[Charles]

Yet something else going wierd on me...

I had my battery and charging system checked. Everything's normal. AC compressor is a year old. R134a conversion.

Anyway, I have had issues with the lights dimming, LED clock taking a couple of seconds to light up, OEM speakers cutting out.

I think it is when the AC clutch engages. Could it be going out already and could that cause the issue?

I really could use some cash to fix all these gremlins I am getting.

 

[stick]

That's weird...the A/C system shouldn't really be a huge electrical draw on the system. All it does is engage or disengage the clutch based upon temperature and system pressure. Maybe there's a short somewhere.

 

[Charles]

That's what I am hoping it is not. Shorts are a real pain to find.

 

[Funbelly]

ya its probly a shot. i take mine out i dont like a/c to much weight and takes up to much space. i realy have no use for it only time that i would have ac is if i lived in like AZ or Socal but i live in Iowa so there no use for ac to cool down just got hit up the intersate ha

 

[stick]

If you disconnect the power plugs on the top of the compressor, does your car still do it?

 

[Charles]

I'll give it a try tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[rex2nr]

it almost sounds like a voltage regulator or something of that sort, but you said you had that all checked out...

i'd try disconnecting it and seeing what happens, it could also be a short somewhere, which would not be fun to fix, at least for me

and where the heck are you that you're using your AC? its 23 out here, 12 w/the wind chill

 

[Charles]

I am in Texas. 82 degrees today.

It was only checked at the auto parts store. Where is the voltage regulator?

 

[stick]

I am in Texas. 82 degrees today.

It was only checked at the auto parts store. Where is the voltage regulator?

It's inside the alternator on our cars. I had a very weird problem on my car, and it turned out to be a slight break in the power lead that bolts onto the top of the alternator. Check for brown insulation on the wires...it's usually an indicator of excessive heat/resistance.

 

[Charles]

I'lll have a look today. Thanks!

 

[Krix]

Did they check your charging system with the loads on? Alternator problems dont always show when you want them too.

 

[Charles]

I am not sure what it means to have the loads on. They used a big handheld device and did tests with the engine both off and then on.

Goofing with it some more this morning, I found another thing. If I put the key in the "on" position, pressing the brake pedal substantially dims the clock and radio. I don't remember it affecting it that much.

 

[Krix]

loads are things like a/c, headlights, fan etc.. sometimes an alternator will show ok with no load on, but under load it cant put out enough voltage. I think you might have a battery problem if the lights are dimming without the car on. A battery can have whats called a surface charge. Basically the battery is not charged fully, just enough to make a tester give a false reading. Not to mention the testing equipment most FLAPS use are old and outdated by current standards.