lwenniger Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 Hello Guys!!! I am having some kind of electrical problem with my car. I have the SC400 and it has 102,000 Miles on it. The headlights will dim when I turn the signal lights left or right and when I apply the breaks. Also, the CD changer will shut off. This happens on and off and sometimes will only happen twice a week. Can somebody help me and let me know what seems to be the problem. Note that I have changed the battery already and still happening. Thanks, Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsalih Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 Intermittent operating problem with the alternator, it's going out and needs to be replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwenniger Posted March 29, 2006 Author Share Posted March 29, 2006 Intermittent operating problem with the alternator, it's going out and needs to be replaced. Thanks for your reply but I had the alternator changed already 6months ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsalih Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 That still doesn't rule out a bad alternator. Have the alternator output checked (when the lights are dimming) and also make sure you don't have oil leaks that are dripping on the alternator. Also, make sure you don't have corroded battery terminals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mehullica Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 I'd check the ground side of the electrical. From the battery post to engine and body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwenniger Posted April 6, 2006 Author Share Posted April 6, 2006 That still doesn't rule out a bad alternator. Have the alternator output checked (when the lights are dimming) and also make sure you don't have oil leaks that are dripping on the alternator. Also, make sure you don't have corroded battery terminals. Thanks again for your kind reply. I will talk to my mechanic about it. Linda I'd check the ground side of the electrical. From the battery post to engine and body. Thank you very much for your input. I will try this too this weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teelias Posted April 6, 2006 Share Posted April 6, 2006 That still doesn't rule out a bad alternator. Have the alternator output checked (when the lights are dimming) and also make sure you don't have oil leaks that are dripping on the alternator. Also, make sure you don't have corroded battery terminals. Well know problem, replace negative cable from battery, clean the mounting points well and you should be good to go. Thanks again for your kind reply. I will talk to my mechanic about it. Linda I'd check the ground side of the electrical. From the battery post to engine and body. Thank you very much for your input. I will try this too this weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e333li Posted April 10, 2006 Share Posted April 10, 2006 That still doesn't rule out a bad alternator. Have the alternator output checked (when the lights are dimming) and also make sure you don't have oil leaks that are dripping on the alternator. Also, make sure you don't have corroded battery terminals. Well know problem, replace negative cable from battery, clean the mounting points well and you should be good to go. Thanks again for your kind reply. I will talk to my mechanic about it. Linda I'd check the ground side of the electrical. From the battery post to engine and body. Thank you very much for your input. I will try this too this weekend . leaky power steering pump? thats exactly what happened to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwenniger Posted April 10, 2006 Author Share Posted April 10, 2006 That still doesn't rule out a bad alternator. Have the alternator output checked (when the lights are dimming) and also make sure you don't have oil leaks that are dripping on the alternator. Also, make sure you don't have corroded battery terminals. Well know problem, replace negative cable from battery, clean the mounting points well and you should be good to go. Thanks again for your kind reply. I will talk to my mechanic about it. Linda I'd check the ground side of the electrical. From the battery post to engine and body. Thank you very much for your input. I will try this too this weekend . leaky power steering pump? thats exactly what happened to me It was not the alternator and the battery was very good as well. The alternator is charging to its maximum. Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKperformance Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 Guys please stop quoting above posts just for the sake of it ,it becomes hard to actually follow new info and get to the point of the post. How much do they dim? Do they only dim when you use the turn signals ,other wise the car is fine? Did you check for a power steering leak who checked the alternator what was the load and voltages read from your unit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vschopp Posted April 14, 2006 Share Posted April 14, 2006 This is a well known problem. The issue is the connection from the negative terminal of the battery to the chassis. The connection is right behind the battery. Remove the 10mm bolt and clean the connections. I used a dremmel which worked very well and problem imediately disappeared. Make sure you clean the area on the chassis where the cable washers make contact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lwenniger Posted May 2, 2006 Author Share Posted May 2, 2006 Hello there!! What if I change the negative cable or wiring, would it fix the problem? The car has 103,000 miles on it. BTW, it will dim almost half power when I apply the break; also, it will kinna choke sometimes when I was driving on the expressway. The radio will shut off and my clock will change time. The Mechanic check the alternator and it was charging to beautifully at 13.. What do you think? Regards, Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_lee84sc Posted May 4, 2006 Share Posted May 4, 2006 try upgrading your ground wires, there is a kit from lextasy.com Ground Wires Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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