Picked up car last week -- has some transmission issues that I'll need to take to my local 740 guru, but trying to diagnose and fix a few problems myself, those being . . .
When drivers' side directional signal is turned on, headlights go dimmer in unison with signal (driver's side more than passengers' side).
Both the driver's side "marker lights" flash when turning on driver's side directional light (on front and top corner).
Here's the winner -- when I turn on high beams, car shuts off!
I've removed and cleaned up headlight, front directional and marker bulbs and holders, other connections I've come across, but problem persists
TIA to anyone who can help me out!
JB
'89 740 Electrical Problem - high beams on, car shuts off
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Kmaniac in California USA
- Posts: 301
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- Location: Concord, California USA
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I think you have the combination of two problems working together at once. First, I think you have an alternator that is weak and as a result, the charge in your battery is barely enough to start your car.
When I say the alternator is weak, mostly likely it is generating enough power to barely keep the battery up and also keep the alternator idiot light off.
At the same time, your battery may be 3 to 5 years old and just barely holding enough charge to start the car every time. I bet if you had to crank the starter more than 5 seconds, the starter will slow to a stop within 15 seconds. To check the age of the battery, look for the date code. Most have a sticker on one end with a letter and an number. The letter indicates month (A=January, B=February, ...L=December). The number indicates year (0=2000, 1=2001, ...etc.). Also, the date code is melted into the battery case either on the top or along the top edge.
With the alternator weak and the battery low, turning on the high beams draws more power than the battery and alternator can deliver together and doesnt' leave enough electricity to continue to run the ignition system. That's why the car stalls with the high beams on.
Again, check the date code on the battery to see how old it is. Then have someone like Sears battery express check your electrical system to verify both the condition of the battery and the alternator. Both are easy to replace yourself.
Let us know what you find. I like success stories.
When I say the alternator is weak, mostly likely it is generating enough power to barely keep the battery up and also keep the alternator idiot light off.
At the same time, your battery may be 3 to 5 years old and just barely holding enough charge to start the car every time. I bet if you had to crank the starter more than 5 seconds, the starter will slow to a stop within 15 seconds. To check the age of the battery, look for the date code. Most have a sticker on one end with a letter and an number. The letter indicates month (A=January, B=February, ...L=December). The number indicates year (0=2000, 1=2001, ...etc.). Also, the date code is melted into the battery case either on the top or along the top edge.
With the alternator weak and the battery low, turning on the high beams draws more power than the battery and alternator can deliver together and doesnt' leave enough electricity to continue to run the ignition system. That's why the car stalls with the high beams on.
Again, check the date code on the battery to see how old it is. Then have someone like Sears battery express check your electrical system to verify both the condition of the battery and the alternator. Both are easy to replace yourself.
Let us know what you find. I like success stories.
Chris the "K MANIAC"
1986 740 GLE
(5) 1964 Chrysler 300-K's
1986 740 GLE
(5) 1964 Chrysler 300-K's
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