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Old Apr 5, 2008 | 04:16 AM
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Default Voltage question

I had an 02 for about 6 months. Since I`ve had it I noticed the headlights and radio dim when using the turn signal. Also dims when I hit the brakes. Sometimes when I sneeze or blink. I was watching the volts while driving today. was fluctuating everywhere between 12.8 and 14.2. Is this normal? What else could the problem be? Thanks again
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Old Apr 5, 2008 | 04:25 AM
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I know of an 03 Z06 with the same symptoms. His voltage constantly varied. sometimes it would even go to 15 volts and down to 10.5.It turned out to be the starter connection that comes from the battery. The red wire that attaches to the starter. The nut was loose, but when tightened it turned out that the post in the starter was burned and loose and the starter had to be replaced. This was after the dealer replaced the battery and the alternator with no fix. If you start to tighten the nut on the starter, disconnect the battery terminal first, it's tight in there around the exhaust and you can create a large arc if the wrench touches the nut and any metal at the same time. Take hold of the red wire and give it a tug while watching the nut on the starter post and tell me what happens.
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Old Apr 5, 2008 | 04:41 AM
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One other tip, don't wear a ring or watch while working on the battery or any electrical connections. I know of a person who almost lost a finger when the wrench he was using was touching his ring finger and shorted the battery.
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Old Apr 5, 2008 | 09:16 AM
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Originally Posted by PierEagle
One other tip, don't wear a ring or watch while working on the battery or any electrical connections. I know of a person who almost lost a finger when the wrench he was using was touching his ring finger and shorted the battery.
I did that in 68 removing the battery from my 65 "to be safe" while working on the wiring. The wrench melted a spot on my class ring that's still there. The burn ring around my finger has long since healed.
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Old Apr 5, 2008 | 12:19 PM
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Thanks, I`ll give that a try today if I get a minute
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Old Apr 5, 2008 | 12:42 PM
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Default Could be dirty connections or a bad weak battery

Originally Posted by Frankiexx
I had an 02 for about 6 months. Since I`ve had it I noticed the headlights and radio dim when using the turn signal. Also dims when I hit the brakes. Sometimes when I sneeze or blink. I was watching the volts while driving today. was fluctuating everywhere between 12.8 and 14.2. Is this normal? What else could the problem be? Thanks again
Hello, when you notice lights blinking excessively when using other lights, it is usually an indication that either your connections are dirty or loose, and or your battery is not fully charged or getting weak from age or lack of use. depending on the age of the battery and use pattern, if it is the oem in an 02, it is probably getting to it's end point. Voltage can fluctuate on the dic when in use, that is not abnormal, it is the charging voltage, not really the battery voltage. If you check the volts on your battery with an external volt meter they should be at least 13 or more with a good fully charged battery. This needs to be done with the car off and after letting it sit a 1/2 hour or so and putting your lights on and off to burn off the flash voltage before taking a reading. That can give some indication as to the health of the battery, better yet is a load test.
Good Luck

Last edited by bestvettever; Apr 5, 2008 at 12:49 PM.
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Old Apr 5, 2008 | 04:02 PM
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Battery is new. just over 6 months. Battery is a Bosch. Geuss the next step is to check the connections and grounds.
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Old Apr 5, 2008 | 06:18 PM
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Default Maybe

Originally Posted by Frankiexx
Battery is new. just over 6 months. Battery is a Bosch. Geuss the next step is to check the connections and grounds.
Hi, ok, sounds like it may not be the battery, but fyi even a new battery could get weak in 6 months, if you don't drive it often and don't use a maintainer, and if it's a water flooded type it may need to be topped up with water. .If you find all good, clean, tight connections, I would have the battery load tested.
Good Luck
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Old Apr 5, 2008 | 09:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Frankiexx
Battery is new. just over 6 months. Battery is a Bosch. Geuss the next step is to check the connections and grounds.
Especially check what GGvert points out in post #2 .... I'm betting you either have a problem in the POS cabling from the Alternator, to the starter, to the battery .... or a ground problem ... possibly the NEG battery cable even.

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