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  #16  
Old 09-17-2007, 05:04 PM
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That's a good point. When I opened the hood on Friday the first thing I remarked metally was the heat off the engine. I still haven't spent a lot of time under the hood of my SVX, even less when the engine has been hot, but I'm fairly certain it was hotter on Friday when I popped the hood. The coolant temp gauge read normal operating temperature, but that doesn't mean the entire engine bay was heat saturated.
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  #17  
Old 09-22-2007, 11:36 AM
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Another update:

I started driving the SVX to work on Wednesday with the multimeter rigged up. Not a single problem at any time. I do a lot of rush hour driving, so the engine bay is as hot as it's going to get.

I think I'll buy a new (reman) alternator soon and keep it on hand as a spare, but for now it seems my car is cooperating with me.

Thanks for the input guys, I'll post if things get troublesome again.
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92 Ebony Mica LS-L "A Rolling Restoration": 223,250 KM - Sleeping
2007 STi 6MT, Stance GR+ coilovers, PWR Rad, JDM hood badge, svxfiles 6000K HIDs, JDM Clear Corners, $15/15 min mod, $20/20 min mod, Energy Swaybar Bushings, Hella Supertones horns, Gold STi BBS rims, Group A lightweight crank pulley, A/C system removed, Custom header-back exhaust, Hybrid carbon/metal rear sway bar, restored headlights with CCFL halos
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  #18  
Old 09-22-2007, 02:37 PM
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If you have access to an automotive electrical shop, it'd be WELL worth your while to get an OEM alt from someone and have it rebuilt/upgraded. I'd say getting it upgraded to 120A from OEM 95A would be a worthwhile investment.

Also I'd install an aftermarket volt guage. Whenever I get my SVX I'll be adding a 3 guage setup with volts, oil press, and trans temp. Not REALLY sure where, or how I'll mount them just yet. I'll need to get used to the interior to see where would be best.
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Last edited by crazyhorse; 09-22-2007 at 02:39 PM.
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  #19  
Old 09-22-2007, 04:34 PM
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you'll need a warm day and have to drive at slow speeds with your AC on to reproduce this.

not sure what the real fix is but...

-batt
-alt
-belts

made it go away, in a couple subarus
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  #20  
Old 10-20-2007, 06:30 PM
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My electrical problem strikes again! Not so much trouble this time, the car didn't stall out and I got it off the road without any issues, but I had the same thumping from the speakers, lit up ABS and air bag lights, and radio dying. I still have my voltmeter hooked up from last time, and a quick glance showed a reading of 6-8V at the battery.

New alternator time?
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92 Ebony Mica LS-L "A Rolling Restoration": 223,250 KM - Sleeping
2007 STi 6MT, Stance GR+ coilovers, PWR Rad, JDM hood badge, svxfiles 6000K HIDs, JDM Clear Corners, $15/15 min mod, $20/20 min mod, Energy Swaybar Bushings, Hella Supertones horns, Gold STi BBS rims, Group A lightweight crank pulley, A/C system removed, Custom header-back exhaust, Hybrid carbon/metal rear sway bar, restored headlights with CCFL halos
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  #21  
Old 10-20-2007, 06:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trevor View Post
This advice is significant ---- “Also, the air bag and ABS light started to light dimly.”

As the first up option, everything now indicates an intermittent connection and or shorted turns within the alternator. A bench test with the machine cold, may not show this up. It must be accepted that the fault is not permanent when making tests.
Go back to the drawing board.
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  #22  
Old 10-20-2007, 09:07 PM
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When my volt meter swings below Zero,

Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazy_pilot View Post

There was one oddity. Before starting the car I checked the battery. It didn't register a voltage. In fact, the needle on the multimeter swung as far below zero as it could. The car was able to start on it's own though, although the cranking speed was slower than normal. After being run for 5 minutes the battery read just over 12V with the car off.
I always refer to myself as "dumb-head" and switch the leads to the correct positive and negative terminals.
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  #23  
Old 10-20-2007, 09:09 PM
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to test it you will have to catch it in the act.

Always difficult with an erratic condition.
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  #24  
Old 10-20-2007, 11:01 PM
SLITHYTOVE SLITHYTOVE is offline
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Red face Strange Electrical Problem

It may be just a bad connection between battery and chassis, best to read voltage between car chassis and battery negative terminal with headlights on. If there is a high resistance you should get a voltage drop. I had the same problem with an aftermarket stereo, when i turned lights on the auto antenna would retract. Put a new lead from battery to a well earthed bolt on chassis and fixed the problem.
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  #25  
Old 10-20-2007, 11:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SLITHYTOVE View Post
It may be just a bad connection between battery and chassis, best to read voltage between car chassis and battery negative terminal with headlights on. If there is a high resistance you should get a voltage drop. I had the same problem with an aftermarket stereo, when i turned lights on the auto antenna would retract. Put a new lead from battery to a well earthed bolt on chassis and fixed the problem.
My thoughts exactly Check to make sure the engine block is grounded to the frame as well. If that all checks out, check continuity from the battery to the starter/ alternator as well. Some parts stores can check your alternator amperage with the car fully assembled, if you have a chain like autozone or such in your area. Or, if you know someone with a DC clamp-on amp meter, take a reading. Anything less than 15 - 20 amps at idle would make me suspect the alternator. Make sure you do your testing with the engine hot, I've had alternators short out when hot, but work fine cold.. Good luck, and let us know what you find!
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  #26  
Old 10-21-2007, 01:06 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trevor View Post
This advice is significant ---- “Also, the air bag and ABS light started to light dimly.”

As the first up option, everything now indicates an intermittent connection and or shorted turns within the alternator. A bench test with the machine cold, may not show this up. It must be accepted that the fault is not permanent when making tests.
Once again I post my original diagnosis.
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