Brake Light and Battery Light On

In the two odd years I've been driving this '99 Hyundai Accent, the
brake and battery light have always flickered in rhythm with the rpms
of the engine. The one time I had it checked out, the garage gave the
alternator a yellow, (caution) warning. They said it was still
working but wasn't in the best condition. Now today for the first
time, these lights are on and won't go off. Also in the recent past I
was told the brake cylinders were leaking and had two of them
replaced. Brake fluid levels seem to be fine as well.

What should I do?

Any help is appreciated.

Chris

 

It seems you already have your answer. You've already been told that the
alternator was weak, and now your symptoms have gone from flickering to full
on. How about replacing that alternator now?

 

How much do you think that will cost?

Chris

 

Not so long ago parts like Alternators/Starters could be repaired. New
brushes, regulators etc. Is that no longer the case? Damn sight cheaper than
a new replacement.
John

How much do you think that will cost?

Chris

 

Whatever you were told the first time. How could anyone tell you what it
would cost when prices depend on where you live? You've already been told
what is wrong by a qualified mechanic, who likely quoted you a repair price,
which you elected not to exercise. You have all you need - now just go do
it. Want to try to get a better price? Call a couple of aftermarket stores
like Advance Auto or Auto Zone.

 

Where I live in Central NY John, there is a shop that will still repair most
alternators for around $65. They are worth looking for in my opinion, but
most people who ask really basic questions like Chris' don't generally want
to go this route, or seem stymied by the thought of finding a shop that
repairs alternators. Easier just to send them to the store.

 

Alternators can still be repaired, but the time involved is a hassle if
it's done right, as it should be completely stripped, cleaned and rebuilt.

It's easier to just buy a rebuilt alternator, then return your old one
to the seller to recover the "core charge" after you've installed the
rebuilt unit. It's been a while since I had to replace an alternator,
but I recall the rebuilt units going for somewhere in the $65-$75 range
(plus the core charge). It's usually worthwhile to see if there is a
local rebuilder in your area that you can buy from, but rebuilt units
are available at most auto parts stores.

 

A bit tedious to do but very cost saving, last time I did
an alternator was in the 1980s for under $5.

 

Some of the rebuilt available at the parts stores have been rebuilt in
China. The cores are then sent to China for rebuilding.

The last time I replaced the starter on my Dodge truck it was a
Chinese rebuilt.

Old_Timer

 

I suspect you have an intermittent /corroded connection
and there is nothing wrong with the alternator
is the alternator belt loose?
I would start by checking and cleaning all the
electrical connections. On the alternator,
(ALL of them) you can spray deoxit gold 100
on the disassembled terminals.
if the connections have turned black, green, etc...
clean all the contamination off.
very often a bad connection will lead you to
believe that an alternator or other part is bad,
even when it's still good...
even a bad connection on the computer
equipment. this may send you on a wild goose
chase.
unplug the brainbox, relays, connectors and spray
deoxit gold 100 into all that stuff,
plug and unplug to distribute the contact preservative
around, inside the deepest connections.
going through and cleaning, checking, tightening may well solve
this problem. use only HIGH QUALITY contact
cleaner which is safe on PLASTIC! This is made by
CAIG chemical, and it IS NOT relay cleaner.
Cheap contact cleaner is inferior and may damage
(melt) plastic. Relay cleaner will MELT plastic.
If you have cleaned all this stuff and confirmed that
there are no loose plugs, etc...
your alternator can be tested for free at an auto parts
store.
From what you are describing, I doubt the alternator
is really bad, although I will not say impossible.
The deoxit spray is non shorting and does not interfere
with operation when it's wet. you can spray it and run
it right away, it's non flammable.
Generally speaking, repair shops have no clue when it
comes to automotive electrical, and you are better off
finding an automotive electrical specialist. Otherwise
you may wind up replacing a bunch of parts for no real
verifiable reason, then the problem comes back again.
Even a bad solder connection on the computer PC
board could cause this. bad connections can be found
by tapping, wiggling, etc.. to narrow the area where the
intermittent exists.

 

Beware cheap "rebuilt" alternators and starters. Those cores are shipped
to China where they sandblast them then send them back and there's your
$65 "rebuilt". My son and I replaced his alternator 3 times ( a lot of
wasted labor) and each one was bad. We spent $100 on a name brand
rebuild and it's still working years later.

 

I'm seeing costs of $90-125. I tried to buy brushes for my 99 a
couple of years ago and was told by the dealer that nobody rebuilds at
the local level anymore so they don't stock parts like brushes. If
you want to play you can try changing the brushes on the unit but you
will have to find some somewhere. They don't seem to be sold to the
public.

 

So just a followup. Apparently the alternator was dead. Rebuilt one
installed was $500Cdn. Didn't have much of a choice.

Chris

 

I sure hope that included the Vaseline.

--

So just a followup. Apparently the alternator was dead. Rebuilt one
installed was $500Cdn. Didn't have much of a choice.

Chris

 

$500????? You are not serious I hope.

 

Totally serious. Parts and labour=$500. I called a Hyundai
dealership as well and it was about the same price.

Hey I just did what you told me to do.

Chris

 

Thats not that bad a price. Its so bad on an XG350 that a lot of the time
it makes sense to go ahead and have the timing belt done at the same time as
much of the required labor is the same. I did anternators on both my
XG350's and its a pain!!! Not to mention, the alternators are around $200
to begin with (this is for a rebuilt).

By the way, on the XG350 the brake light and battery light are wired
togeather so they both go on when the alternator fails. I have no idea why
they did this, but I suspect your Accent is the same.

Dan

 

Totally serious. Parts and labour=$500. I called a Hyundai
dealership as well and it was about the same price.

Hey I just did what you told me to do.

Chris

Well - you did the right thing by getting it replaced, but that price...!!!
Holy cow man. The worst I would have expected would have been around $200 -
$250 US. Then again - I don't pay for repairs so it's easy to get out of
touch with pricing.