that the alternator's drive belt has broken, and that the alternator stopped refreshing the battery. The car will run fine, until the battery has been been drained.

While it is indeed possible that at 292K miles the alternator needs new brushes, I'd check the belt first.

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook

thanks I'll have her check that.

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'90 245 281k, '93 945 292k

Is replacing the brushes and voltage regulator on this Nippon Denso Alternator a straight forward affair?

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'90 245 281k, '93 945 292k

Denso brushes are more work to replace, but longer-lasting than Bosch, IMO.

You;ll need to put the alternator on the bench or in a vise to work on the back end.

Below is what I have in my "canned posts" on the Denso...

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Part # 3544588 Denso Alternator - Brush set

When I got one in 2/06 it was $8.82 at 20% off from Beechmont Volvo.
Should have gone for two or three.
Tasca's discount price is now $31.65 (on 2-17-11)

Brush unit and Voltage Regulator shown below (photo by Randy Starkie I think) so you'll get an idea of how to get at the brushes.



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Bruce Young, '93 940-NA (current), 240s (one V8), 140s, 122s, since '63.

Low voltage is the usual cause of all the warning lights coming on.

Greg