Buick When starting new posts, please specify YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, ENGINE type, and whatever modifications you have made.

98 Buick LeSabre “volt” dash light

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-13-2020, 07:26 PM
  #1  
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
 
Tmille28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 32
Received 12 Likes on 10 Posts
Tmille28 is on a distinguished road
Default 98 Buick LeSabre “volt” dash light

I just replaced the alternator and serpentine belt, I checked the battery voltage afterward with a multimeter (14.7 engine running and 12.5 not running). I then noticed the dash light “volt” was on. Any suggestions?

No rush on needing a response...safe at home order still in effect for covid-19.

Thanks in advance.
Old 04-13-2020, 08:16 PM
  #2  
Senior Member

True Car Nut
 
WilliamE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: VA
Posts: 3,462
Received 573 Likes on 504 Posts
WilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Was this light on prior to replacing the batt and belt?
Dos the light stay on at all times, or just come on and stay on after you start the car?

Old 04-13-2020, 08:54 PM
  #3  
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
 
Tmille28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 32
Received 12 Likes on 10 Posts
Tmille28 is on a distinguished road
Default

The light was not on before the replacement. Once the dash gauge registers around 14 volts, the light comes on and stays on. I checked all the connections and terminals, all are clean and tight.
Old 04-14-2020, 12:33 AM
  #4  
Senior Member


True Car Nut
 
CathedralCub's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Earth
Posts: 5,592
Received 877 Likes on 806 Posts
CathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to beholdCathedralCub is a splendid one to behold
Default

Does it have the old-style gauge cluster or the new style gauge cluster?

Old style has the old-fashioned speedometer needle that sweeps from waaay left to waaay right like many cars in the `60'* and `70'*, and mostly has idiot lights instead of gauges.

The new style has `90'* style analog gauges.
Old 04-14-2020, 09:13 AM
  #5  
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
 
Tmille28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 32
Received 12 Likes on 10 Posts
Tmille28 is on a distinguished road
Default



It has an old style gauge and an idiot light for those who can’t understand a gauge.
Old 04-14-2020, 01:45 PM
  #6  
Senior Member


True Car Nut
 
carfixer007's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Flint, MI USA
Posts: 2,795
Received 1,130 Likes on 998 Posts
carfixer007 is on a distinguished road
Default

Your volt meter is reading good but the light is on. Hook up your scan tool an check system voltage with engine running. What do you get?
Old 04-14-2020, 03:27 PM
  #7  
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
 
Tmille28's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 32
Received 12 Likes on 10 Posts
Tmille28 is on a distinguished road
Default

I’ll have to take it to a shop. The only thing I have besides the multi meter is an OBD-II reader.
Thanks for the replies.

Tom
Old 04-14-2020, 04:02 PM
  #8  
Senior Member

True Car Nut
 
WilliamE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: VA
Posts: 3,462
Received 573 Likes on 504 Posts
WilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond repute
Default

You could try going by one of the car part stores like Advance Auto, they used to scan for codes for free, some Actron scanners like they have can show live data, and could display voltage.
They may not be able to help, but it is worth a shot to ask..
Old 04-14-2020, 08:41 PM
  #9  
Senior Member


True Car Nut
 
carfixer007's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Flint, MI USA
Posts: 2,795
Received 1,130 Likes on 998 Posts
carfixer007 is on a distinguished road
Default

Codes won't get it. Need to see the system voltage in live data mode. You can test the circuit for the light. It may be shorted which is what the PCM does to turn it on.
Old 04-14-2020, 09:00 PM
  #10  
Senior Member

True Car Nut
 
WilliamE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: VA
Posts: 3,462
Received 573 Likes on 504 Posts
WilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond reputeWilliamE has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Yeah I know, that is why I suggested trying someplace like Advance, they have Actron Scanners, and some Actron Scanners can read Live Data, I know because the one I have can.
Theirs are probably the cheap ones though, and may not show Live Data..


Quick Reply: 98 Buick LeSabre “volt” dash light



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:10 AM.