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Registered
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Voltage dropping too low at idle
Lately I’ve been noticing if I have my AC on and idle at a stoplight, the car voltage drops to 11V, and my tach needle starts dancing. As soon as RPMs get above 1000 or so voltage climbs above 12 and it seems fine and charges fine at ~14V on highway. Does this mean my alternator is getting weak, or is this some other voltage regulation problem? This is a relatively new issue.
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Grappler
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Check condition/age of the battery, also is the pulley belt tight?
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Grappler Know Gi / No Gi 1976 RSR Backdate (Turbo 3.2) |
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John W
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 273
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It’s certainly a good sign that the charging voltage goes up to 14 where it should be. I suggest checking your grounds. I just replaced the transmission to chassis ground and it made a difference for me.
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: MYR S.C.
Posts: 17,321
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drive the car to some place like advance, they will test it for FREEEEEE and tell you what is wrong.
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86 930 94kmiles [_ ![]() 88 BMW 325is 200K+ SOLD 03 BMW 330CI 220K:: [_ ![]() 01 suburban 330K:: [_ ![]() RACE CAR:: sold |
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Registered
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Battery is pretty new. I notice if I turn the AC off, it can maintain adequate voltage even at idle. It’s just when I have AC on & idle where the problem appears.
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Registered
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Could be the VR, could be the alternator on the way out, could be the system is just overloaded at low rpm.
As T77911s says. Only one way to properly diagnose - with the right gear. Alan
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83 SC, 82 930 (track) - Stock except for RarlyL8 race headers, RarlyL8 Zork, K27-7006, 22/28 T bars, 007 Fuel head, short 3&4 gears, NGK AFR, Greddy EBC (on the slippery slope), Wevo engine mounts, ERP rear camber adjust and mono balls, Tarret front monoball camber adjust, Elgin cams, 38mm ported heads, 964 IC. 380rwhp @ 0.8bar Apart from above, bone stock:-) |
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