Yes, the lights are pulsing(dimming and getting brighter), really quick, it's like the voltage is getting higher and lower, but really quick. Will check with a meter and try another ground
Just checked, the lights are pulsing really fast. I put the headlights on and the pulsing is slower and about every 3 to 4 seconds the pulsing stops and becomes normal for about a second or two and then it comes back again. I put another ground on the battery and never made no difference. I put the meter on when I had the headlights on and the voltage was pulsing around 12.5 volts and when it became normal the voltage was around 14.5 volts
The alternator/voltage regulator was the cause of those symptoms in our 88 coupe. The headlights flashed similar to the way a motorcycle headlight pulses. If I remember correctly, it was putting out something like 15.5 volts.
The one I had still have, was new from Ebay but it had been bought and put on the shelf and not used quickly enough to discover the problem and return it.
[This message has been edited by fierofool (edited 05-25-2014).]
Originally posted by newfiejeff: I put the meter on when I had the headlights on and the voltage was pulsing around 12.5 volts and when it became normal the voltage was around 14.5 volts.
If the alternator were working correctly, the voltage should remain constant at about 14.5V. Since it's dropping down to 12.5V that means the alternator is cutting in and out and causing the car to run on battery power.
That is what I am expecting it to be. I will have to get one and swap it out, it is still under warranty(3years). The worse part is the location is not ideal if I can remember, but that it's.
plug or sense wire with problems then can look like alt is bad.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Yep, pulsing lights is a classic symptom of a failing alternator. But just to be thorough, you should also check the battery terminals for looseness or corrosion, and check the ground strap(s) to make sure there's a good connection on both ends. Also check the power distribution block next to the battery, to make sure the connections are tight.
The last time I heard that problem the guy was clipping his power amp.
Spoon
------------------ "Kilgore Trout once wrote a short story which was a dialogue between two pieces of yeast. They were discussing the possible purposes of life as they ate sugar and suffocated in their own excrement. Because of their limited intelligence, they never came close to guessing that they were making champagne." - Kurt Vonnegut