A very interesting problem.

This all started yesterday on my way home from the doctor. I kept noticing the stereo would get louder and softer while I was driving. Since it is the stock system and it a pile of trash that I am going to replace this month anyway I ignored it.

However, on the way to work today it was still doing it. The pattern is that it gets softer and muffled as soon as I give it a fair amount of throttle. As soon as I hit the brakes it goes back to normal. I also noticed while getting on the interstate, when pushing the throttle the ABS light would flicker on and off.

I don't see how the two could be related.

Any ideas?

Is your alternator failing and the voltage dropping?

I don't know. I guess I should have it checked at Autozone or something.

So that's the first thing you'd suspect?

Yup sounds like dying alternator. ABS light on is indicitive of it as well as the stereo doing what its doing. TT's didnt get a volt gauge like the NA's so you really wouldnt have any warning like we do..

Oh boy, guess I'll stop by Autozone tonight. Now I'm off to check alternator prices. :frown:

ok how bout this one...mine does the same thing but in reverse. It gets louder when i goose it.:confused:

I assumed it was just one of those speed sensitive things like some cars have....

well blink if you dont have any other problems other then your radio then its probalby just a bad ground for the radio.

So, I wasn't able to get the alternator tested yet since the car was stuck at the dealer getting the 60k done. Anyhow, I picked it up from the dealer last night after work. The ABS light doesn't seem to flicker on anymore but the dash lights would get a lot brighter if the engine was revved high. The stereo is still doing the same thing.

Another thing I noticed was that after removing the key it was pretty warm. I touched the metal on the ignition switch and could only hold my finger there for about seven seconds because it was so hot.

This brings me to a few questions:

1. Am I going to do damage to anything connected to the electrical system by continuing to drive the car?

2. I am going to have the alternator tested but as I've found Autozone/Checker alternators seem to be crap and at $255 I don't really want to pay that. So do I get mine rebuilt, buy a used one from someone here, or buy a remanufactured?

3. If you would say get a remanufactured, then which one? I looked at Auto Parts Warehouse and I don't know which one to buy. All I know is that I need to get at least a 110 amp.

4. Where are all the ground wires I should check?

Thanks,
Clint

If they are getting alot brighter and the key is warm then it sounds like the voltage regulator itself is dead and you are actually overcharging the system. You could do damage if you continue to drive it. I would just get it rebuilt. Much cheaper and you know its fixed.

Where would I go to have it rebuilt and how much do you think it will cost?

I think I paid $60 to have mine done. Just open the yellow pages and look around. Or even call an auto parts store, I am sure someone will know.

pull off the negative post of the battery when the car is running. if it dies then the alternator is bad. i had the same problem a year ago. after about 25 minutes my headlights blew out because the voltage went maxed out past 16

What about a short?

My father and a couple of 3Si members seem to think it is a short. This makes me worried to drive the car at all since electrical shorts can lead to a fire.

If it were a short youd be blowing fuses. It sounds like an overcharge caused by a faulty voltage regulator.

Alright, I trust you man.

I was just pretty worried after talking to my dad since he got me started working on cars and I trust him as well. Now that I think about it my battery in the Sebring shorted on the hood once and it simply stalled the car.

Now, what about this? I got the 60k done at a dealer on Friday. I got the car back Saturday. When driving home it seemed like the throttle was randomly sticking. In fact when I almost got home I didn't even need to push the gas to hold 30MPH in third. However, it was a problem that came and went. I am assuming that it is a vacuum leak, but it seems too random.

Do you think this could be related to my electrical issue?

No probly a result of the 60k. Pull the ypipe and fix the gasket. Its probly part ly stuck in the throttle plate.

Well, I stopped into Autozone this morning and had them test the charging system. He said the voltage was all over the place. At times it was lower than 11 volts and at others around 16 volts.

There is a local place that said they will rebuild mine for $140.00 which is better than what any of the parts stores are charging. Would you guys go with that option or grab one from Auto Parts Warehouse?

Who would rebuild it? Don't go to that place just south of Autozone!! It's called like orem auto electric (OAE)..THEY SUCK!
I saw you came back in today.. what Happend? was there anything wrong?

Who would rebuild it? Don't go to that place just south of Autozone!! It's called like orem auto electric (OAE)..THEY SUCK!
I saw you came back in today.. what Happend? was there anything wrong?

Yeah, it was Orem Auto Electric. What would you suggest I do?

Anyhow, they think that the ECU just needed to re-learn. It is running fine now.

I might be able to get you a good deal.. let me see if i can pull some strings!
Jason

Yo Yo I can personaly get you a remain for 146.XX that is without me marking it up.. let me know if your interested.. also feel free to kick me a few bucks.. oh oh I forgot life time warenty!!
Jason

Yo Yo I can personaly get you a remain for 146.XX that is without me marking it up.. let me know if your interested.. also feel free to kick me a few bucks.. oh oh I forgot life time warenty!!
Jason

Well, that's probably the best way to go then. All the parts places want about $190-$255. I'm surprised you can get one that cheap. Will you need mine for a core?

Yeah I will need a core

Yeah I will need a core
Just to make sure, this is a 110 amp OEM? Also, will you have to order it? Because I won't be able to get it off until this weekend. I won't be driving it until I get this fixed. Sorry if I'm being a PITA, I just worry about crap.

Thanks for the help man, I'll kick a few bucks your way for helping me out. :)

Yeah its a remain from a parts house it is 110 amp.. yes it is the exact one for your car.. It is also in stock.. I dont work friday or saturday this week though so let me know before then.. if you want just call in and we will work out the details

Yeah its a remain from a parts house it is 110 amp.. yes it is the exact one for your car.. It is also in stock.. I dont work friday or saturday this week though so let me know before then.. if you want just call in and we will work out the details

Alright, I'll try to get it out on Saturday. I'll just drop by Monday morning on my way to work. Is that fine?

I mean i can get it for you saturday.. It's going through me not the dealership

I mean i can get it for you saturday.. It's going through me not the dealership

Oh.

Well, I won't be able to get it off until Saturday.

how ever you want to do it bro.. do you want to pay with a card? or cash? if your payin card you have to give me that number to actualy get it with.. if its cash i will just buy it and you can get me back when you pick it up.. let me know
Jason

I'm a moron, Saturday would be fine. I'll just pay with cash that'd be easier.

**sorry about the hijack poly**

Jason, are you able to get stereo codes for Eclipses by any chance? My sister's '97 GS battery went out yesterday (she left her door open) and her stereo's dead now and needs a code...can you get it by any chance? What will you need (VIN and possible code on the back of the stereo maybe)? Let me know...thanks...

**sorry about the hijack poly**

Jason, are you able to get stereo codes for Eclipses by any chance? My sister's '97 GS battery went out yesterday (she left her door open) and her stereo's dead now and needs a code...can you get it by any chance? What will you need (VIN and possible code on the back of the stereo maybe)? Let me know...thanks...

exactly.. i need bolth

**sorry about the hijack poly**

No worries.

Just an update, the new alternator seems to have fixed the problem. Thanks a ton Jason!

Jason, I sent you a PM. Thanks in advance.

On a different note...you guys know how to reset the radio code? Is it the same way as a GT? Because my sister didn't know what to put in there and punched in a whole bunch of stuff before she asked me and locked the radio. DOH!!!