Its a 90 LSC and for the past week or so, every time I stop my lights get really dim and the speedo starts jumping around my radio even shuts off sometimes. I have a new bat and I tested the alt and it was fine, any thoughts thanks guys
electrical problem
- Thread starter Midnight
- Start date
1wykdmk8
LvC Dues Collector
Could be corrosion at the battery terminals. Or even a bad chasis ground. :Beer
NYC LS8
Dedicated LVC Member
It's time for a new alternator and voltage regulator. Classic symptoms. Take them to AutoZone and have them tested again. Could also be a loose connection somwhere, as I've had that one happen to me.
bufordtpisser
Dedicated LVC Member
Auto Zone
Just make sure that the Auto Zone Tech knows what he is doing. My Mark left me sit on friday. I was pulling into the bank to make a deposit(first problem, Marks can smell extra money). Backed into a space to write the deposit ticket and my electricals started going haywire. First the Air Conditioner went off, then the radio, then finally the Check Charging system message came on. I turned off everything that I could and tried to make it ti the local Auto Zone. (2 Blocks away). Nothing doing. Left me sitting in a parking lot. Took my old battery out and got a ride to Auto Zone. They put the battery on the tester. After hooking it up backwards, not once, but twice, started testing. Told me the readings were low and it would take over an hour and a half to dod the full test, but it looked as though my battery was toast. So I bought a Yellow Top Optima. You know, the good one. $179.00. They told me to bring the car back in as soon as I hooked up the new battery and they would test the alternator. Just to be sure. So like a good little money spending drone, that is what I did. Took it in, hooked up the tester, and according to the tech, all was well in charging land. But miraculously, my old battery was done on the tester and was also fine. Loaded up the old battery aand the 5 year old son and down the road we went. Next day on my way to get parts for the Super Glide money pit, car is driving fine, and then everything electrical starts shutting down, just as before. Oh no, the electrical gremlin had the mark by the short and curlys. So I installed the old battery back into its rightful spot. Car started and drove just fine. Pulled into the driveway and upon testing the output of the alternator, found that it was only putting out 11 volts. Put in my spare alternator, and now all is fine.
Moral of this overly long and boring story, Make sure that the tech nows what he is doing.
Just make sure that the Auto Zone Tech knows what he is doing. My Mark left me sit on friday. I was pulling into the bank to make a deposit(first problem, Marks can smell extra money). Backed into a space to write the deposit ticket and my electricals started going haywire. First the Air Conditioner went off, then the radio, then finally the Check Charging system message came on. I turned off everything that I could and tried to make it ti the local Auto Zone. (2 Blocks away). Nothing doing. Left me sitting in a parking lot. Took my old battery out and got a ride to Auto Zone. They put the battery on the tester. After hooking it up backwards, not once, but twice, started testing. Told me the readings were low and it would take over an hour and a half to dod the full test, but it looked as though my battery was toast. So I bought a Yellow Top Optima. You know, the good one. $179.00. They told me to bring the car back in as soon as I hooked up the new battery and they would test the alternator. Just to be sure. So like a good little money spending drone, that is what I did. Took it in, hooked up the tester, and according to the tech, all was well in charging land. But miraculously, my old battery was done on the tester and was also fine. Loaded up the old battery aand the 5 year old son and down the road we went. Next day on my way to get parts for the Super Glide money pit, car is driving fine, and then everything electrical starts shutting down, just as before. Oh no, the electrical gremlin had the mark by the short and curlys. So I installed the old battery back into its rightful spot. Car started and drove just fine. Pulled into the driveway and upon testing the output of the alternator, found that it was only putting out 11 volts. Put in my spare alternator, and now all is fine.
Moral of this overly long and boring story, Make sure that the tech nows what he is doing.
NYC LS8
Dedicated LVC Member
I think the real moral of the story is...if you have the know-how, test things yourself 
bufordtpisser
Dedicated LVC Member
Absolutely Right.
I have the know how, and some of the equipment. But to test the diode field, you need more specialized equipment than I have or am willing to purchase. The reason for the story was to make the person with the problem aware of the fact that not all techs at places like autozone know how to properly conduct such tests. But your point was well taken. I should have stayed with the tech the entire time and actually toldor instructed him on how to perform the test. After all, my 15 years as a mechanic and all of my training should have been sufficient. But then again I am a Computer Security Specialist and I do believe that I have earned the right to pay for service on my vehicles when I feel like being lazy. I did however install the new battery and the replacement alternator. And I will be rebuilding the old alternator myself. Lesson learned.
I have the know how, and some of the equipment. But to test the diode field, you need more specialized equipment than I have or am willing to purchase. The reason for the story was to make the person with the problem aware of the fact that not all techs at places like autozone know how to properly conduct such tests. But your point was well taken. I should have stayed with the tech the entire time and actually toldor instructed him on how to perform the test. After all, my 15 years as a mechanic and all of my training should have been sufficient. But then again I am a Computer Security Specialist and I do believe that I have earned the right to pay for service on my vehicles when I feel like being lazy. I did however install the new battery and the replacement alternator. And I will be rebuilding the old alternator myself. Lesson learned.
OldSchool1
Dedicated LVC Member
So Midnight ...
Whadyado?
Whadyado?
582Boat
Active LVC Member
Electrical problems
Enjoyed your thread, I like your style. Docbufordtpisser said: