For the last couple of weeks, I've been having a strange electrical issue. It consists of several things:

1) Hitting the brakes causes a voltage drop that kills the radio for about a half a second.

2) When driving with the lights on (and sometimes without) the engine cuts out on BAD on left turns. It will also SOMETIMES cut out in other circumstances. Acceleration from a stop (when the voltage has dropped after applying brakes) causes severe cut out. (by cut out I mean severe bucking, backfiring, kills the tach)

3) Alternator belt broke. Of course this caused the voltage to drop dramatically. However, lights on, turn signals, turning left, whatever, it ran smooth as can be. No problem whatsoever . New belt- back to the same old crap. Voltage levels otherwise are fine... 14v or so when driving.

I'm suspecting either a wiring issue, or perhaps a bad voltage regulator in the alternator. Thoughts? Dale? Ted?

Brad

 

p.s. this started shortly after replacing my transmission a few weeks ago. Could I have damaged something then?

Brad

 

Brad: You most likely did not hook up the ground wire from the top of the tranny/motor joint to the spade lug on the firewall. Most obvious clue is you replaced the transmission. This particuliar ground is MONDO-MEGA important.

 

Cool... thanks. Are you referring to the one that goes on the clutch slave cylinder? If so, I am certain that one IS connected. I will try to find what you are referring to also though. I may also try adding an extra ground wire there... hmmmm...

Brad

 

Look at the passenger side to the right of the windhield wiper motor.

 

Thanks once again.

Brad

 

hERE IS A PIC OF THE CONNECTOR: