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Re: Volt drop occasionally, need help! Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Tue, 28 May 2002 17:22:13
In Reply to: Volt drop occasionally, need help!, Pat 98CSE, Tue, 28 May 2002 16:19:35 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
That's not a battery issue, but an alternator issue. The battery is there for starting only. The alternator's job is to supply power to run the car once the engine has started, and to recharge the battery after it has started the car.
The voltage will drop when there is a bigger load on the electrical system. A few questions - does this drop happen while driving, or only at idle? The alternator has to work much harder to produce current when it's turning slowly (idle). If it's happening only at idle, it's a concern, but less of one. If it's happening when you're going down the road with 2000 or 3000 rpm on the tach, that's a problem.
If it's only happening at idle, try this trick - turn the ACC to ECON. This will disable the air conditioner. The air conditioner cycles on and off, and I'm wondering if that cycling is at the same time as the voltage drop. Not only does the load of the AC slow the engine down, but it takes electrical current to pull in the AC clutch AND drive the radiator fan that comes on whenever the AC turns on. If the problem goes away when you go to ECON, look in through the FRONT of the grill. You'll see a small fan. This isn't the same as the big fan on the back of the radiator. This small fan comes on when the AC cycles on - Turn the ACC back to normal (ECON off), and make sure that small fan runs when the AC clutch pulls in. If that fan is jammed or otherwise bad, it may be pulling a lot more current than normal.
The other things to do are to clean the battery contacts. This means removing the clamp from the battery, and cleaning the post and the inside of the cable clamp, where it meets the post. Use some fine sandpaper or Scotchbrite. You want a nice, clean, contact.
If the problem continues, OR the problem occurs when you are driving at speed, it's probably an alternator issue. It could be the voltage regulator, which is built into the alternator, or the alternator itself. Replacing the voltage regualtor isn't that hard or expensive (the part is about $40). A good automotive electrical shop can do a load test on the alternator in the car. If your mechanic is stumped, bring it to an electrical expert. Automotive electrical shops advertise in the Yellow Pages.
Good luck!
posted by 140.157.4...
, Tue, 28 May 2002 17:22:13 <-- Viewing This Message
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