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OK, my HO alternator (from the GB) is installed now. When the car is first started, a voltmeter jumps around. When the car slows down to an idle, it registers around 14 volts. Is the erratic jumping when starting and until idle normal? Other than that, it seems to be fine.
PS. The voltmeter was at the shop, I don't have one in the car so I can't actually watch what it does while I'm driving. And one of the reasons I got it was for my headlights dimming at idle--they still do.
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Originally posted by wa2tuff:
one of the reasons I got it was for my headlights dimming at idle--they still do.
probably cause that your alternator wasnt the problem
edit: do you have a cap? if not, that should solve the headlight problem. if you already do, then i am unsure as to why you have this problem.
Last edited by KingpinSVT; 03/09/05 12:31 AM.
#4559 of 6535 born on Feb 17, 1998
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Originally posted by KingpinSVT:
Originally posted by wa2tuff:
one of the reasons I got it was for my headlights dimming at idle--they still do.
probably cause that your alternator wasnt the problem
edit: do you have a cap? if not, that should solve the headlight problem. if you already do, then i am unsure as to why you have this problem.
No, I don't have a cap. I have one 260 watt amp running 2 subwoofers and a 320 watt amp running the 4 door speakers. I have the dimming lights whether the stereo is on or not. One thing though, I do have an underdrive pulley. Do you think that it is the culprit?
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yeah i think thats it. your pully would lower output. i would give knuconceptz a ring, and get a cap. that should help solve your problem. a cap stores energy, so when a large draw comes from your amp, it pulls from that instead of the whole electrical system.
if someone would back me up on this, i would appreciate it. or tell me im a dumba**. either way.
#4559 of 6535 born on Feb 17, 1998
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Originally posted by wa2tuff:
PS. The voltmeter was at the shop, I don't have one in the car so I can't actually watch what it does while I'm driving. And one of the reasons I got it was for my headlights dimming at idle--they still do.
Do they only dim when the bass hits? If so, get a cap. If not, that's pretty normal on a lot of cars. The UDP will cause that to be worse. If it's bad, start checking wiring and measuring voltages. If it's not too bad, forget it- why do you need bright lights at idle?
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Originally posted by wa2tuff:
I have the dimming lights whether the stereo is on or not. One thing though, I do have an underdrive pulley. Do you think that it is the culprit?
That answers your first question right there 95Sleeper, as to the underdrive pully, that is probably the reason. As soon as we put a UD pully on my friends Probe GT, the lights would dim only at idle and it never did before. Adding a cap would help min. the dimming. I put in a 1 fared cap because my headlights were dimming when my 600 Watt amp hit. It was happening even at 70 MPH. I don't even notice it any more.
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Originally posted by 98_HO_Contour:
Originally posted by wa2tuff:
I have the dimming lights whether the stereo is on or not. One thing though, I do have an underdrive pulley. Do you think that it is the culprit?
That answers your first question right there 95Sleeper, as to the underdrive pully, that is probably the reason. As soon as we put a UD pully on my friends Probe GT, the lights would dim only at idle and it never did before. Adding a cap would help min. the dimming. I put in a 1 fared cap because my headlights were dimming when my 600 Watt amp hit. It was happening even at 70 MPH. I don't even notice it any more.
oh, yeah i missed that
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Originally posted by 95Sleeper:
If it's not too bad, forget it- why do you need bright lights at idle?
It's not that I need brights at idle, it's just that I don't think it's normal. In the past, I would have thought dimming lights at idle would indicate either a dying battery or alternator. Now clearer information:
1. At idle, about 750 rpm, lights dim. They get brighter when I rev the engine.
2. The radio has no effect so I'd say a cap wouldn't help.
3. At around 1500 rpm, the headlights seem to flicker very slightly. It's not blatant but it's there. It's very noticable in the interior dome light--maybe cause I'm looking right at it from a few inches away.
4. Over 1500 rpm, everything is normal. Battery was tested normal.
I suppose all this is something I can live with but I'm concerned because according to the guys running the GB, the HO alternator would take care of the dimming headlights. I'm starting to get "upset".
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An under drive alternator pulley will definitely cause the issues you are describing. Especially considering the low 720rpm factory idle.
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