Power Issues

[secondchance]

Originally Posted by Demps

All great advice.

One other thought...Following the KISS principle: are the battery terminal bolts correctly threaded and tightened? I had one that was stripped and appeared tight but wasn't.

Ted

Great point! I had it happen to me twice.

[Hib Halverson]

If the idle speed is surging enough that the engine stalls, that could explain the charging output voltage changes. If the engine drops below the desired idle speed, the alternator cannot put out enough amperage and the voltage will drop from nominal charge voltage to battery voltage.

That said, if you are getting large fluctuations in charge output when the engine is idleing smoothly, then maybe there is a charge system problem.

When you say the dash would "go out" can you be more specific? Are you talking about the dash lights or the digital display in the center of the IP?

Before I'd spend money to start replacing charging components, I'd take a look at problems which would cause an unstable idle of which there are many.

The prime candidate is a vacuum leak although if the MAP hose if off, the MIL will be on.
Also possible are:
Faulty or fouled IAC
lazy O2 sensors
ECM ground(s) faulty
dirty throttle body
bad injector(s)
evap problems
...are just a few.

[Ereeves]

Hib,

Here is how it went down. Son stalled car in parking lot. Restarted everything fine. Got out on the road and came to red light. It died but could have been assisted by my son's lack of being familiar with it too. Restarted and continued on to next red light and noticed from the passenger seat that it felt rough. Asked him and he said it was. Turned onto another street and watched the dash go out (everything) and the DIC all light up. Told him to up the revs quickly which restored everything. Ran a little rough from there all the way home where she still sits.

Check the MAP hoses and it all checks out ok from the top and back of plenum. Started car and it runs and idles fine. I watched the volts and witnessed the variations noted. That is all I have to go on for now. Thanks!

[mike100]

C4's like to act possessed right before you lose a battery.

[rush91]

Originally Posted by Demps

All great advice.

One other thought...Following the KISS principle: are the battery terminal bolts correctly threaded and tightened? I had one that was stripped and appeared tight but wasn't.

Ted

Great advice. I'd start there as well.....Make sure you don't have loose connections at the terminal. I would disconnect the battery for a minute, then tighten it down good. Did you hear the car backfire at all?