Electrical problem
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: scarborough maine
Electrical problem
When my car is running and i pull the lights, all of my guages go down and fail and i get almost no power in the car. Any suggestions to what is causing this? thanks,
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I would suspect the battery is not holding much of a charge anymore and the alternator is providing all the electrical supply without the help of the battery. Then, then the lights go on, the draw is more than the old alt can handle while powering the car, so you see effects of a lowered voltage.
Have your battery load tested at a local parts store.
Replace if needed.
Have your alt checked for output.
Replace with stock if needed, or even upgrade to a higher output alt. Here is an option I suggest to people upgrading their charging system.
http://photos.imageevent.com/durango...%20Install.pdf
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: scarborough maine
well i got my alternator and battery checked and they are both fine, but i have a few more symptoms that may help. I neglected to tell you that when the car is running and i pull the light control all the way out and the headlighs and tailights come on, the guages are not effected. It is only when i pull the light control half way out for the instrument lights that my guages go way down. probably wiring somewhere, maybe a ground but i dont know where.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
So when you try to turn on opnly the running lights (first notch) the gauges and lights go away?
you have a problem in the light switch itself or maybe a ground. The dash equipment ground is behind the drivers side dash on the door pilar, black wire.
Headlights coming up is a vacuume only issue, you could (most likely) have a leak somewhere. Check the vac hoses on all the headlight components and check the vac canister for leaks.
Your original question seems to be a flakey headlight switch, pull it and check it over real well.
you have a problem in the light switch itself or maybe a ground. The dash equipment ground is behind the drivers side dash on the door pilar, black wire.
Headlights coming up is a vacuume only issue, you could (most likely) have a leak somewhere. Check the vac hoses on all the headlight components and check the vac canister for leaks.
Your original question seems to be a flakey headlight switch, pull it and check it over real well.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 366
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Sounds like a short circuit somewhere to me. If all exterior and interior lights work as they should with the switch in both positions, I would start at the switch itself. If some of the other lights do not operate as expected (parking lights) the short may be there.
I'd suggest you get a meter and wiring diagram to help to track the problem down. Meters are pretty cheap at lowes/home depot.
I'd suggest you get a meter and wiring diagram to help to track the problem down. Meters are pretty cheap at lowes/home depot.
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