Voltage problems
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Voltage problems - 6/26/2007 6:20:44 PM
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Mitsiboy
Posts: 20
Joined: 1/15/2005
Status: offline
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I just got my 07 Outie back from the dealer. I brought it in because the lights a dimming very badly when the AC turns on. I checked the voltage and it will go from 14.4 with high beams, fan, radio, domelights on. When I turn the AC on it drops to 13.3v. If it is at idle, it will fall to around 12v. The biggest problem I am having is that when I am driving at night the head lights will dim when the AC compressor turns on. The dealership told me that is normal. That is wrong. They wanted me to let the tech take my car home with him at night to see it dim the lights.
Has anyone else had this problem? If so, did a dealership fix it, and how?
Thanks for any help.
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RE: Voltage problems - 6/26/2007 8:02:30 PM
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rdenis
Posts: 452
Joined: 3/3/2007
From: Canada - you know, God's country
Status: offline
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Morons - it is not normal not by a long shot. You definitely have a problem with the charging system - I just ran the following voltage readings for comparison:
Idle - Radio on, highbeams on, A/C on full 13.9 to 14.1 volts
60 km/hr / 6th gear - same conditions - 14.2 to 14.4 volts
100 km/hr / 6th gear - same conditions - 14.4 to 14.5 volts
_____________________________
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RE: Voltage problems - 6/27/2007 12:53:11 PM
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tcp
Posts: 192
Joined: 6/14/2007
Status: offline
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If it only happens when the AC kicks on, and not with a high electrical load occuring by having other things running(ie. voltage stays good with lights on, heater blower on high, radio going while the vehicle is idling), chances are good that there is a short in the AC compressor clutch or wiring.
Here's a test to try:
- find the wiring going to the compressor clutch. It is near the pully on the end of the compressor. It allows the compressor to either freewheel or link up to the belt that runs the accessories. Disconnect the wiring. If it can't be disconnected directly at the compressor, follow the wiring back until you find a connector.
-create the condition that was showing the problem previously. If the lights no longer dim, you've found the culprit. If the problem continues, you may have a short in the wiring(possible, but not too likely), or there may be a relay that controls the clutch. Check your manual for fuses or relay locations and see if there is one for the AC compressor. Pull the fuse or relay and you're closer to a solution if the problem clears up. Let the tech doing the repair know what you've found. Let us know as well.
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RE: Voltage problems - 6/27/2007 1:08:43 PM
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Mitsiboy
Posts: 20
Joined: 1/15/2005
Status: offline
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I called the dealership today, they said that they were going to call the Mitsu Tech line. The had not done it yet, and since that was over 5 hours agao, I still haven't heard anything, I assume they never called. If this was one of my older cars, that is out of warranty, I would start to do some deep troubleshooting. This is only 6 mo old, and I don't want them trying to blame me for anything that is wrong, ie throwing a code. I think that it is one of two items: either the ac clutch or the coolant fan. I think it is the fan because I notice that the copressor kicks in a millisecond before the fan comes on, and that is when the lights dim. I was told by the dealership, that it woul throw a code if I disconected the fan.
I think it is sad that they spent all day to tell me that the lights are supposed to dim when the AC comes on. This place has just about lost my confidence.
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RE: Voltage problems - 6/27/2007 3:34:14 PM
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Manybrews
Posts: 732
Joined: 5/23/2003
From: United States
Status: offline
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of course its normal. An alternator at idle can only produce about 20-30 percent of its maximum output.
its normal on just about all cars on the planet. When you have a full electrical load running at idle, you're pulling maybe 40-50 amps. the output of the alternator is not going to be sufficient until lightly revved.
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