Notices

Lights dim & flicker

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10 February 2007, 06:08 PM
  #1  
P1 FEK
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
P1 FEK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Lights dim & flicker

Quite often when idling my lights dim & flicker esp when the stereo & heater etc are on. I've replaced the battery with a new Bosch Silver one and uprated the earth's but to no avail, is there anything else that can be done? Should I get the alternator checked to make sure it's operating correctly?
Old 10 February 2007, 06:11 PM
  #2  
dan83590
Scooby Regular
 
dan83590's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by P1 FEK
Should I get the alternator checked to make sure it's operating correctly?
Yep.. It should charge at no less than 12.5 - 13V. Stick a Multi meter on it and see.
Old 10 February 2007, 06:14 PM
  #3  
P1 FEK
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
P1 FEK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I get a good 14.5V on the gauge on the dash but sometime when I stop at a junction etc the voltage jumps about?

Last edited by P1 FEK; 10 February 2007 at 06:28 PM.
Old 11 February 2007, 09:17 AM
  #4  
dan83590
Scooby Regular
 
dan83590's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Double check it at the Alternator with a meter. Turn everything on and hold it at about 3000 RPM..
Old 11 February 2007, 02:12 PM
  #5  
P1 FEK
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
P1 FEK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Checked all the earths etc and they're good. Replaced the alternator to +ve on battery with a 4gauge and still the same problem. I can watch the voltmeter on the dash bounce between 14.5v and 12v as I turn the volume up. Surely this should not be happening with just one amp running a pair of components? Could it be the amp earth needs to be improved further? Suggestions please?
Old 11 February 2007, 07:23 PM
  #6  
dan83590
Scooby Regular
 
dan83590's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Cheak all the cables. There may be a short circuit or something incorrectly wired. Maybe try earthing to a different part of the chassis. Do all pos and neg go to the right places?
Old 12 February 2007, 10:35 AM
  #7  
P1 FEK
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
P1 FEK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

All checked, nothing seems to be amiss.
Old 12 February 2007, 05:31 PM
  #8  
dan83590
Scooby Regular
 
dan83590's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

If you are sure the fault is around the ICE then if it were me I'd rule parts out by disconnecting the wires to each component. Or check each wire end to end with the meter. You will need to know what voltage you are feeding in. eg. 12V at one end you should be getting the same at the other end, or very near to, any less then a short is present. It would have been my guess that something was incorrectly wired say a + from the back of the head unit to a - on a speaker for example. Could a speaker be earthing on the rear shelf? Faulty sheathing? Faulty component? Do you have sooo much ICE that the Alternator doesn't cope? Faulty Battery?

Other than that I'm all out of ideas. Sorry.

Last edited by dan83590; 12 February 2007 at 05:33 PM. Reason: Added some more text.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
KAS35RSTI
Subaru
27
04 November 2021 07:12 PM
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
28
28 December 2015 11:07 PM
toyney83
General Technical
10
02 October 2015 08:38 PM
Ganz1983
Subaru
5
02 October 2015 09:22 AM
Phil3822
General Technical
0
30 September 2015 06:29 PM



Quick Reply: Lights dim & flicker



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:12 PM.