Warning lights, SMT Warning, Battery Warning, No Gear Indicator lights and no t.

[Johnny_Bintang]

Just bought my 1999 MR S. Great car and was no problem at all coming from Devon to Cardiff.

The next day when starting the car the following warning lights came on, oil, battery and SMT. The temp gauge stopped working and the gear indicator lights and LCD stopped working.

Checked the voltage to the battery, 14.1 volts with the engine running, so alternator is ok. Gears engage properly with no lag. Oil level is fine. Car still runs fine

On restarting the car, all seemed fine but after a minute of running, the gear indicator lights stopped working and the battery light came back on. Also the temperature gauge suddenly dropped.

Anybody have any ideas?

[Gaz mr-s]

As far as I know there are no SMT experts on here.  I hope to be proved wrong.

MR2 Spyder SMT Group on Facebook is probably your best bet.  There are knowledgeable folk in it.

[Ardent]

A couple of smt owners on here

@Petrus for one.

May or may not be SMT related. I know the battery has had the multimeter on it, but quite often, when the dash lights like a Christmas tree, the alternator often turns  out to be the culprit.

@Johnny_Bintang any fault codes?

As engaging ok does not sound like smtbneeds resetting.
But all the other lights.
Back track search  alternator threads.

[Ardent]

@Johnny_Bintang

Issues above aside.
Hello and welcome. Regardless of history.
Give a service. Including a maf clean.

[Petrus]

Anybody have any ideas?

not likely to be smt related.

As was mentioned first check the alternator: The conector, regulator et all.
 
Next battery connections and mass.

[Carolyn]

A bunch of random warning lights does suggest alternator.

[Johnny_Bintang]

Thanks everyone.  OK, alternator will be checked along with associated wires. Anyone know of a good mechanic in Cardiff for MR2 roadsters?

[Carolyn]

Thanks everyone.  OK, alternator will be checked along with associated wires. Anyone know of a good mechanic in Cardiff for MR2 roadsters?

The engine is common to many Toyotas, as are many other parts.  What you need is a good local family garage with a good reputation.  You don't need a specialist.

[Johnny_Bintang]

Thanks for all the advice.  I have just taken the car out again today.  It was working fine and all lights were out with gear indicator working too.  Then it all started again.  When I got back I tried shifting gears from neutral, first, second and reverse without the engine running and it was back to normal again.  Start the engine and .... POOF! all lights on again. 

So could well be an alternator fault then?

[Petrus]

So could well be an alternator fault then?

Yes.

[MRSwede]

You should check the (- ground) connections, could occur many strange faults, with corroded or lose ground   

[fawtytoo]

when starting the car the following warning lights came on, oil, battery and SMT.

That's the same for any car prior to actually starting it. So, as Caroline said, it's electrical. But, as an SMT owner, I can tell you it's not the SMT. If it was SMT, you would only have an SMT light on and no other fault.

To add, an SMT fault would not cause the oil light to come on, nor affect the temperature gauge.

[fawtytoo]

When was the last time it was serviced?

[Johnny_Bintang]

It was serviced in August