Hey everyone. It would seem that I'm have some electrical problems. When I'm cruising along and I have to come to a stop my lights inside and out go dim. I've had to replace my right headlight twice this week because the low beam burns out. Of corse it sounds like a short somewhere but I was wondering if you people may have an idea of where I should look. Anyone else have this happen to them.........Thanks for the help

 

Have some place like checkers or autozone do a charging system diag on your car. Its free, and may be able to tell you where the problem is.

Jarrett

 

If you have an NA, what's your voltage reading? It should be around 14volts, try applying the brakes/turning the radio on and see what it does, if it drops or goes below 12, then theres a good chance it's your alternator, either the belts slipping, or it's going bad.

 

my 87 base did the same thing for a few days (2 i think) before my alt died. I got it checked at napa and it was only puting out 9volts.

 

Probably bad grounds / alt wiring or your alt is going out. Only as much electricity can leave the battery as can go back in. Like they said its a free test at autozone or similar.

 

is it idling low? Mine idles too low with the headlights and brakes on (my BAC sucks), so I set my idle up with the screw and it's fine now.

 

I've upgraded to a FD Alternator, double pulley, new belts Interstate 800cc Battery, added 20 ft of grounds, added a 4 gauge wire to Alt from Bat, gold plated Bat terminals and still get a slight dimming when Braking at Idle.

Anyone, on why I'm still getting this?

At Idle, I get 16v btw.

 

INteresting. I've expereinced this problem since I purchased the car. I went through numerous alternators, I have an Optima battery but the lights most definately dim and after several years I have yet to locate the problem.

 

maby its just bad grounds/wiring all together then

 

My alternator is brand new but I could check the belts and wiring. My voltage is right up there and I idle at about 800 (should it be more...) I didnt notice that my battery leaks water sometimes. I know the 7's tend to need stronger batterys then most cars.

 

My theory, on the FD alternator, is that when you convert to either a dual alt pully, etc... You are putting a larger pully on the end of the alternator. Larger pulley = slower rpms. So with the FD alternator, when you are around idle area, the Alt is spinning slower then normal. Causing a slight drop in voltage.

Jarrett

 

Good Point J. However, the Double Pulley I had Installed was matched In size to the original one.

 

Oh, I'm seeing your point right now.

Again, I was having this problem right before the FD Alternator swap. Right up to that point I had everything as listed. The FD Alt was the finale.

 

alternator. no doubt. it did the same on my dsm before it crapped out.

 

Yeah, its the outside diameter. Probably nothing, like I said, just a theory.

Jarrett

 

The FD Alternator I had was tested before Installed. It cranked out 130 ampheres! Thats probably due to It being new. I was like whoo baby!

 

Ronin88: How dim are we talking. And did you remember to not touch the glass bulb with you skin before you put it in the car?

 

Its not the glass bulb itself I just bought a whole new assembly and put that in. The lights dim noticably but but nothing serious to the point were they are useless. The alternator was just replaced so maybe they didnt tighten the belt enough or a wire is loose somewhere. Thanks for the help people.

 

Ok heres the solution. Take a length of wire (any diameter will work but bigger=better) and go from your negative battery terminal to a bolt on the chassis somewhere. I used the bolts that hold the top of the fender on. I have a system and the lights used to dim with the bass and all the lights would go out when i applied the brakes. This totally fixed the problem. Hope it works for ya!


Mike