Mach30SiR

I just got my cl a few weeks ago. I've noticed lately that when i put on the blinker or load the system up, the lights dim, and brighten and dim and brighten, in unison with my turn signals.

I had acura test the alternator out put, and they said it was fine. Its a delphi alternator, not delco, so it was probably replaced once already.

So whats up? Battery, Relay somewhere, what would you all suggest checking now? maybe batter output??

The battery in there is an Acura/Honda motors battery, could be origional.

1998 3.0

Mach30SiR

I'm starting to think i should have labeled this "look at my new rice hood" i would have gotten a reply by now.

circuitcah

I have the exact same problem w/ my '98 3.0. Others on this board have posted about it too. I have replaced my alternator and checked all of the grounds that I can see, but still have not fixed the 'problem'. I have yet to find a posting on this board about a sure fix to this issue. Most say it's the alternator, but with a new one in place I saw no change.

Hope this info helps some and if you find a solution, let me know!

wilp99

try cleaning the battery posts. even if they look ok. and make sure ur chassy groud is not corroded where it connects to the car.

this is prolly the most anti-rice website in nerdville.

uiskibum

it does sound like a bad ground issue. all i can think of to check wilp already mentioned

Mach30SiR

:: going ground sanding ::

i'll let ya guys know. Correct me if i'm wrong, but the car runs off the battery not the alternator right? The alternator just keeps the battery charged at all times?

uiskibum

to my knowledge when the car is running it is getting 12volt from the alternator. The battery is used to start the car, run acc. (when the car is off), maintain certain settings (radio, clock, etc.)

Mach30SiR

welp cleaning all the grounds didn't work, there wasn't much to clean anyways.

any more ideas? its pretty annoying.

ajbent86

maybe your voltage regulator is goin bad.......

wilp99

check ur fuseable links, sometimes they get coroded and thin and that would cause poor power xfer

Jamz

mine has done the same thing since I got it 2 1/2 yrs ago

I haven't thought about it much since it only happens sitting at a stop with the blinkers on

Mach30SiR

please elaborate, whats a fuseable link?

circuitcah

The voltage regulator is built in to the alternator. Changing the alternator changes the regulator....

wilp99

a fuseable link is like an inline fuse. but it melts when a surge is enough. instead of the fuse "pop".

legendaryCL98

same here

i dunno what the problem is.. but the car runs okay

CL-zero

what i notice is that intake and exhoust sound change as it dims.

i think it is kind bad for car so i'm tring to find way to fix it but i have not.

dogfight

all "modern" cars run of the alternator... the battery is for starting and powering accesories when engine is off. you ca prove this by disconnecting the battery negative terminal while the engine is running... it will continue to run.

mfkitson

agreed that the car runs on the alternator, BUT, the battery can cause issues, if it's bad or going bad it can cause a "drain" on the alternator, so to speak, if it's getting to 4 or 5 years old, you may want to repalce it and see what happens....but it could be grounding problems too...

CL-Sweetness

Just my ...

I used to have a 98 3.0 and it did the lights dimming thing. I even noticed the headlights dimming with each click of the turn signal. I just got used to it after a while. But... I totaled the 98 (not my fault) and I now have a 99 3.0 and I have no problems with the lights dimming. I dunno...

proaudio22

The alternator in our cars is weak below 1500rpm. Put the car in neutral and step on the gas - you'll notice the "blinking/dimming" goes away.

Mach30SiR

so i turn the car off, and checked to see if the battery was the cause, and the lights dont dim or anything when the alternator isn't running, anyother ideas.

My acura dealer said it was putting out 14 volts at idle and a load. It really seems to only be the blinkers that cause the load, its not even the hazards that do it. the hazards dont cause a fluctuation.

CL-zero

Also when i put AC or defroster on rear window on, the dim goes away.

i can't understand this

wilp99

thats cause anytime theres a load of 12v or more from accessories, the alternator automatically starts to recharge the battery...

if u disconnect the positive on the battery while the car is running the car will run just as good as if it were connected. thats because the car runs strictly on the alternator. the battery is used for starting and kind of a "cap".

Mach30SiR

yep, we defintaely have the same problem. I tried putting the car in neutral and going to 2k rpm and the dimming went away, i'm thinking voltage regulator or something.

Mach30SiR

i shall not let this die.....how do we fix this, i'm not the only one searching for the problem.

circuitcah

My guess is that there is a common point somewhere in the grounds or 12V feed wires in the car that get to a point where they have a high resistance. I know Acura that these cars did not do this when they were new, so it is something that develops over time. The trick is to search the electrical system and find the bad connections..... where to start.....

Mach30SiR

alright back to the drawing board - alternator was replace today with a delphi (oem) from the dealer, still happens even more noticable now. is only low rpm's

spencer_homer

when my subs hit, my lights dim

Mach30SiR

get a cap for your car audio system. this is a different problem.

spencer_homer

i know

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

get a cap, and you'll be aight. My 3.0 farrad runs smooth, no major drain off the battery, 3.0 farrad and optima for the win

Mach30SiR

Next check will be grounds. But considering the problem goes way when the engine is at higher RPM's (Alternator is spinning faster) this might be a sign of a older battery. Never had it die on me before, and the car starts up on the first time every time, so i donno?

ib_jimmy

get a strong alternator...if u have a system...get a cap.

Mach30SiR

This was happening even before the system was put in, and even happens when the system is turned off. So i really think its independent of any system draw. ??

ib_jimmy

have u check ur timing? if the time is off slightly it would do that too.

Mach30SiR

wish they made .05 farad caps for my blinkers, oh well, i've been dealing with this for a year now, so i'll wait until the battery takes a dump and see if a replacement is whats needed.

What kind of battery came with acura's stock?

ajtcl

I had a similar problem, but then my alt took a crap and I replaced it with a stronger unit and now it doesn't do it. Replace the atock 80 ampre alternator with 120 ampre alternator and you'll be peachy.

Good luck

97BlackAckCL

iTrader: (6)

Or your alternator is failing

Mach30SiR

Just was replaced with a delphi (OEM) at the acura dealer.

Gaujo

HAHA so true.

Fixing problems = boring

nicey ricey = lots of attention