jpdm Posted March 24, 2003 Report Share Posted March 24, 2003 Hello, I just found this forum and I hope that someone can help me out. For the past few weeks I’ve noticed power surges. I have a 94 cutlass supreme with a 3.4 and the one of the gauges is a battery gauge (this is how I know I’m getting these power surges). I've had my alternator and battery checked and they are both fine. As soon as I start the car I get a voltage reading of 12 - 13 but as I continue to drive it dips down to about 9 - 10 and stays there. When I use my turn signals I can see the voltage reading surge up and down, I also notice that my headlights are dimmer than usual. If any one has experienced this before or has any suggestions as to what I can check or what might be wrong please let me know Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby1870 Posted March 24, 2003 Report Share Posted March 24, 2003 sounds like you got a power leak somewhere. Or, do you have a system or anything that would be drawing excessive amounts of power? Either way, it sounds like a power leak somewhere, I have never had one, so wait til others who have read this. BTW, welcome to the site, hope you enjoy it. Robby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpdm Posted March 24, 2003 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2003 That was a quick response. I don't have a system ... my deck doesn't even read CD's anymore, pure radio for me . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted March 24, 2003 Report Share Posted March 24, 2003 Have you had anything disconnected lately? Check for loose or dirty grounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesse Posted March 24, 2003 Report Share Posted March 24, 2003 I would get a second opinion on your battery and alternator, after looking for obvious grounds and loose conections on them both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismellrealbad Posted March 24, 2003 Report Share Posted March 24, 2003 um that turn signal thing is normal, at least it seems it. my 89 did it and it wasnt really surging, the guage just fluctuated with each flash but nothing else was affected. i actually just thought it was amusing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rglguy Posted March 24, 2003 Report Share Posted March 24, 2003 regulator in the alternator, or diodes, or your battery is starting to go and is killing yur alternator you say when it first starts its ok, then it gets bad, i bet your alternator is fucked and its fine in a test but get them to test it longer so it heats up, just get a new one , and a battery too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chronic139 Posted March 25, 2003 Report Share Posted March 25, 2003 check for bad grounds first because if you just throw in a new alt. and batt. without fixing the problem, youll just kill the new ones to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpdm Posted March 25, 2003 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2003 Thanks for all the replies. I'm gonna check the power cables tomorrow. I had my transmission rebuilt a few weeks back and the mechanic probably screwed one of the connections (I hope). If thats not it then i'll get another check done on the alt and bat. thanks again guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rglguy Posted March 25, 2003 Report Share Posted March 25, 2003 well after reading the post, i looked at my gage when i put my signal lights on, and lo and behold i had the slight irratic needle movement... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chronic139 Posted March 26, 2003 Report Share Posted March 26, 2003 its not really anything to worry about rgl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rglguy Posted March 27, 2003 Report Share Posted March 27, 2003 haha i know its nothing to worry about lol, its anoying now, casue i know about it and i keep looking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenjoseph82 Posted April 3, 2003 Report Share Posted April 3, 2003 Yeah, needle on my gauge fluctuates with the turn signal too. I've never thought to much about since my dad's 94' T-Bird does the same thing. I replaced the alternator about 3 years ago when I got the car. The gauge did that before and after I replaced it. I just figure that since these first gen GP's use fog light bulb for front turn signals, it causes and excessive power drain. God I really hate paying 7 bucks for a turn signal bulb though, ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rglguy Posted April 4, 2003 Report Share Posted April 4, 2003 my regal, it uses a 3051na, penut style bulb, nopt fog, thank god, price is ridiculous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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