Connor280ZX Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 So today i made a trip to a relatives house in my 82 ZX, going through a tunnel, straight shot, and all of the sudden all of my dash lights come on, and my voltage drops to 12-13 volts on the meter. Car is still running 4th gear 40-45mph. after 10-15 seconds, the dash lights go off, but the volt meter still reads low, like the Alternator isnt charging. A minute or so after the Dash lights go off, the Volt meter reads normal (14-15 volts). Throughout the rest of the trip this happens randomly, sometimes the dash lights just flicker for a second when the volts drop, sometimes they dont flicker on at all when the volts drop. Checked all connections that i could, and they all seem tight and secure. Alternator was replaced 10k miles ago by previous owner. No belt slipping when volts drop. Could there be a short somewhere? Bad ground? All input is appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexter72 Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 The alternator maybe going bad. Had this happen to my zx with a rebuilt alternator, got a replacement and it did the same thing. After the third alternator i got a good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tecreatta Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 I had the same happen to my 79. Had to replace the alternator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
col10see Posted May 14, 2013 Share Posted May 14, 2013 Same here new alternator fixed it up... it was like 50$ from autozone and had a lifetime warranty...acdelco I think but no problems since Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connor280ZX Posted May 14, 2013 Author Share Posted May 14, 2013 Thanks for the input! Thats really interesting. I always thought that when an alternator was going bad, it would overcharge the battery, or start seizing up... What could have caused this? Its a pretty new one after all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domzs Posted May 15, 2013 Share Posted May 15, 2013 Thanks for the input! Thats really interesting. I always thought that when an alternator was going bad, it would overcharge the battery, or start seizing up... What could have caused this? Its a pretty new one after all... Most alternators will not charge when bad . Overcharged condition is rare . Bad voltage regulator is most likely the caused . It's not a good idea to have an overcharged condition , I have seen fried electrical system due to overcharging ( exploding headlight bulbs ) . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zxNick Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 (edited) I have the same problem all the dash light come on but my volt meter stays the same could it be the same thing? And how long do i have until it fully goes out? Edited May 16, 2013 by 280zxNick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domzs Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 I have the same problem all the dash light come on but my volt meter stays the same could it be the same thing? And how long do i have until it fully goes out? If your alternator is not charging then it could stop running at anytime . If dash lights are on and voltmeter shows 12v or less while engine is running then you need to check your charging system . Check with FSM for testing . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zxNick Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 If your alternator is not charging then it could stop running at anytime . If dash lights are on and voltmeter shows 12v or less while engine is running then you need to check your charging system . Check with FSM for testing . The alternator is charging and its always showing around 14v with the dash lights still on. To add another thing while im stopped sometimes the dash light will go off but if i hit the brake pedal they will come back on or they come on and off over bumps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domzs Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Sounds like you have a bad connection somewhere . What year is your car ? Assuming it's a ZX , digital or analog gauge ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zxNick Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 It's a 1980 and an analog gauge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domzs Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Check your " bulb check relay " . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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