is my electrical system going?
is my electrical system going? battery was replaced w/ a stock replacement about 10k ago. bolt on car, stock monsoon, stock alt, DD.
when i pull up to a stoplight with my turn signal on my volt meter ticks a little back and forth, not really noticable so i didnt think anything of it. when i run my defroster with the car idling, all of the lights dim, the motor drops and octave and the volt meter drops to lower than 13 and drops slowly. if my AC is on at a stoplight (after about 10 seconds) the volt meter begins to drop quickly down to the yellow mark. the voltage returns to normal as soon as the rpms come up. other than the above mentioned foul-ups, everything works fine. no trouble at WOT either.
are our charging systems really that weak or is my voltage regulator/alternator giving out???
when i pull up to a stoplight with my turn signal on my volt meter ticks a little back and forth, not really noticable so i didnt think anything of it. when i run my defroster with the car idling, all of the lights dim, the motor drops and octave and the volt meter drops to lower than 13 and drops slowly. if my AC is on at a stoplight (after about 10 seconds) the volt meter begins to drop quickly down to the yellow mark. the voltage returns to normal as soon as the rpms come up. other than the above mentioned foul-ups, everything works fine. no trouble at WOT either.
are our charging systems really that weak or is my voltage regulator/alternator giving out???
Last edited by SS101; Apr 4, 2008 at 08:01 PM.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 3
From: Champaign/Chicagoland
What accessories, stereos, etc. ave you installed?
Did this start soon after an install?
No - our charging systems are not that weak - I think you know the answer..yes, there is a problem. Likely the alternator, since the problem goes away as RPMs increase.
IMO, best off heading to Autozone w/ your alternator for a free test.
Did this start soon after an install?
No - our charging systems are not that weak - I think you know the answer..yes, there is a problem. Likely the alternator, since the problem goes away as RPMs increase.
IMO, best off heading to Autozone w/ your alternator for a free test.
Last edited by fredmr39; Apr 4, 2008 at 10:32 PM.
Launching!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 207
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I actually have the same problem going on with my '94 Z28.. I JUST replaced the alternator (Today..) and when stopped, with NOTHING going, the volts are in the red at probably 11/10.. The battery was tested and was fine. I'm thinking the wires might be needing replacement.
i HATE electrical problems...its worse than trying to diagnose an automatic transmission!!! 
with all my electronics (gauges, oil pump, radar detector, etc) plus my stereo w/ 2 12" subs, ALL my lights flicker at night while i drive. i am guessing that my stock alternator is pretty much maxed out.....
