Electric problem at 74mph+. WTF? - FirebirdV6.com/CamaroV6.com Message Board

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Electric problem at 74mph+. WTF?

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Electric problem at 74mph+. WTF?

    I'm having a problem with my 98 A4 that I don't even know where to begin. When my car hits 74MPH or above my voltage drops and spikes rapidly. My interior and exterior lights dim and flash. This happens with or without the headlights on. I first thought this might be an engine RPM issue relating to the alternator so i dropped it into 3rd and brought it up to 73mph with no issue. As soon as I got above 74mph in 3rd the voltage went crazy again. The problem does not occur while the car is in neutral at any speed.

    I have no idea how to troubleshoot this problem because I can't duplicate it in the driveway. Its got to be something with the transmission but I have no clue what. Any help would be awesome. Thanks

  • #2
    Re: Electric problem at 74mph+. WTF?

    i saw this same exact problem on ls1tech, and the problem was either the alternator, or the voltage regulator.. cant really remember which it was

    dude even took a video as his dash would go wacko, the gauges would start going to random numbers, etc... i can see if i can find the thread.. but the search there sucks

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Electric problem at 74mph+. WTF?

      ok, i did a quick search, and a bunch of people have similar problems

      here is what was wrong:

      - low battery
      - loose negative terminal
      - bad grounds
      - bad alternator

      so i would say that you should try to clean the terminals, and see if it still does it.. if not, find the grounds, and clean them up.. depending on how old your battery is, get it load tested, or replace it (although the load testers ALWAYS fail a battery.. just a warning), and get your alternator checked out at advance/autozone

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Electric problem at 74mph+. WTF?

        Originally posted by cam98aro View Post
        i saw this same exact problem on ls1tech, and the problem was either the alternator, or the voltage regulator.. cant really remember which it was

        dude even took a video as his dash would go wacko, the gauges would start going to random numbers, etc... i can see if i can find the thread.. but the search there sucks
        Thanks man ,that would be great. My gauge numbers stay the same except for the volts which dives into the red (1/4 range) and jumps up to about 15. The other strange thing is my trip od resets the next time I start the car after I go over 75. PITA when I'm on a business trip and trying to track my miles.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Electric problem at 74mph+. WTF?

          Originally posted by cam98aro View Post
          ok, i did a quick search, and a bunch of people have similar problems

          here is what was wrong:

          - low battery
          - loose negative terminal
          - bad grounds
          - bad alternator

          so i would say that you should try to clean the terminals, and see if it still does it.. if not, find the grounds, and clean them up.. depending on how old your battery is, get it load tested, or replace it (although the load testers ALWAYS fail a battery.. just a warning), and get your alternator checked out at advance/autozone
          Wow that was quick!

          I'll check and clean everything first thing this weekend. The battery is a few years old as is the alt which died 2 days after I replace the battery:rant:. I think I might just replace them both when I get paid on Friday. Thanks for the help.

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Electric problem at 74mph+. WTF?

            Originally posted by whiteMaro View Post
            Wow that was quick!

            I'll check and clean everything first thing this weekend. The battery is a few years old as is the alt which died 2 days after I replace the battery:rant:. I think I might just replace them both when I get paid on Friday. Thanks for the help.
            yeah, i think it has more to do with the load put on the engine in 4th gear, lower rpms+faster driving+more wind resistance=higher load put on charging system, which is where you will start to see problems.. although i do think it is weird that it doesnt happen until you reach exactly 74mph

            i would get everything checked first before you spend any money, i would kinda feel bad for you to go out and spend $200 on a new battery/alt and still have the problem

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Electric problem at 74mph+. WTF?

              I don't trust my local shops. Every time I take a battery or alt in they tell me its dead. I can test my own batteries now but I'll just have to take the alt in and hope the guy is honest. I guess I could take it to a few places and average them out:naughty:

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Electric problem at 74mph+. WTF?

                autozone can test alternators

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Electric problem at 74mph+. WTF?

                  Originally posted by Fondle View Post
                  autozone can test alternators
                  Yeah if the person testing them knows what their doing.

                  TEAM C6V6

                  Comment

                  Latest Topics

                  Collapse

                  • ssms5411
                    Had to get another phone
                    by ssms5411
                    Well my iPhone 11 Pro Max took a dump, it’s in a boot up loop, will try and get it fixed and give it to my mom. So I got a new iPhone 15 pro max, everything...
                    1 week ago
                  • ssms5411
                    Leaking front cover
                    by ssms5411
                    So I’m still leaking coolant, I think it’s my front cover, going to double check when it’s alittle warmer, got the Zzp extra thick timing cover...
                    2 weeks ago
                  • transamtom1
                    Went to look at 2002 V6 Firebird Vert.
                    by transamtom1
                    Local car on a small lot just over 100k mikes(178,000 kms)

                    Silver with grey leather and black top 3.8L for $5400 cdn or $3975 usd as is....
                    3 weeks ago

                  FORUM SPONSORS

                  Collapse
                  Working...
                  X