I have a '96 Outback

 

Yesterday for the first time the dash warning lights for parking brake and battery started flashing simultaneously and regularly. I think they stopped falshing briefly when I coasted some times.

 

The weather was hot and the car had been parked in the sun. I don't think I had the AC on at the time. My wife said she thought she smelled rubber. When I got home I checked the belts. They didn't seem loose or hot.

 

I drove it again this morning in the cool. It still happens though less regularly. Seems to happen when I rev the engine and just as it starts to slow back down.

 

I find no mention of multiple dash lights flashing in the owners' manual.

 

Any ideas would be greatle appreciate.

thanks / Kozmo

One usually gets all the lights on the dash, the Christmas tree as we call it, when the alternator is dying. That burning smell may have been your alternator frying...

yes, check the entire charging system, belt tension, battery, etc. Good chance it's the alt.(but the recent heat is tough on batteries, especially older ones) - but cover the bases.

 

Carl

the recent heat is tough on batteries, especially older ones) - but cover the bases.

 

Carl

 

thanks to both of you. You confirm my fears. I wanted to verify I shouldn't be driving the car to the airport tomorrow.

 

oh ... and I assume the heat here (WA) isn't the same as what Lucky Texan means by real heat.

Sounds like the alternator to me... If it is, check to see if it's covered under the recall, it might be, and then you could get it replaced for free at a dealer.

 

Steve

bad alternator, bad bad alternator.

the battery could fail in short order too. i don't know exact statistics but lots of cars i install a new alternator in loose the battery within a year as well (usually much sooner). a failing alternator does bad things to batteries. i'd at least have the battery tested.

The reason those lights do what they do when the alternator goes bad is because they are in the exciter circuit of the alternator.