Check Engine Light Comes on with Headlights

[Raminator157]

Today on my way to a fire call my check engine light came on. When I can back I turned on my headlights and it came on, then I turned them off and it went away, then I did this again and the same outcome. I think maybe its saying my battery is drawing too much energy or I need a new one. Any thoughts?

 

[mrboyle]

First things first, get the codes read!

 

[Opera House]

Does the voltmeter take a dip, temp gauge change suddenly, or do the lights flicker a little? Haven't heard this one before, but you can have problems when the ground straps from the engine to the car body corrode. You are in one of those heavy salt states. I'd try running a new wire from the block to the body. The engine is basically isolated by rubber mounts and when the ground straps go, the only path is through the bearings.

 

[Raminator157]

Now that you mention it, I put some grounds to the same place as to where my battery is grounded. The grounds were to some aux lights that arent on with the regular lights. Do you think that I have too many grounds going to the one spot? Also the Volt and temp gauge stay normal and the battery light does not come on

 

[jared ajlouny]

it doesnt matter how many things u have on 1 ground

 

[jimbo74]

sounds like you may have an electircal short somewhere and nothing may actually be wrong with the truck, hows its performance... and get the codes read to elimante that as a possible

 

[Opera House]

If the voltages and gauges don't change, I doubt if it is a ground problem. I'd get that code read. Checked through the code list and only one thing poped out. A few have complained that their alternator light came on when the AC or defrost was turned on. That problem was a slipping belt slowed by the compressor. I see that 93 and 94 have a code for a pressure switch on the power steering pump. A high load on the alternator might slow down the belt on the power steering and pop a code. And maybe your 95 is a cary over vehicle design. That's the wildest thing I can come up with. Think you can just flash your check engine light with a simple jumper to get the code. Details are on www.batauto.com under tech