VDC light on - brake lights don't work

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SteveFinn
Posts: 39
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2011 12:55 pm
Location: Clarks Summit PA

VDC light on - brake lights don't work

Postby SteveFinn » Sun Jun 18, 2017 6:20 pm

VDC light came on a few weeks ago. I didn't have it looked at Bc I wasn't concerned.

Finally had it looked at by my mechanic.....indicated brake lights out. Possibly I was driving for weeks with no brake lights. Bulbs were fried. My mechanic tested voltages at switch and sockets, nothing unusual according to him. Put new bulbs in and VDC light went out and brake lights worked (for a few hours). Back to having no brake lights again. Thinking of having him replace the switch even though he said it is good.

Any ideas? Also, I just tested battery voltage. 15.6 engine off, 18.6 volts engine running. Is that way too high? Battery is a month old.

Thanks


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smj999smj
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Location: Prospect, VA

Postby smj999smj » Sun Jun 18, 2017 8:32 pm

Your charging system voltage is too high. Charging system voltage should be 13.2-15.5 volts. You should address this ASAP before you fry one or more of the control units!

SteveFinn
Posts: 39
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2011 12:55 pm
Location: Clarks Summit PA

Postby SteveFinn » Tue Jun 20, 2017 6:07 am

a new brake light switch has apparently cured the VDC & No Brake Light issue. Still need to deal with the overcharging alternator....

SteveFinn
Posts: 39
Joined: Wed Apr 06, 2011 12:55 pm
Location: Clarks Summit PA

Postby SteveFinn » Wed Jun 28, 2017 4:57 pm

Also, my overactive alternator turned out to be a digital multimeter with a dying battery. With a fresh 9-volt battery it now reads 12.5 off & 14 volts with the engine running.

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smj999smj
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Posts: 6054
Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:13 pm
Location: Prospect, VA

Postby smj999smj » Fri Jun 30, 2017 2:45 pm

SteveFinn wrote:Also, my overactive alternator turned out to be a digital multimeter with a dying battery. With a fresh 9-volt battery it now reads 12.5 off & 14 volts with the engine running.
That sounds a lot better.


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