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dankwun
08-10-2008, 06:01 PM
i am having a problem with my volts in my mm.. For some reason whenever i have my a/c on and stop and a light and the brake lights come on my radio will cut off due to my volts dropping down to ten volts. has anyone else encountered this problem before. I went out and got a yellow top battery and this didn't fix the problem it just gave me more volts at startup but as soon as i drive it the same as a stock battery.. if you have any ideas any help i can get is appreciated.
Spectragod
08-10-2008, 07:21 PM
If your voltage is dropping under load, the alternator is most likely the culprit.
magindat
08-10-2008, 07:22 PM
Time for a new alternator
dankwun
08-10-2008, 07:29 PM
i already changed the alternator to a high output 200 amp.. and its still doing the same thing.. im thinking that there is a wiring problem somewhere but dont know where to check..
magindat
08-10-2008, 07:31 PM
i already changed the alternator to a high output 200 amp.. and its still doing the same thing.. im thinking that there is a wiring problem somewhere but dont know where to check..

You have a charging problem. Start with the alternator output and go from there.
Spectragod
08-10-2008, 07:39 PM
i already changed the alternator to a high output 200 amp.. and its still doing the same thing.. im thinking that there is a wiring problem somewhere but dont know where to check..

You must have installed an alternator with bad diodes then.
dankwun
08-11-2008, 12:51 AM
it was doin it with the old alternator also.. i dont think its the new one.. do you think that the ground to the battery could be bad? is there a ground that gose the the alternator harness?
magindat
08-11-2008, 06:25 AM
it was doin it with the old alternator also.. i dont think its the new one.. do you think that the ground to the battery could be bad? is there a ground that gose the the alternator harness?

Ground is VITAL. You should have a ground from the battery to the body, battery to frame and battery to block (which gounds the alternator). Each of these should be at LEAST 4 gauge, even thought he factory only uses 6. Connections should be shiny clean, free of paint, dust or debris. if you have upgraded your alt, it will benefit NOTHING without these additional grounds. Electricity flows in a CIRCUIT. Just cuz you can put IN the volume of 0 guage, doesn't mean you can return it in the circuit UNLESS given an EQUAL or GREATER size path for return.

Did you install the upgraded 0 guage charging wire and fuse with the new alt? If not, I'm betting it's the fusible link from alt to bat.
Peace2Peep
08-11-2008, 09:50 AM
Dang, that was a good explanation my friend! That is exactly where to look! Factory ground points(like my car) car many times have paint in them! Be careful to clear a painted area to a bare metal area for your connecting spot
CRUZTAKER
08-11-2008, 02:40 PM
Do you have underdrive pullies?
dankwun
08-11-2008, 03:37 PM
Ground is VITAL. You should have a ground from the battery to the body, battery to frame and battery to block (which gounds the alternator). Each of these should be at LEAST 4 gauge, even thought he factory only uses 6. Connections should be shiny clean, free of paint, dust or debris. if you have upgraded your alt, it will benefit NOTHING without these additional grounds. Electricity flows in a CIRCUIT. Just cuz you can put IN the volume of 0 guage, doesn't mean you can return it in the circuit UNLESS given an EQUAL or GREATER size path for return.

Did you install the upgraded 0 guage charging wire and fuse with the new alt? If not, I'm betting it's the fusible link from alt to bat.

i installed 4 guage with a 250 amp fuse with the alternator. but i still have the stock ground wires with seem to be pretty small and the connections seem dirty. so ima go from there and see what happens.
dankwun
08-13-2008, 08:14 AM
can someone tell me where the battery should be grounded to the frame because i only have a ground going to the block and one going to the body.. or better yet can someone tel me the three factory ground locations.. thanks
Eric-Blk2004
08-13-2008, 08:48 AM
I would like to know this as well. I some a lot of the import cars have maps for good grounds etc etc. Ground wire kits are very popular there because of the colors....oh the colors!

I would get black 0 gauge for the rauder...

Oh and where did you get your new alt? I think I need one to..when I floor it the volts drop to like 11 well under 13...
magindat
08-13-2008, 09:29 AM
can someone tell me where the battery should be grounded to the frame because i only have a ground going to the block and one going to the body.. or better yet can someone tel me the three factory ground locations.. thanks

I don't know where stock, but find a hole, sand it and put a bolt thru it. Don't DRILL!!!
magindat
08-13-2008, 09:32 AM
i installed 4 guage with a 250 amp fuse with the alternator. but i still have the stock ground wires with seem to be pretty small and the connections seem dirty. so ima go from there and see what happens.

#4 is insufficient for 200 amps.

Quick reference:
http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm
RF Overlord
08-13-2008, 10:04 AM
Oh and where did you get your new alt? I think I need one to..when I floor it the volts drop to like 11 well under 13...You do know that the PCM disconnects the alternator at WOT, right?
magindat
08-13-2008, 12:02 PM
I bet he's popped a diode or 2 from shoving all that current thru #4 and stock grounds.


You do know that the PCM disconnects the alternator at WOT, right?
Eric-Blk2004
08-13-2008, 12:37 PM
I don't know where stock, but find a hole, sand it and put a bolt thru it. Don't DRILL!!!

How do you put a bolt threw without drilling? Is this magic :P
Eric-Blk2004
08-13-2008, 12:38 PM
You do know that the PCM disconnects the alternator at WOT, right?

Oh...me not smart....:o
magindat
08-13-2008, 12:44 PM
How do you put a bolt threw without drilling? Is this magic :P

Find an existing hole. Don't drill a new one.
Eric-Blk2004
08-13-2008, 01:14 PM
Hm...I think there is a joke that follows that.....
RF Overlord
08-13-2008, 01:39 PM
Oh...me not smart....:oDidn't mean to offend you...just making sure you knew that it's normal for the voltmeter to drop at WOT.
Eric-Blk2004
08-13-2008, 02:58 PM
Hehe I am NEVER offended :)

I remember reading that but I never knew it would have that much of a noticeable effect on the gauge - I didnt even know that gauge worked! :)
magindat
08-13-2008, 03:38 PM
Hehe I am NEVER offended :)

I remember reading that but I never knew it would have that much of a noticeable effect on the gauge - I didnt even know that gauge worked! :)

Then you don't go WOT enough. You can see the lights dim when you hit it on a dark road!
fordman
08-14-2008, 02:45 PM
Those look like some kind of aftermarket headlights and foglights. If so, how much power are those pulling? Just a thought.
Peace2Peep
08-14-2008, 05:27 PM
HID pulls half of stock lamps