I have a 1988 Townace and i had a flat battery a couple of weeks ago. I have sorted out that problem but the dash lights stay on constantly. ( battery light, turbo light, fuel filter light, radiator light and a cxouple of other small one's ) i suspect that it's a short somewhere but as i haven't a clue as to where to start looking i would appreciate a bit of feedback..

Thanks in advance for you help.

- (#728) Brian, 15 Apr 05 05:33

Brian you didn't say what caused your battery to flatten. The "Xmas tree" effect is usually an indication that your charging circuit has failed. Typically due to a faulty alternator or regulator and may be the reason for your battery going flat.

- (#728) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 15 Apr 05 06:38

Thanks for that... the interior lights wouldn't go out when i shut the side door and thats why the battery went flat. i sorted it out and it seems to be ok now. I have run it about for a month or so and the battery seems to be quite strong when i start it up..

- (#728) brian, 15 Apr 05 08:01

Well typically this is a sign of a problem with the alternator or regulator but seeing as how you have recently had the battery out (presumably) it would be worth checking the tightness and effectiveness of the earth connection to the battery. Also check that the alternator belt is correctly tensioned.

- (#728) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 15 Apr 05 09:01

I'm not sure but I think it worth also checking
1. the ENGINE fuse, and
2. the wires on the +ve battery terminal too. At least on some variants there is one thin one with an inline fuse. The charging regulator senses the battery voltage through that.

- (#728) Dave Mason (Sussex), 15 Apr 05 09:27

As Dave says, check all the engine related fuses- engine/ gauge/ charge. For whatever reason, the cluster doesn't know that the engine's running and the fuses are a good start, followed by the "no charge" relay if yours has one, and then the regulator...

- (#728) David Miller, 15 Apr 05 10:00