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Old 02-27-2013, 09:17 PM   #1
danger1138
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06 Fxt

Default Flickering lights when volume turned up.

Hey guys, just wanted to trouble shoot this issue before it gets worse. To start i already have a grounding kit on my car, just for kicks. I also have a cobb ap, and my battery voltage readings vary from 13.9-14.5 i believe, ill double check tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure its at that rAnge on average.

So ive noticed that when i turn on the cabin lamp, and i have the volume up, i see the lights flicker inside.. What could be causing this? Is my battery dying? Is it my alternator? Is there a better way i should run my grounding kit wires? No i dont have a wire running to the shock tower..
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Old 02-28-2013, 04:46 PM   #2
danger1138
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Bump...
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Old 02-28-2013, 06:17 PM   #3
Bubakanush
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Most likely your alternator.
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Old 02-28-2013, 06:49 PM   #4
danger1138
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How can i check that? Multimeter? What are the general symtoms related to the alternator going south?
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Old 02-28-2013, 08:43 PM   #5
danger1138
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So my cars been driven for about 20 min now, so should be plenty warmed up. As i check my battery volt. Reading via my cobb AP, it reads anywhere from 13.5 to 13.7
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Old 03-02-2013, 11:28 AM   #6
Cougar4
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Your battery could be getting weak. Getting a load test done on the charging system would be a good thing to do. The alternator may also be putting out excessive AC ripple voltage which is the cause of this kind of thing and is often overlooked. Measure the AC voltage across the battery while the lights are on and the engine is revving around 1,500 RPM. You should see less than .1 volt of AC voltage if things are okay with the alternator.
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Old 03-02-2013, 12:35 PM   #7
danger1138
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U measure the AC voltage by making contact with wire on top of alternator with a multimeter?
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Old 03-02-2013, 01:10 PM   #8
Aaron'z 2.5RS
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Amps suck juice.. the louder they are the more they suck...

Subarus stock electrical isnt great from the start, a pretty weak alt and crappy battery stock, poor'ish grounds throughout..ect.. it all plays into it..

The alt provides juice while the motor is running and the battery acts as a helper when it cant keep up... I used to go through a battery every 2yrs..

Upgrade, wires and grounds first as its the cheapest... then a good battery, then a bigger alt (in order of expense)
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Old 03-02-2013, 01:13 PM   #9
Aaron'z 2.5RS
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The actual WHY it dims and whatnot it because the manufacture does the LEAST is can to make a car.. pull ONE copper strand out of ONE wire harness and save a 100k over 10yrs...

They didnt design the car to supply your system
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Old 03-02-2013, 07:56 PM   #10
danger1138
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Yea i already installed a grounding kit on the car. Big three mod. I dont have an audio system other than the stock unit and my battery is almost 2 yeArs old.
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Old 03-02-2013, 11:50 PM   #11
Cougar4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by danger1138 View Post
U measure the AC voltage by making contact with wire on top of alternator with a multimeter?
You measure AC voltage basically the same way as DC voltage. Excessive AC ripple voltage means some of the diodes inside the alternator are bad. Place the meter probes across the battery posts while the engine is running around 1,500 RPM and verify the ripple voltage is less than .1 volt AC.
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