Electrical issue - please help with debug.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
From: Portland/Hillsboro OR
Electrical issue - please help with debug.
All,
I had this issue one time about 7 months ago but it did not reappear until now and it seems persistent this time.
Car would start ok but it seems either the alternator is not producing enough power or maybe something is drawing a lot of current. These are the observations:
1. If I brake or roll my windows up or down, all the lights would dim out and stereo would quit working (speakers would make a thud noise) .
2. The battery voltage indicator jumps between 14.1 - 12.9 without doing anything (even at constant throttle). Ofcourse braking or rolling the windows down drops it around 10.
3. The climate control display has suddenly gone dim and its too hard to see anything these days (might be a different issue).
4. I recently removed the EBCM for repair, however, it has been faulty for a long time.
Has someone experienced something similar before. Could it just be the battery (I got a new batter 4 months ago but it has been drained dry twice after leaving the interior lights ON - TWICE
)
Thanks all.
I had this issue one time about 7 months ago but it did not reappear until now and it seems persistent this time.
Car would start ok but it seems either the alternator is not producing enough power or maybe something is drawing a lot of current. These are the observations:
1. If I brake or roll my windows up or down, all the lights would dim out and stereo would quit working (speakers would make a thud noise) .
2. The battery voltage indicator jumps between 14.1 - 12.9 without doing anything (even at constant throttle). Ofcourse braking or rolling the windows down drops it around 10.
3. The climate control display has suddenly gone dim and its too hard to see anything these days (might be a different issue).
4. I recently removed the EBCM for repair, however, it has been faulty for a long time.
Has someone experienced something similar before. Could it just be the battery (I got a new batter 4 months ago but it has been drained dry twice after leaving the interior lights ON - TWICE
)Thanks all.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,683
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
I am betting a battery dying on the vine.
First, how old is the battery? If it is more than 4 years old, it can die and die quickly.
In addition, you "should" be getting some codes. Check your DIC for codes and see if they are voltage related.
Good Luck and keep us posted
First, how old is the battery? If it is more than 4 years old, it can die and die quickly.
In addition, you "should" be getting some codes. Check your DIC for codes and see if they are voltage related.
Good Luck and keep us posted
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Check a few things: (you'll neeed a basic voltmeter from radioshack or an auto parts store)
a) check your battery connections to both terminals and the underhood fusebox. Loose connections make for crappy conductivity
b) check voltge across the battery leads with the engine off. If it's below 11v, you need a new battery
c) Check your voltage from the alternator power output to the alternator mounting bolt (ground) with the car running, Should be at least 13.5v, if it's not you need a new alternator
d) consider the "big-3" upgrade. This uses audio quality power 8-4awg power wire to upgrade your charging system to decrease resistance and extending the life of both battery and alternator.
a) check your battery connections to both terminals and the underhood fusebox. Loose connections make for crappy conductivity
b) check voltge across the battery leads with the engine off. If it's below 11v, you need a new battery
c) Check your voltage from the alternator power output to the alternator mounting bolt (ground) with the car running, Should be at least 13.5v, if it's not you need a new alternator
d) consider the "big-3" upgrade. This uses audio quality power 8-4awg power wire to upgrade your charging system to decrease resistance and extending the life of both battery and alternator.
