Odd electrical issue?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 106
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Odd electrical issue? I've noticed that when I'm sitting at a red light with my A/C going I get drops in voltage and everything sounds like it is slowing down. It happens a little when driving but is not as noticable. The volts drop down to near 12 and then it picks back up and goes up to about 13. Also my volt meter doesn't seem to stay in one place for long. I see it at 13, 12.8, 14, and places in between... should I have my alternator tested?
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 717
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From: Georgetown, DE
Maybe. Of course, it might be that your idle is set lower than the Alt needs. The A/C compressor does add to the mechanical load of the engine, so at idle, engine RPM is often slightly lower than it is with A/C off.
My 98 Does that also but it's definetly something drawing load that's all
edit: maybe the AIR pump but my voltmeter doesnt bounce around but will dip once and a while while stopped with the A/C on
edit: maybe the AIR pump but my voltmeter doesnt bounce around but will dip once and a while while stopped with the A/C on
mine does that also sometimes and i know its not AIR cause thats in the trash. mine only does it every now and then, and usually its because my idle drops really low. im also runnin a 600w amp so that also draws a good bit. i raised my idle and it helped a good bit but not completely. the computer does have special idle and load tables for when A/C is on, so that should not affect it too much. i watch my voltage from my radar detector(escort 8500) and it usually is around 14.4 at startup and usually stays around 13.7 most of the time, but drops to around 12.8 on some stops
