Battery Gauge Drops When Stopped
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 339
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Battery Gauge Drops When Stopped
I"ve Posted About This Problem I Have Had Before. When My Headlights And Heater Are On And I Come To A Stop My Gauge Drops To Less Than The Middle Of The Normal Range.and You Can Here The Heater Blower Slow Down And Head Lights Dim.when I Start Moving Again It Jumps Back Up. I Thought It Was My Alt. So I Put That On. Same Problem. Checked Battery Cables.seem Ok. Did Find Corroded Break Light Socket And Bulb, Fixed That But Still Have Problem. Got A New Battery Because Not Sure How Old Other One Was. Same Problem. I Never Owned Vehicle That Did This Unless Alt. Was Going Bad. Even Took Off New Alt. And Had It Tested.they Said It Was Ok. And Checked Voltage On Car While Running And Gauge Was Down AND THEY SAID IT WAS OK. Really Stumped??
Last edited by RA81222; Apr 15, 2004 at 12:55 PM. Reason: SPELLING
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The stock alternators are crap, convert it to a 130 amp or higher. Check out this site for some good info http://ylobronc.users.superford.org/alt1.html
Last edited by christop43; Apr 15, 2004 at 01:27 PM.
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From: NJ ... the garbage state
Mine did that too, a high output alternator probably wont solve the problem because they put out less amps at idles usually. I would usually put my trans into neutral or park whenever stopped, bringing the rpm up enought that it brightens back up. Basically, years of corrosion have taken their toll, and you have a high draw, with all that stuff on. i dont think you have a major problem to worry about. headlights are a lot of draw, same with with the blower motor. unless they start to get really dim, i woudlnt worry about it.
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From: Independence, MO
Originally Posted by peteyg
Also, go through and check all your grounding straps. They like to rust out, and then when everything is on there's too much current draw through whatever is left.
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something you'll just have to check out, put a volt metter inline some where and watch turning off on differnt acc. DW
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: North Carolina
mine does it when there's nothing running, accessory-wise. i've heard that the high-output alternators will fix it, but only if they actually put out more than the stock units at idle. also, i've run through the electrical system with a meter to check related conditions, and most everything is in good shape. i'm probably going to swap to the 130 amp alternator, and even have that one re-wound at a shop nearby, so that hopefully, i'll have plenty of juice even at idle.
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Joined: Jan 2000
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From: NJ
I replaced my stock alt with a high amp(170) one and had the same problem. When I called the shop the guy told me I needed a smaller pulley. I have the smallest pulley now and it helped but I still have problems when everything is on, stereo(4 amps),Headlights,Blower and brake lights. Funny thing is I never had this problem with my stock 95 amp alt. It is still under warrenty and I've thought about sending it back. I want to put a winch on my truck and think it will become a big problem.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 102
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From: Fonda, Iowa
mine did that too but i decided to run a dual battery with dual high amp alternators. and for the stereo bit off it causing dimming lightys buy a capacitor and that cures alot. i run a 5 farad cap and i got 3 amps all of which are 1000.1 rockfords powering 3 12 power dvc subs and i can crank it all the way and no dimming lights or nothing. my gauge dont even bounce
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