chadz34 Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 Can anyone tell me where the stock electrical grounds are on the car, I would like to check them, I have dimming lights when I use any power at night time, or at least it is more noticeable. I tightened and checked the battery terminals and AUX terminal, I cleaned the aux terminal. Taped wire, and even electrical greased the whore lol. So, just wondering if anyone knows where the grounds are? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hal H Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 Be sure to check the grounds that go to the block (major ones there) I'd also clean and apply electrical grease to the alternator connections - those a vital ones too. When the engine is running, most of the load is running off the alt. It probably would be a good idea to check the alt's output at idle and under load (high beams, rear defog, and A/C on) to see what voltage output you have under those conditions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadz34 Posted May 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2008 Be sure to check the grounds that go to the block (major ones there) I'd also clean and apply electrical grease to the alternator connections - those a vital ones too. When the engine is running, most of the load is running off the alt. It probably would be a good idea to check the alt's output at idle and under load (high beams, rear defog, and A/C on) to see what voltage output you have under those conditions. When defrost, and heat is on the engine almost stalls. It also idles up and down erratically, when power items are off the engine runs smoother. With interior lights on they dim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hal H Posted May 11, 2008 Report Share Posted May 11, 2008 you've got the symptoms of low voltage - the ECM isn't getting the voltage levels it should, as you mention by the engine idle surging/almost stalling. There are ground points on the front radiator support - lift up the covers behind the lights to see if any are there. Certainly are many ground points around the battery tray and within the engine compartment that also ground the the body frame. You likely have corrosion that is affecting the grounding points, unbolt and clean them - got through all of them wherever you find them. These are secured by a star washer and bolt - after all the years and the environment they're in, something has excess resistance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOT2B GM Posted May 11, 2008 Report Share Posted May 11, 2008 bad alternator? Check the aux terminal for tightness? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadz34 Posted May 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2008 bad alternator? Check the aux terminal for tightness? I'm thinking it is the alternator, becuase the dimming ONLY occurs when the engine is running, if the engine is not running nothing dims! The Aux terminal has been cleaned reassembled and dielectric greased like a mother. How the hell do I test the alternator given it's location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z34Phoenix Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 i had this issue with my alt... it was a bad voltage regulator... and on our cars it isnt servicable have to replace the alt... and yes its a pain to get at too. i used to go thru fog lamp bulbs so much before... with the new alt the bulbs last 4-5 times as long... the fluctuation voltage took its toll on the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadz34 Posted May 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 i had this issue with my alt... it was a bad voltage regulator... and on our cars it isnt servicable have to replace the alt... and yes its a pain to get at too. i used to go thru fog lamp bulbs so much before... with the new alt the bulbs last 4-5 times as long... the fluctuation voltage took its toll on the car. I undid the positive terminal and when anything power is used, the car will stall. I tried this one time before with my 92 Z34 and it would run everything with no battery. I'm sure now it's the alternator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 i had this issue with my alt... it was a bad voltage regulator... and on our cars it isnt servicable have to replace the alt... and yes its a pain to get at too. i used to go thru fog lamp bulbs so much before... with the new alt the bulbs last 4-5 times as long... the fluctuation voltage took its toll on the car. I undid the positive terminal and when anything power is used, the car will stall. I tried this one time before with my 92 Z34 and it would run everything with no battery. I'm sure now it's the alternator. You are not supposed to do that on a modern car. You could fry something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadz34 Posted May 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 i had this issue with my alt... it was a bad voltage regulator... and on our cars it isnt servicable have to replace the alt... and yes its a pain to get at too. i used to go thru fog lamp bulbs so much before... with the new alt the bulbs last 4-5 times as long... the fluctuation voltage took its toll on the car. I undid the positive terminal and when anything power is used, the car will stall. I tried this one time before with my 92 Z34 and it would run everything with no battery. I'm sure now it's the alternator. You are not supposed to do that on a modern car. You could fry something. Shit I didnt know that, my dad told me to try it, but he is old school! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadz34 Posted May 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2008 It is fixed it wasn't the alt, it was the battery it was not putting out what it was supposed to. It is supposed to be 9.6V easy under load, it was below those requirements thanks all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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