I have a quick question. The car I am driving is a 1999 Avalon XLS and there is no check engine light or oil or battery when I am driving the car and the engine is on.
However, there are 3 key positions. After one turn of the key there is no light on, then on the second turn the engine/oil/battery light comes on, and then when I turn fully to start engine the light goes off.
Normally I would dismiss this, but I know that when I bought the car the battery was recharged not replaced, so I am just wondering if this is normal or if there was an actual problem would the light still be on when car is running?
We have a '98 Sienna instead of an Avalon but since they have the same 1MZ-FE engine it's likely the electronics are very similar, so I'll chime in with a reply. Yes, if there is a problem with the charging system, the battery light will come on and stay on while the engine is running. I found this out the hard way last summer when our alternator failed.
We have a '98 Sienna instead of an Avalon but since they have the same 1MZ-FE engine it's likely the electronics are very similar, so I'll chime in with a reply. Yes, if there is a problem with the charging system, the battery light will come on and stay on while the engine is running. I found this out the hard way last summer when our alternator failed.
So if it does not stay on there is no problem? I did not understand your reply fully.
So if it does not stay on there is no problem? I did not understand your reply fully.
Correct. Just to elaborate:
1st position = Accessory. Lets the radio run. And probably some other stuff I'm not remembering
2nd position = On. All the instrument cluster lights come on. This is so you can verify all the bulbs are working.
3rd position runs the starter. Once started, the lights in the instrument cluster should all go out if everything's as it should be... doors are fully shut, seat belts all being worn, etc.
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1992 Camry LE, V6 (3VZ-FE), ABS brakes, 330k miles, dark emerald pearl, owned since new.
1996 Avalon XLS, ABS brakes, moonroof, white, acquired w/ 139k miles, now at 261k.
2001 Yamaha FZ1, Ivan's jet kit, resprung all around, Ohlins in the rear, Race Tech cartridge emulators in the forks, 45k miles.
1st position = Accessory. Lets the radio run. And probably some other stuff I'm not remembering
2nd position = On. All the instrument cluster lights come on. This is so you can verify all the bulbs are working.
3rd position runs the starter. Once started, the lights in the instrument cluster should all go out if everything's as it should be... doors are fully shut, seat belts all being worn, etc.
That is what I assumed because the "TRAC OFF", ABS, Airbag, and seatbelt lights all come on in the ON position.
However, I am concerned because those above signals just flash, but the engine, oil, and battery stay on when in 2nd position, but go off in 3rd position. Is this still normal? Are they supposed to just flash in 2nd?
Yeah, when the key is moved to the second position, several of them just light up for a couple seconds and then go out (without starting the engine). I don't recall which do what... I'd have to check mine, as I don't pay much attention to all that.
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1992 Camry LE, V6 (3VZ-FE), ABS brakes, 330k miles, dark emerald pearl, owned since new.
1996 Avalon XLS, ABS brakes, moonroof, white, acquired w/ 139k miles, now at 261k.
2001 Yamaha FZ1, Ivan's jet kit, resprung all around, Ohlins in the rear, Race Tech cartridge emulators in the forks, 45k miles.
That is what I assumed because the "TRAC OFF", ABS, Airbag, and seatbelt lights all come on in the ON position.
However, I am concerned because those above signals just flash, but the engine, oil, and battery stay on when in 2nd position, but go off in 3rd position. Is this still normal? Are they supposed to just flash in 2nd?
I always figured it made sense for the engine, oil and battery lights to stay on when the ignition switch is on but the engine is not running. The oil light tells the driver there is low or no oil pressure, and the battery light signals a problem with the charging system, and both of these conditions are present when the engine isn't running.
Looking at your original question from this angle, once your engine starts running, the alternator starts producing electrical power, and the condition that caused the battery light to illuminate is gone -- hence, the battery light goes out.
Anyway, as BMR points out, what you're seeing is very normal but if you're concerned about the charging system, and the health of your battery, you can put a voltmeter across its terminals. You should get upwards of 13.8 volts across the battery with the engine running.
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