Nas Escobar Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 Well, when I bought my Cutlass, it had to be jumped in order to start. My first instinct was that the battery was dead on it. After 3 days of owning it, I've come to realize that the battery may have been good after all. I went outside to start the car, and the battery was drained again. I jumped it, and drove around as if everything was normal until night came. It is then that I noticed that my lights dim whenever I run any accessories. If I use my blinkers, the lights dim and go back to normal. If I brake, the same thing happens. One interesting thing is that whenever I have my e-flashers on and the car is running, the voltage drops from 14 to 12, if not less, or if I'm idling, the lights will randomly surge. With that said, should I look at the alternator, or shall I look for something that may be draining my battery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95 vert Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 I'd check battery connections first. Corroded or loose terminals could explain the issues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertISaar Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 i've had a bad/damaged battery do the same before... but it could be a weak battery or alternator or just bad wiring/connections.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White92Cutlass Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 O'reilly Auto or Autozone will test both your alternator and battery for free while in the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nas Escobar Posted February 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 (edited) So there is a way to test the alt when it's in the car? and I ask excluding the obvious way that we all have been taught to do it. Edited February 11, 2013 by Nas Escobar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White92Cutlass Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 So there is a way to test the alt when it's in the car? and I ask excluding the obvious way that we all have been taught to do it. Yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicutlass_Supremacy Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 I had the same problem and it was very easy to repair. Hope this could help you!! http://www.w-body.com/showthread.php/74990-Low-Voltage-problem-with-low-beam-headlight?p=1133475#post1133475 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich17 Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 O'reilly Auto or Autozone will test both your alternator and battery for free while in the car. The problem with testing the on the car tho is that it wont diagnose a cable problem and you could be buying parts that arent needed. Take both the battery and alt to the store and have them bench test them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nas Escobar Posted February 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Isn't the alternator in a hard to reach spot on the 3.4 though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nas Escobar Posted February 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2013 Well I avoided something drastic there. Turns out the dodo head that worked at Advance Auto Parts didn't tighten the positive terminal all the way. I was able to take it off with my fingers, as I was going to clean the terminals hoping it fixed my issue. Glad it wasn't serious. Also replaced a side marker bulb since it wouldn't blink when the flashers were on (It's a front one). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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