power drop headlights, dash lights, AC/heater..

[dmp78]

i just started noticing this problem with my car.. my headlights, dashlights, and a/c (or heater) seem to experience random power drops. the lights will dim or flicker for a second or two, and the heater/AC will fluctuate as well. what might my problem be?
thanks

[quaddriver]

Originally Posted by dmp78

i just started noticing this problem with my car.. my headlights, dashlights, and a/c (or heater) seem to experience random power drops. the lights will dim or flicker for a second or two, and the heater/AC will fluctuate as well. what might my problem be?
thanks

probly something kicking in electrically and the alt take a moment to catch up (most have circuitry designed to approach max current slowly so they dont burn out - 100-130amp of 12vdc is actually pretty hard to do without welding itself)

[ivymike1031]

Another possibility is a poor ground strap to the battery - my old jeep used to do this all the time, until I finally figured out that the ground wire was badly corroded inside the rubber coating, where I couldn't see it.

[dmp78]

Originally Posted by quaddriver

probly something kicking in electrically and the alt take a moment to catch up (most have circuitry designed to approach max current slowly so they dont burn out - 100-130amp of 12vdc is actually pretty hard to do without welding itself)

Originally Posted by ivymike1031

Another possibility is a poor ground strap to the battery - my old jeep used to do this all the time, until I finally figured out that the ground wire was badly corroded inside the rubber coating, where I couldn't see it.

thanks guys.. i'll look into those areas