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The never ending questions....

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Old Apr 16, 2002 | 10:02 AM
  #1  
Corvettelvr73's Avatar
Corvettelvr73
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From: Monroe North Carolina
Default The never ending questions....

I just got an air conditioning unit and a new stereo put in my vette this past week. When I turn my bright lights
on while cruising the stereo shuts off for a second and then comes back on. What could be the problem? I got
the battery and alternator checked and they say they are good. Also for some unknown reason this morning the
idle dropped down to 550 and the stereo started to cut off again. Could it be the alternator is not pulling
enough amps? Also it is slow to turn over when the engine is shut down and cranked back up before cooling.
Could this be the starter is getting too hot? Should I insulate it? Any comments please. It is a never ending
battle to keep em' running but they sure are fun.
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Old Apr 16, 2002 | 10:12 AM
  #2  
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theandies
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From: Virginia USA
Default Re: The never ending questions.... (Corvettelvr73)

What is your amp meter doing? Watch that as you turn on your headlights and also while swithing from dims to brights. That will help dianose the problem
John
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Old Apr 16, 2002 | 10:23 AM
  #3  
Corvettelvr73's Avatar
Corvettelvr73
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Racer
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From: Monroe North Carolina
Default Re: The never ending questions.... (Corvettelvr73)

The amp meter shoots almost all the way to 40 when just cranked then it slowly falls down to 0 after a few seconds. It stays
dead on zero when the lights are on the radio, bright lights, whatever.
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Old Apr 16, 2002 | 11:25 AM
  #4  
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woodworkr
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From: Cave Creek AZ
Default Re: The never ending questions.... (Corvettelvr73)

Just a thought here about the radio cutting out when you hit the high beams. The installer had to pick up 2 power sources (depending on the unit you have) One for the radio and a constant hot for the memory. There could be one other if you have an automatic antenna. The installer may have tied in to the hot side of you high beam switch for the hot into the radio. When you hit the high beam switch you are interupting the power to the radio shutting it down for a second.
Just my .02 on that one,
JoeB
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Old Apr 16, 2002 | 12:06 PM
  #5  
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From: Virginia USA
Default Re: The never ending questions.... (Corvettelvr73)

The amp meter shoots almost all the way to 40 when just cranked then it slowly falls down to 0 after a few seconds. It stays
dead on zero when the lights are on the radio, bright lights, whatever.
Looks Normal, amp meter pegs while cranking because the starter draws so much current. It seem like your charging system is working fine since you say that the battery slowly recharges after cranking. I am with woodworkr on this on. See how the radio power is hooked up. I know on my 71 the fuse panel has some spade lugs in the middle of it...that is how I connected my stereo. One of these terminals is marked BATT and that is where I connected to (Just got to remember to turn it off). Also check the amp rating on your alternator. You can put a digital amp meter in line with it (if you don't know how to connect a meter to read amps get with a friend that know electronics) to get an accurate current draw to see if maybe your accessories are drawing too much current. Also check all your grounds in the charging and starting circuits. These cars are notorious for doing weird things when there is something as simple and a slightly corroded ground terminal
Good luck
John



[Modified by theandies, 10:09 AM 4/16/2002]
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