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Not Enough Volts?

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Old Aug 24, 2009 | 10:07 PM
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Default Not Enough Volts?

For the past couple weeks, my car's voltage would drop into the 9-11 volt area, and I've been trying to figure out why it's doing that.

I replaced the Alternator with a remanufactured 102 amp, replaced my battery with an Optima Yellowtop, and swapped out the full +/- Battery Cables with better used ones (All connections are great, and grounds are tight and clean).

After all of this, on a cold startup, I get about 14-15 volts, which is awesome. Then I drive around for 10-15 minutes and the volts drop to about 12-13.

What do I have to do to maintain 14 volts all the time? At 11-13 volts my Dash lights are Dim and it makes my slow window motor even slower.

Thanks
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Old Aug 24, 2009 | 10:46 PM
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emmm, dose it throw any code
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Old Aug 25, 2009 | 11:29 PM
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I am in your same situation.... I was thinking in upgrading the main wiring from battery to alternator. Could the radiator fans be affecting it?
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Old Aug 25, 2009 | 11:52 PM
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I was thinking the same, My Fans turn on at 173 Degrees as a part of my tune...
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 10:11 AM
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are you using a multi meter to measure your voltage or just the voltage gauge in the cluster?
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 10:42 AM
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I'm using the gauge in my cluster, but would a smaller alternator pulley give me the power I'm looking for?
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 01:27 PM
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Did you test your alternator's amperage output?
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 01:42 PM
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Running the fans full time when warm, will bring down
the underhood temp. I've observed my voltage dropping
with warmup and it seemed to be better once I set my
fans up.

You ought to measure at the battery (across the posts)
and alternator stud to case, as well as some IGN fuse to
body sheet metal, and compare them - this may show
I*R drops in the power harness (such as crusty ground
connections etc.) if you see significant point-of-source,
point-of-storage, point-of-load differences.
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 09:47 PM
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I am pointing at the radiator fans, I also have tunning in my car and they are set to come on early to keep engine cool.....
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 10:29 PM
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^^^ fans kickin-in early will not couse that much voltage drop,
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 10:34 PM
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Any Input on a smaller Alternator Pulley?
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 10:35 PM
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But if they stay on running most of the time... I bet it will show as a drop in voltage.
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 10:36 PM
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Oh, Absolutely. As soon as you hear them turn on, the voltage drops a little.
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 10:38 PM
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i have me fans kickin at 170 - 180 without any problems, plus i like in kuwait where the temp gose up to 120*F
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 10:46 PM
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Damn!

Well, for the past couple days, the car has been averaging 13-14 volts all the time, which is awesome.

As for my Dim lights, Do they sell LED Bulb Kit's for our Dash?
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Old Aug 26, 2009 | 11:10 PM
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Originally Posted by MAYH3M
Damn!

Well, for the past couple days, the car has been averaging 13-14 volts all the time, which is awesome.

As for my Dim lights, Do they sell LED Bulb Kit's for our Dash?
there are plug and play bulbs, i bought some for my TA. and what kind of battery are you using btw?
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