electrical issue??? MAYBE.....

[2000lson20s]

Well I just picked up a 2000 ls v8 about a week ago and I noticed that when the car is at idle the lights,blower,and all seem to be dull. blower blows low and lights are dimmed. When I step on the gas everything seems to go back to normal and blower blows fast and lights get bright.

Is this a ground issue or what?? I have an optima red top. Thanks for the help

 

[Andrizzle]

do you have a DMM?

Check the voltage while the car is @ idle. Sounds like alternator is dying.

 

[NYC LS8]

Alternator.

 

[2000lson20s]

Dahm nice!

 

[2000lson20s]

ok results are in

Car is warmed up and settled at around 700-800 rpms

idle is 14.42
idle with ac on 13.52


I would assume that the alt is working fine and maybe there is another issue. HELP!!! what do you guys think?

 

[rsimmons1]

I dunno mine was doing that a little over a year ago during the winter and then I ended up needing a new battery a few months later

 

[joegr]

ok results are in

Car is warmed up and settled at around 700-800 rpms

idle is 14.42
idle with ac on 13.52


I would assume that the alt is working fine and maybe there is another issue. HELP!!! what do you guys think?

I think that 13.5 is on the low side for such little load. I would suspect that the alternator is on its way out.

 

[Andrizzle]

yep. sounds like your alt is @ the stage of being able to provide power for the normal car loads, then anything added really puts a strain on the charging system. And the alt has to be spun like 3k RPM faster t make up for the difference.

I'd say get the alt checked out for sure.

 

[2000lson20s]

I've had the car a week and when I did the voltage check it was dark. When I went out today I noticed that the ground wire in the car now is all stripped up. Meaning the coating on it is not fully in tact. You guys think maybe that has something to do with it? thanks guys.

 

[2000lson20s]

.............

 

[freedom9ner]

Maybe if it's corroded very heavily at the point of contact. A little surface rust on the wire itself woulden't do any noticeable effect.

 

[2000lson20s]

I'm gonna make a better ground for it tomorrow and see what happens. Errr this car is a mess. lol