RE: electrical issue
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 570
Likes: 1
From: Huntsville AL
RE: electrical issue
Just got back from around 125 mile round trip to Denver International to drop off my sister. On the way up there, I noticed the lights on my dash pulsing a bit, not exactly flickering. Then noticed after I dropped her off at the airport that when I hit the brake, the radio would cut out. Then the digital readout on the climate control started flickering. Almost back home, the car died for a moment at a light, but then restarted after being off for only around two seconds. All the while, volts were reading between 13 and 14, but they seemed to be jumping a bit more than usual in the range. The alternator is about a year and a half to two years old, as is the battery. Does this sound like a faulty alternator to you?
I don't have much time to look at it today since I have to fly out at my local airport in a couple of hours, but at least the vette is safely in the garage right now.
Thanks
I don't have much time to look at it today since I have to fly out at my local airport in a couple of hours, but at least the vette is safely in the garage right now.
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
You have symptoms of two common problems. First, bad cable connections to the battery! Remove the battery cables (neg first) and clean the cable lugs, bolts, and battery terminals and re-connect the cables (neg last). Looking clean on the outside doesn't count!!!!!!!!!!!!
Next, if you see flickering, engine running, unplug your alternator and see if the flickering stops. If it does, you have a voltage regulator in the alternator that is oscillating. Replace the voltage regulator, or let an auto electrical shop do it, or replace the alternator.
Next, if you see flickering, engine running, unplug your alternator and see if the flickering stops. If it does, you have a voltage regulator in the alternator that is oscillating. Replace the voltage regulator, or let an auto electrical shop do it, or replace the alternator.
