voltage problem with car
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TECH Junkie
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From: Fort Myers, FL.
voltage problem with car Like the title says I have a voltage problem with my car. when I start it up it goes to 16 volts, and the car runs like ****. after about 10 min it settles down to normal and the car runs fine. I have checkes all spark plugs and wires, and cleaned my maf. I have no idea. anyone with ideas.
Have you checked your alternator?? they have internal voltage regulators and it may be going out which lets it jump up to 16volts...That's pretty much the only thing that I can think of off the top of my head that will do that...I would get a volt meter and check the output of the alternator before it happens and then check it after it goes down...It's a definite electrical problem....What I mean by that is it probably isn't in your ignition system ie plugs, wires, coils...
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
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From: Fort Myers, FL.
ya I kind of narrowd it down to that. I had a radar detector gard wired in and it went out, so I was thinking that it was something with a bad ground. I just took out all of the wires and the car is still doing it. I went to one place and the alt. checker was not working so I think that I am gonna have to look around for another place. any good places for getting a alternator, I also have a single sub in the car but not running it very hard.
Well I used to have $7000 car audio with an extra battery and capacitor and it still only was only at maybe 14 volts....If you have an Autozone around they should check that for free...I believe they can probably help with purchasing one or knowing a place to get one...Usually at places like that you'll have one gear head that knows local shops...Also if you buy one from a place like Autozone or Pep Boys they usually have a pretty good warranty...Let me know if you need anymore help...good luck man
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
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From: Fort Myers, FL.
Ya this is just my luck, I just moved to florida 3 weeks ago from Indiana, and don't know too many people or places. I don't even know ewhere a autozone is around here. this sucks, at least its warm here. have to look on the bright side
Yeah you have to look at the bright side..Hell I just wish I could wrench on my car right now..I'm in Iraq, stationed in California and my car is in Oklahoma...I'll be home in April so I should have the shortblock, turbo, trans and rearend done...good luck with your problem though
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TECH Junkie
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From: Fort Myers, FL.
I don't even have any tools to wrench on my car with, they are still up in indiana for another month.
98turbls1- your car sounds like its gonna haul ***** when done, oh and if no one else has said it thanks for serving our country. stay safe
98turbls1- your car sounds like its gonna haul ***** when done, oh and if no one else has said it thanks for serving our country. stay safe
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Thank you...It goes unsaid many times but that's not what it's about you know but thank you for your gratitude...Yes, I hope it hauls *****...I've always been a car nut since I was like 9 years old..I'm shooting for 9's though....I think I should get there with my set up....I think if you do find an autozone they should loan tools out...
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Verdad Gallardo Hmmm...If the belt is tight it might pull it faster than say a worn belt...and then maybe it's loosening up after it gets warm...that could explain it but I don't think that it would really make that much of a difference....When did you say that it started again?? Was it after a mod or did something that you can remember happen?? Dude I wish I could just check the car out...It would be soo much easier you know...This is racking my brain...
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
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From: Fort Myers, FL.
it started to happen after I got down to florida, about 2 weeks ago. its racking your brains, its driving me crazy as i have to drive it. before it settles down I feel like a civic with a fat can. it sounds loud as hell but doesn't move to well. I am ordering a new alternator, and seeing if that can fix the problem, maybe the regulator is going out, and I am going to switch batteries with someone to see if there is something wrong there.
ya think that it could be with the tune that could cause this, I wouldn't think so, but these cars are touchy when it comes to the electrical system?
ya think that it could be with the tune that could cause this, I wouldn't think so, but these cars are touchy when it comes to the electrical system?
What kind of tune is it?? do you have a AFR gauge??? A wideband would probably be better to see if you're running off of normal...hmm...let me think about this for a sec...Very interesting...I'll try to come up with something...
I just honestly can't see the tune making the volts jumping up to that much....I just see it pretty much only being an electrical system problem...Do you have an adjustable tensioner for your belt?? It could be too tight...I just wonder why it would do it when it's cold but once it warms up it will go back to normal...Wait a tic....Okay, you're at lower altitude right?? So you're getting more air?? Your running like a civic might be due to the pcm retarded the ignition due to more air coming in....It may take a little while for the computer to learn the curve and then it reintroduces the timing....But the question still remains...Why only when you get to florida?? And why only when the car first starts??? The answers to these questions I believe will fix your problem...
Well high voltage usually means a bad ground and low voltage means poor connections.Also you need to check if you alt is putting out AC current if you have a bad diode in your alt AC current will do some wacky ****,you shouldnt have anymore than .3 volts of AC current.AC current will trip ses light and make gauges do wierd stuff.I just took a automotive electronics an drivability class and you would be amazed there are rebuilt alts on the shelf being sold that way
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
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From: Fort Myers, FL.
but why would my volts go back to normal if it is a bad ground, wouldn't they stay high all the time. I have lookd at all of the gounds and they are fine. I will go check my ac current.
