2000 C2 Cab 6 Speed dash lit up like a Christmas tree

[TimEuler_73214]

Today I was driving my 996. All of a sudden 6 or 7 dash lights lit up...CEL, ABS, Battery, yellow triangle, PSM (Turned off) Break wear and possibly one more. The car ran perfectly well. No noticeable issues at all driving. Now I did notice my battery gauge which always runs at a constant 14 dropped to 11 and has stayed there. The lights all went away after 3 minutes and have all remained off. However the battery which is 3 months old has stayed near 11. I immediately turned around and drove the 6 miles back home.

I do think by the time I made it home the battery level has dropped even more like I am running off of battery with no recharge. I also feel I noticed the car which always runs near 185 degree is now around 190 or so. May be coincidental because it is 60 degrees today.

I replaced 2 months ago the belt, battery, plugs, oil etc..

Could this be my alternator has gone or generator? If it indeed went wouldn't I have a CEL on all the time?

Could it be a bad battery? It is literally 2 months old from Auto Zone?

Now the last piece. I have noticed what I perceived as pulley noise from the accessories loop. Nothing serious so I thought. I assumed it was drive pulleys or tensioner and have them on order. Seems like it may be another pulley..

Thank you for taking the time to help out. FYI..I dont have a way of looking at the codes. However there are no lights on now at all.

[TimEuler_73214]

update: The other lights were the traction light, ABS light

[Detoxx]

I've experienced the same issue years ago in a 300zx. From what I remember it was the alternator.

[logray]

Electrical issues can be difficult to track down.

There are multiple things that could be in play. I would say the following are the most common. Sometimes you can bypass cables using a good set of jumper cables to isolate issues.

Something was incorrectly installed.

Corroded wiring. Ground strap from engine to chassis, or positive lead from alternator to starter to jump point in engine bay

Alternator and/or alternator regulator

Battery (perhaps the one you bought was not charged completely or defective, and/or your charging system is inadequate)

Ignition switch

[whall]

I caught an electrical problem before it got to the point of causing the illumination of any warning lights, I.e., alternator voltage less than 12 volts. I had the alternator trouble shot and was told it had failed. But the technician suggested that I have the voltage regulator checked before replacing the alternator. Fortunately, it did turn out to be the voltage regulator which I had replaced for $80.

It seems that some alternator failures can be caused by a voltage regulator that fails to regulate as it gets hotter. The voltage got lower as the alternator/voltage regulator warmed up.

Bill