Dash lights flashing erraticlly

[Adamal]

I just took the MR2 for a drive, and noticed that both the battery AND the oil light were flashing in unisin. However, their flashing was erratic.
I didn't notice any erratic behaviour or noise coming from the engine. I did notice that the voltmeter was sitting about halfway instead of 3/4 as I last recall (3 months ago!)

Theres a lot of dust in the engine bay from grinding, sanding, etc etc, all the stuff that comes with fitting a body kit like that.

They also did some welding to get rid of a few bits of rust.

I'm just having trouble trying to figure out what the problem is. I would imagine that they'd know enough to disconnect the battery when welding, although they may have forgot. I would have thought everything would have turned to custard if the ECU were fried though. More than just a couple of lights flashing!
Could it be that? Could the dust inside be shorting something out? Could there be dust in the alternator thats causing problems?
I checked oil level and it seems fine, gave it a bit just to be sure.
It happened as I was just driving along normally. Wasn't pushing the engine at all, just cruising. Gave me a shock so I turned around and went home.

So, any ideas here?? I'm pretty worried

[deaf_rattle]

check the battery terminals, possibly took them off and put them back on loosely.

[Adamal]

Aaahhhh.... Bloody good point. I'll go check that now. Cheers.

[deaf_rattle]

sorted?

[Adamal]

Nahh, I checked the terminal, its tight.

I did notice something interesting though.

I got in the car and turned it on. Put it in reverse and had my foot on the brake. I turned the lights on and they both came on and stayed on until the lights were up.
Then I turned the lights off and let them go down. I pulled on the stick to make the hibeams come on (and the lights popup when you do this). I held it on hibeam and they both stayed on. They kept staying on until I let the stick go.
No change in engine idle rythem or anything.

Sounds power related to me.

[fivebob]

Sounds like the dreaded SW20 alternator problem

[sergei]

probably stuffed brushes inside alternator.....

[Adamal]

Well, thanks for the info guys, but I found the problem.

You're right, its an alternator problem, but not as you were thinking!
Theres an adjustable bracket for the tension of the alternator belt. It attaches to the alternator and pulls it back as you wind it, thus tightening the belt.

The problem was that the bolt that connects the tensioner to the alternator was GONE! That would explain the belt sound I also heard, which I thought was from the belt getting a bit on the worn side or due to dust.
However, its been a bit squeeky before I dropped it off at N1, so it must have just come off while in there.
I found this after I decided to buy some engine degreaser and 5.56 to get rid of any moisture after giving it a blast.
Got another bolt, put it in, tensioned it up and shes away like a dream, generating heaps of juice. The voltmeter is almost at the top, which is where it was before.

That would also explain the problem with the drivers window not going up properly, which I thought was due to them misaligning it (had to get in there to remove dents on the door). Now it goes up just fine!

Thats a load off my mind!