On my 87 Accord LXI, the heater blower is significantly weaker at idle than it is when you accelerate. Also, when I hit the brakes while idling/stopped, the interior gauge lights visibly dim and the headlight output dims. It goes back to normal when I release the brake. These issues have been in place since I got the car 2 years ago at 202,000 miles. I assume (perhaps incorrectly?) the blower fading at idle and the brake light effect on the interior and exterior lighting are likely related to the same problem.
Battery was replaced shortly after I bought the car, and it did not affect these problems at all. No better, no worse. Ditto when the alternator was replaced at 206,625. No change.
What steps can I take to further investigate and remedy these issues, since I have good reason to believe it isn't the battery or alternator (the charging system still tests fine)? I'd of course prefer to do it in order of least to most trouble, time and money. Thanks for your input.
2007-01-19 07:23:11 · 4 answers · asked by smarsquid 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Check the ground wire between the engine and the frame. The battery and alternator are both grounded to the engine, so they're happy with each other. But, everything else is grounded to the frame, so if you don't have a good connection between the frame and the engine all the gauges and lights will work erratically.
2007-01-19 09:34:40 · answer #1 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your alternator may be weak, but it may not be. Many older cars do this because at lower engine speeds the alternator is putting out less current, so the car has to rely on battery power more than the alternator. As the engine speed increases above say, 1500 RPM, the alternator is putting out significantly more power to your car's electrical system, so the lights are brighter and the fan is faster. Do not worry, my 87 Mustang does the same thing, and it is normal. Just face it, it is an old car.
2007-01-19 07:32:20 · answer #2 · answered by Doug K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like a bad ground from the battery at the engine.Check for clean tight connection.Grounds are known as secondary circuits.That is the wire that goes to ground after the component.The frame of your car acts as a conductor to return the voltage back to the battery ,via the ground wire.Make sure that the belt that turns the alternator is tight.
2007-01-19 07:33:17 · answer #3 · answered by (A) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like a short in a wire under the dash, around the brake area
2007-01-19 08:23:33 · answer #4 · answered by stev12007 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋