02 TD5 Cruise, Driving lights, Check engine light!!

[pormpaul]

Hey Everyone,

On returning from Alice Springs yesterday. After haivng covered 450kms with the cruise control on the whole time. It was strating to get dark about 50k from home. I put lights on as normal. Then switched on Hi -beam when all of a sudden Cruise control disenganged and the check engine light came on!. Pulled over. Switched off and on again. Everything worked fine and continued.

Any thoughts?

P.S thought I would share a pic of my munchkins!!!


http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/246579_10151179068603275_600396651_n.jpg

[Rok_Dr]

I'm not an expert but my first thoughts would be a bad earth or poor electrical connection some where.

I had a similar problem with a brand new Toyota V8 70 series hire wagon, last week in Alice. The blocked fuel filter light triggered in concert with dash lights randomly flashing and a loss of power on high beam. Fuel filter was clean as a whistle. The client was not happy as it restricted what we could achieve in the time available in the field. At the end of the day it appeared there was a loose connection most likely in the extensive suite of after market electrics fitted to the vehicle so that it it could gain entry to minesites.

Cheers

Steve

[allnewlife]

As with any computer ecquipped vehicle, ECUs need a stable electrical environment to work. Things that can upset the system include:-
1) Poor quality low capacity battery. Should be the largest sealed calcium, or better battery.
2) Loose and/or corroded battery Terminals/electrical connections.
3) Alternator brushes/regulator need replacing. Worn brushes can cause inconsistent output/voltage fluctuations, even though the dash warning light may not indicate a problem.

[pormpaul]

As with any computer ecquipped vehicle, ECUs need a stable electrical environment to work. Things that can upset the system include:-
1) Poor quality low capacity battery. Should be the largest sealed calcium, or better battery.
2) Loose and/or corroded battery Terminals/electrical connections.
3) Alternator brushes/regulator need replacing. Worn brushes can cause inconsistent output/voltage fluctuations, even though the dash warning light may not indicate a problem.

Its not the Battery, Thats Brand new, Terminals and connections are all fine.
Must be the Alternator. How can I test it? How hard are they to replace.

[nedflanders]

Doesn't sound like an alternator if after restarting it was OK, sounds more like a bad earth, maybe switching the spots on put to much load on a bad earth which cut the cruise, finding it though is another matter!