Idiot lights come half-on during acceleration

On Nov 3, 9:54 am, John Foyt <johnf... DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote:
> Here's an odd one for the group. My idiot lights are coming on when I
> accelerate fast. Not when I slowly step on the gas, and total speed
> doesn't seem to matter, just acceleration. If the lights go on, they
> stay on until I step off the gas.
>
> By "idiot lights" I mean the danger indicators - battery charge, brake
> failure, brake lights, and "service." They don't go on full, just
> about halfway. Oil light doesn't go on.
>
> I am driving a Volvo 240 DL, 1988 model.
>
> Any insight to this problem? And is it serious, or just annoying?

Just dealt with the same thing in my 82 240. i removed the alt. and
cleaned EVERY electrical connection. No more glowing. I also cleaned
any under-hood electrical connection that seemed suspect. I tend to
think it is a grounding problem that got cured when i messed with the
alt. I have trouble believing that a weak alt. or bad hook up
connection would activate all the idiot lights. then again, i've
learned to believe all things are possible when it comes to stupid
electrical problems on my 240.
 >> Stay informed about: Idiot lights come half-on during acceleration 

>
> Just dealt with the same thing in my 82 240. i removed the alt. and
> cleaned EVERY electrical connection. No more glowing. I also cleaned
> any under-hood electrical connection that seemed suspect. I tend to
> think it is a grounding problem that got cured when i messed with the
> alt. I have trouble believing that a weak alt. or bad hook up
> connection would activate all the idiot lights. then again, i've
> learned to believe all things are possible when it comes to stupid
> electrical problems on my 240.
>

On most cars, failure of the alternator will cause all the idiot lights to
come on, just as they do when you turn on the key without the engine
running. It's how you test the lights.
 >> Stay informed about: Idiot lights come half-on during acceleration