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Electrical/Engine Problem?!?! PLEASE HELP!

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by asn13oy, Dec 2, 2007.

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    asn13oy Stepping Stones

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    Electrical/Engine Problem?!?! PLEASE HELP!

    No one ever looks in maintenance so I posted this here...sorry.

    I started my car today and I noticed it for the first time...a high pitched whine coming from the speakers. This sound matched the revs of the engine exactly.

    At first I thought ground loop, but I haven't done anything to the car, electrical wise, in at least a year. I decided to ignore it until I came to my first red light. From fifth gear I dropped it into neutral...as soon as the revs fell to 500-750 rpm:

    - My headlights flashed off, then back on
    - My radio turned off, then back on
    - All instrument panel lights turned off, then back on.

    It kept doing this all the way home, at every red light...except when I down shifted to second and then neutral while stopping and let the revs fall from there, it was okay then.

    Now I'm thinking it might be the alternator.

    Any ideas?

    This is also being posted on 9th Gen.
    asn13oy, Dec 2, 2007
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    JspeXAE102 Well-Known Member

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    most likely the alternator, go get the entire charging system tested. It's free at some autopart stores.
    JspeXAE102, Dec 2, 2007
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    mburket Banned

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    has to be something with the alternator.
    mburket, Dec 2, 2007
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    1337Rolla oh my

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    I had a friends car do a similar thing when his alternator died. the electronics that control the voltage output in his alternator were toast, so at high revs the voltage would exceed 30V and at the low end drop to about 4-5. Made his electronics go nuts. I would definitely have the charging system checked.
    1337Rolla, Dec 2, 2007
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    WhitePearl New Member

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    Actually i just a recent problem with alternator, i was driving along, then all of a sudden, my radio went out, my lights got dim, the clock went out. My advise is take the alternator off the car and get it tested, most likely its the voltage regulator in the alternator.
    WhitePearl, Dec 2, 2007
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    plu Well-Known Member

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    a bad battery can do the same thing cuz it happen to me. Just not as severe. My radio and lights would flicker on and off while driving on the interstate and in the city. Replaced the battery and all problems go bye bye.
    plu, Dec 2, 2007
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    asn13oy Stepping Stones

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    Thank you for all your replies and insight. Strangely, the problem seems to have gone away by itself. It just doesn't do it anymore...odd. My only guess now is that water may have gotten into the alternator, and now it's dried out. It had been raining here in So. Cal. and this happened the night after the rains stopped. Time will tell.
    asn13oy, Dec 4, 2007
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