Electrical problems! Help me obi wan.

[flyguy]

Okay... time to get a new car... but heres my current problem. My power gauge is going nuts, my battery light is coming on and off randomly... and my lights are dimming and my engine sounds funny. now the wierd part. Could be total chance... all this was happening over several days when I was pretty low on gas...as soon as I filled up, all the major problems just stopped.... just like that... goin nuts pulling into chevron, working alot better pulling out of chevron. Must be the Techron I say. Anyways, could something be wrong with my fuel pump? As it is now, it still runs pretty low of the normal side on my volometer... but its not going crazy like it was when I was low on gas. Hmm... ideas? Or is the whole fuel thing just chance?

nick

 

[yob_yeknom]

Low enough on gas that it could have been running out going up a hill or something? Was it trying to die? A battery getting low along with that could cause the headlights to dim and all that if it wasn't turning the alternator fast enough.

 

[flyguy]

Nope... it was a constant thing.. plus I wasnt out of gas I dont think..unless my guage is wrong. Plus my engine wasnt "sputtering" just revving funny. And yeah, I think somethings up with my alternator again or something.... It never seems to charge right. Especially at idle.

nick

 

[mdrut]

Sounds like the regulator in the alt. is sticking..Pull it off and take it to the parts store and let them check it for you..

 

[flyguy]

the parts store lies to you. Its true.

 

[yob_yeknom]

If you weren't running out of gas, then the fill up and it works fine thing is just a coincidence.
I agree with mdrut about the voltage regulator. That was going to be my next suggestion. That would cause the voltage do go up and down. That explains why the voltage light would go on and off, the lights would dim and brighten, and the coil wouldn't be getting enough juice to make a good spark causing the engine to run bad.

 

[flyguy]

damn.. now its just constantly in the - position. not even fluctuating. that sucks.

 

[flyguy]

See...its a brand new alternator.. and ive been having the same problem over and over. Everybody says its fine... except for the auto parts place... but then they try to sell me stuff. Oh well. I think Im going to give up and give it to ford. Have em put in their best alternator... what is it? 130amps? Hmmm.. I guess I should make it street legal and take off my intake tube and all that first.

nick