Over the past couple days the odd time when driving I have knoticed my lights in my dash dim and my heater blower motor slow down for about 2-4seconds. I have watched this on my volt gauge, my power drops from about 14.5-15(normal) down to 13 or so for about 2-4 seconds. Then it picks up to normal. So I'm like WTF! When driving I have my lights on normal and usually the heater motor on highest setting to keep windows free from frost/snow. Also the lights in my volt gauge is on, Boost gauge light and my Air Fuel Gauge on.
I just got home from the store, maybe about a 10-15 minute round trip and it did it twice. I'm getting a little concerned here. I havent had any trouble like this before. I just replaced the battery with an optima red top a couple weeks ago b/c my 7-8 year old ac/delco crapped out in the -35 celcuis (-45 to -50 with wind chill).
Now another question is, if it died on me can I replace it without removing the supercharger on my 2.4L? I dont remember attaching anything the altenator. I remember attaching the pulley bracket I think to the air conditioner motor.
Any help would be appriciated.
Same this happened to me earlier this week..Go buy an alternator, and get it in the car before you get stuck somewhere.
Thank god I made it home.
Those are clear indocators that your alternator is failing and will eventually give up. Try removing it and have it tested for free at any local autozone or advanced autoparts. In any case, if you do experience voltage loss, and there is no apparent problem, try checking the alternator conections, the wire which feeds voltage to the battery, sometimes it can be loose. If you are running to much electrical accessories, then try the Big Tree mod.
Three gauges is all i'm running for seperate electrical items.
If you look in my picture link above for my S/C install pictures. I only see one wire that comes off the back of the alternator and it looks like it goes to the starter. Is that the wire your talking about?
Regards,
Yup. it technically should be running straight to the battery. Maybe if the starter is acting up or malfunctioning, then the feed of voltage to the battery could possibly be interupted. But from what I can gather from voltage drops, that it could possibly be your alternator, or tension on the belt is to weak.
I had a smaller pulley installed during the summer, and my voltage eratically jumped many times, soon I lost voltage. mind you, I had a system in the back. I replaced the smaller pulley with the OEM. It worked and never lost power since, try recharging the battery as well.
The battery is a optima red top. Brand new replaced it 2-3 weeks ago. I'm running the OEM pulley on the S/C. So there shouldnt be any issues as i'm aware.
Just a side note.Make sure ur ground wires are clean and use a multimeter to check the voltage at the alternator with the car running and not running .U should have at least 12.5 volts not running and above 13v running.Alternators can be fickle and the fluctuation can vary due to other issues.The voltages do vary so my numbers may vary .But a simple check can not hurt.
