alternator?

[tmorales509]

well when i come to a stop the lights dim & the heater gets low, but when i start going the light get bright again and the heater blows harder. The battery is about a year old and the alternator is a little over 2 years old.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Yeah, sounds like the alternator to me.

I've gone through nearly half a dozen alternators on mine--all but the original have been rebuilt since you can't find 100% new ones anymore. Not one of the resplacements has lasted longer than 3 years.

Check the voltage with a multimeter while someone else revs the engine. If it drops below 14v ever, you probably need to replace it.

[Beancooker]

So Chris, when are you going to stop paying the money, and learn to wind an alternator yourself? Just a few brushes and some copper, and you're all set!

[maxhopper]

If the alternator checks good, it's more than likely a grounding issue. You should be able to get a grounding kit, and fix those problems. It worked on my 4th gen - same symptoms (most noticeable with the AC or defrost on).

[A.Tech]

mine will dip below 14V when I hit the brakes at a light. but only to like 13.8 so it is not bad. I have a voltmeter in my car for readings. I bet if has to do with my system draining a lot as well and I may need a new batt and at least a 1.2 farat cap.

[MinisterofDOOM]

1.2 FARAD?! What are you powering? A rave club?

[tmorales509]

maxhopper, u mean these things. they are from 20-50 bucks on ebay.

[maxhopper]

That's what I'm talking about. You can do one of those, or get one form here. http://www.mattblehm.com/enginegrounding.htm

[tmorales509]

so are they pretty hard to install? how long does it take?

[maxhopper]

Really easy to do. If you get one from the previous link I posted, the wires will all be premeasured to connect to specific locations on your car. That's the kind I have on mine, and it only took about an hour to install.

[tmorales509]

hmmm, i dont really like the way they look tho, how they stick out like that, but i will probly get em anyway.

[maxhopper]

The one from Blehmco doesn't look like an octopus is sitting on your battery.

[nismo1219]

here's you a link for the install. it's a very straight-forward write-up thats easy to understand. just need a few basic tools and your set. install time shouldnt take anymore than 30 minutes or so, but may take a bit longer if your anal about how things look. anyways, here ya go....

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/24211/3

and here's an old pic of my engine bay. basically, you get the idea of how the kit will look.



hope this helps!!

[tmorales509]

looks easy but i have the vg30e motor.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Shouldn't be any more difficult for our 3rd gens. Different wire lengths but other than that basically the same.

[A.Tech]

lol... opps. My bad I forgot the /

1/2 farad...

[tmorales509]

hmm, i dunno if its just me but i cleaned and tightened one of the ground points and the lights dont seem to dim anymore, lol. Its a miracle!!!.lol