BrianG

Can anyone provide me with a COMPLETE list of what issues can set the light in the " ! " button.

Actually, I really only need a comprehensive list of the issues that will set a temporary " ! " (one that extinguishes with pushing the " ! " button.

Here's the scenario:
The " ! " button always sets some time after starting, but NOT consistently at a 3 minute interval (it may be almost right away or it maybe 10+ minutes). It seems to set upon "firm" power application, or at let-off after the firm power application. It ONLY happens once each start cycle. Even after hours of city driving it never sets the " ! " again unless the engine is stopped and restarted. If it is stopped and restarted, even momentarily, it WILL set the " ! " again at some point, but only once. If driven VERY gently the " ! " may not set.

Grounding the belt-tensioner lead has no effect upon this pattern.
The antifreeze reservoir is full.
The alternator output measures 13.88v at the battery, at idle.
The fuel is full.
The oil measures full on the stick.
All gages read nominal except the voltmeter which reads 12v at idle.
The engine runs strong and smooth.
There are no other apparent functional deficits except that the CruiseControl is U/S.

John Struthers

Brian,
How many miles, not that the lyin'as* odo. is telling the truth.
Try hitting the reset button Pass. side under that cover with the two thumbscrews on my 82' there are two resets the one for the odo counter is on the forward unit.. Groundstrap clean-up if you haven't done so, and along with the battery recharge/disconnect during charging.
That should put you in a better mood -no flashing exclamation-.
HTH

Bill 86.5 928s

Hey Bryan... My 84 " ! " indicator will come on when the side marker light at rear goes out. I'd check your lights out, tail ,plate etc and as many grounds as you can find. Man it's going to be like looking for a needle in a hay stack.....Good-luck I know how annoying that error light can be

Bill

Big Dave

When's the last time you checked your t-belt tension?

BrianG

Dave..... as I said, neutering the tensioner sender didn't alter the situation, so that's not it.

Also, the "!" sets with the lights NOT on, so I think this indicates that it's NOT a bulb issue. By the way, anybody know which bulb pairs are monitored, and which are not?

It's the "!" button on the center console that lights, not the pod "!". Frankly I think the pod "!" bulb is dead.

Beth

Let's see, going off memory, the temp items are: Coolant level, washer fluid level, t-belt tension, light bulbs, brake pad wear (? - or is that an "A" list item).

BrianG

Thanks..... must check the washer fluid! I think I've eliminated the others. Is this sender consistent with the single-time nature of the warning?

And fix the pod lights....... grrrrrrr!

Beth

Oh man, yep, check the washer fluid!!!

Last weekend took the car out for a spin and the ! light came on. Pushed the button and it goes off. Of course my heart stops for a sec. but everything seems ok. So I went on my merry way about 15 miles down the road. Spent the day watching the races at Sears Point but that light is in the back of my mind the whole day. Start car to go home and there it is again. Push button - goes out. Damn! Got home and looked in owners manual at the "B" list items for the Central Warning System. Figured I'd start with the easiest one. Car drank almost 1/2 gallon of washer fluid (where do it all go?). Started it and no "!" light. I've started it about 10 times since then and no "!" light. It was the fluid.

So who was the brilliant engineer who designed the SAME light to go on for washer fluid and t-belt tension????? That's like a broken nail or heart failure with the the same warning light!!!!!

Dozman

But Beth,

If your always sitting around an engine that is nearly baking you all day, you would want plenty of liquids too.

Sorry I couldn't help it.

figgen

Brian

Get those new bulbs in your pod! When your '!' goes off it should have a corresponding idiot light illuminate to point you in the right direction.

My guess...and it's only a guess... is one of your rear lights mismatched resistance. Why you may ask.....Because when you drive your car hard...your reverse lights light up (I was following you for a lillt bit of our Montaina trip). I think it's an electrical thing.

Greg86andahalf

Brian,

For tensioner warning ciircuit peace of mind, disconnect the tensioner lead. Leave it disconnected. Start car. let run for three minutes. watch the ! and "belt tension" light come on and . That demonstrates that the circuit is in working order. Stop engine, re-connect tensioner lead.

I concur with the washer fluid idea. I have a leaky washer fluid tank and a intermittent "!" tied to G-forces, hills, etc. If I add washer fluid, the light stays off.

Greg

Beth

Here's something I don't get - When I put washer fluid in the "!" light went out right away, so that had to be it. But, the "washer fluid" light didn't come on. I know the bulb for that idiot light is good because when I start the car it illuminates, but why did only the "!" light come on. Do they have different sensors for different levels or something?

John Struthers

FWIW,
Tail lights and Marker lights would be high on my list of suspects.

Snow pointed out a few years ago that the filler neck on the fendermount washer tank is susceptable to breakage - out of sight of course-.
If you pull the right front (rear splashguard) you might be unpleasantly suprised might check the wiring for that puppy while you are there as well as that 45 deg. vacuum splitter........soapy water folks, it's dirty back there if you haven't been there before.
HTH

BrianG

The problem with the "lighting" consideration is that this "!" is set even with no lights on. Does this not eliminate lights as a culprit?

AND, I still don't understand why there is this pattern of "once and only once" per start-cycle. I have noticed this pattern with a lighting problem. Is this the operational mode for all of the "B-list" failure warning modes?

John Struthers

Well it's down to a short/ground problem or one of your failure lights is smoked.
Did you say that everything lights up -POD lights- when you turn the ignition key to position one?
FWIW,
With a good charge on the Battery and my new-rebuilt alt. all of my mystery warn lights went to sleep including that miserable Brake Pressure warn. Removal cleaning, reinstalling, cleaning, complete fuse swap out, complete marker, running light, brake light, back-up light swap out had not helped.
Just for grins, take a close look at your emergency/handbrake mechanism, paying close attention to the release. trace to the release/sensor/switch.
Maybe sticking there.