electrical problem?

[jas98]

ok my VS is being weired lol. when it been sitting for a while and i start it and turn lights on (night time) the headlight's dim up and down and so does all interior lights...not enough to go dark but just flickers..i guess u could say that lol.

im thinking alternator or regulator? as within about 3 min it goes back to normal

[OzJD]

old battery?

[jas98]

yeh ill get the battery checked

cheers

[OzJD]

Just grab a multimeter, and check it (they cost less than $10 if you dont have one already)

[hako]

Sounds like the brushes in the alternator may be worn down so far they are only just touching the slip rings - an easy check by removing the brush holder at the rear of the alt. (2 screws). If not this I'd be looking at switches, relays and fuses.....move each of these to see if it causes dimming. I'd agree with the above posts as well.

[jas98]

cheers guys

got battery checked and it reading 492 cca and it a 520 cca battery so nothing wrong with it there


i check the brushes and relays tomorrow

cheers

[Chris E]

have you got a sound system?

[OzJD]

Yeah, what are you running that didn't come with the car? Carputer? Navigational Devices? Sound System?

[Changa]

My VS's lighting and head lights dim on start up, but I imagine this is because the starter motor draws alot of power from the battery temporarily cutting back the power for other accessories, I think its fairly normal.

[jas98]

ok update..

battery is ok (got it tested)

alternator output is 14.6 volts (when it diming up and down)

its liek its arching somewhere and makeing the lights, intrerior light, dash lights dim/spike (if that makes sence)..it only does it if it has been sitting (un started) for more then 4 hours...then it come good when u drive....but does look funny when u driveing and light are diming up and down (and interior lol)


seems liek it getting worse to

is there a main wire running somewhere that can cause this? me dad is an electrition and is handy with automotive sides of things but if we/he cant find anything then ill bite teh bullet and take it in it a auto place


yes i have a sterio in teh car but it aint on when i start it

[hako]

Check all connections to the relay and fuse block under the bonnet....maybe one of the fusible links is loose or corroded. Check all relays to see if they get hot during operation also tap them gently.
14.6V is too high for the alternator - should be 14.2V maximum...maybe the regulator needs replacing or the multimeter you're using is reading wrong?
Try turning the lights on etc and then with the engine running wiggle/wobble/gently pull all wiring basically everywhere till hopefully the fault repeats.
Before all this happened did you do any electrical work on the car?
Last thought - check the ignition switch wiring where it connects behinds the ignition key.

[VrWagz1]

Sounds like a high resistance joint somwhere in a main fuse somwhere(coroded or loose fitting). Whats the voltage in the light cct when they dim. Possibly check the a/c voltage as said above as 14.6v does seem high and it still might be a dying reg. It also might be the lug for the main V+ at the back of the alternatot - somtimes the wire burns inside the lug due to poor fitting lug.

[jas98]

cheers guys will check all this...might even throw in a new regulator for good measures:P

[VrWagz1]

also have you measured if any ac voltage exists, that will indicate a dead diode too