Problem with battery light and brakes light on the dashboard

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Metalaid - 03 Dec 2006 07:25 GMT

Hey guys!
I have a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT.
My car was running fine until yesterday (no warnings, etc) that I gave
it to a person to do a paint job on it.
When I got the car I noticed that the Battery light was on as well as
the Brake warning light in the panel.
Also I noticed that my radio was reset to default (which gave me a hint
that the battery got discharged at some point).
I read in the manual that the brake warning light might mean that the
brake fluid needs to be refilled, however I checked and everything is
fine. The light is on still. Also when I took the car to check for the
brake fluid and shut it down, and then tried to start the engine, the
car wouldn't start (the battery died). I got some assistance to start
the car and both lights stay iluminated. If I accelerate the car to
high RPMs then the lights turn off but as soon as the RPM is back to
idle or normal RPM for driving around the lights stay on.
I had the alternator checked about 5 months ago and some parts were
fixed. I am thinking that the battery will need to be changed for the
lights to be off completely. Am I on the right track? I don't
understand why the brake light is on if the fluid is ok and brakes seem
to be fine as well.
Any suggestions are welcome.
As always thank you very much for your help.

Regards,
Teo

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Stewart DIBBS - 03 Dec 2006 16:23 GMT

> When I got the car I noticed that the Battery light was on as well as
> the Brake warning light in the panel.
> Also I noticed that my radio was reset to default (which gave me a hint
> that the battery got discharged at some point).

Do you still have the same battery you had before the paint job? Wouldn't
be the first time that a paint shop has switched batteries (they of course
just manage to mix them up...).

Anyway, all the check lights on usually means the alternator has died.

Signature

Stewart DIBBS
www.pixcl.com/lancerproject.htm

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GK - 03 Dec 2006 16:33 GMT

> Hey guys!
> I have a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT.
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> Regards,
> Teo

My first guess is some plug or connector is loose or maybe a ground
cable was left disconnected.
My second guess is maybe some paint got into the alternator and somehow
screwed that up or that the alternator just plain has a problem,,,but,
since it all happened together I would go back to looking for
disconnected or missing connectors or ground wires.

Check the output of the alternator with a voltmeter, then check the
battery voltage, then check for any voltge drops between the frame or
case of the alternator and the negative terminal post of the battery.
Similarly check for any voltage drops between the +12volt output of the
alternator and the positive terminal of the battery.

Also see if the negative post of the battery is at the same voltage as
the frame of the car.

Several auto parts shops in the US, like Autozone test alternators free.

GK

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Buffalo - 04 Dec 2006 15:58 GMT

I believe the brake light goes on when the fluid is low and/or when the parking
brake is on. Perhaps try setting and releasing the parking brake several times.
As for the battery, have it checked as it may have failed in one or more cells.
(Do a specific gravity test).
Otherwise, it may well be your alternator also is giving out which can happen
when a battery is shorting out.

> Hey guys!
> I have a 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT.
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> Regards,
> Teo

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