Strange electrical issue.

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 26, 2003 | 12:33 PM

Slack

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 760

Likes: 0

From: Spring Hill FL

Strange electrical issue.

I'm having a strange electrical issue that I am hoping some of you electronics gurus can help me with.

Symptoms:

Headlights seem to dim while putting on the brakes and brightness returns to normal, almost like a flicker. It also does this while just driving down the road, probably the A/C compressor coming on or something like that. I also notice my dash, and radio gauges seem to flicker a lot.

Solutions:

?? My best guess is that it may be the alternator going bad or a possible bad ground somewhere. Anyone have any suggestions on how to troubleshoot this problem?

Thanks!

Nov 26, 2003 | 03:40 PM

99C5Vert

Team Owner

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 24,333

Likes: 1

From: VA

St. Jude Donor '03-'11

Re: Strange electrical issue. (jeromet)

I think this is normal... do a search in the archives and you'll find many owners with momentary dimming when putting on brakes, putting windows down, A/C cut-on, etc...

Nov 26, 2003 | 04:23 PM

C5_Tom

Racer

Joined: Jun 1999

Posts: 406

Likes: 90

From: Chandler Arizona

Re: Strange electrical issue. (jeromet)

1st thing to do is make sure the battery terminal connections are clean and tight. I had a lot of voltage fluctuations last year and even a voltage message on the DIC. Cleaned and tightened the terminals, no problem since. This was on a Optima Redtop. Seems like I have to tighten them every six months.

Tom

Nov 26, 2003 | 06:59 PM

carpe dm

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 8,205

Likes: 40

From: Tucson AZ

Re: Strange electrical issue. (C5_Tom)

Quote:

1st thing to do is make sure the battery terminal connections are clean and tight. Tom

It may be your alternator, but I bet it your battery. Some of this is normal, but if you drive short distances or seldom take the car out, I would get a Battery Tender. :)

Nov 26, 2003 | 11:08 PM

Slack

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 760

Likes: 0

From: Spring Hill FL

Re: Strange electrical issue. (carpe dm)

Quote:

1st thing to do is make sure the battery terminal connections are clean and tight. Tom It may be your alternator, but I bet it your battery. Some of this is normal, but if you drive short distances or seldom take the car out, I would get a Battery Tender. :)

That was my first thought, but it is a relatively new Optima Red Top. I will check it with a voltmeter after it sits for a while and see how it checks out.

Nov 27, 2003 | 03:07 PM

hotrod_john

Heel & Toe

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 21

Likes: 0

From: San Antonio TX

Re: Strange electrical issue. (jeromet)

I had the same problem with my 2000. I took it to the dealer but didn't hold out much hope of them finding anything because it was so random. It turns out the original battery was starting to do it's thing (leaking, etc). They replaced the battery and cleaned up the leak and I haven't had the problem since. I would replace the battery with one of the Optima's if I were you.

Nov 27, 2003 | 08:48 PM

Bill Curlee

Tech Contributor

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 32,910

Likes: 2,402

From: Anthony TX

CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet

St. Jude Donor '08

Re: Strange electrical issue. (jeromet)

jeromet

If you think you have an issue with your battery or altenator, you can take your car to a good startor/ alrenator repair shop and they can do a system test on the battery and alternator to make sure that they are both working correctly.