A very interesting problem.

Polygon · #1 06-01-2007, 12:30 PM

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?

talskinyguy · #2 06-01-2007, 02:23 PM

Is your alternator failing and the voltage dropping?

Polygon · #3 06-01-2007, 02:39 PM

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

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

Stealthee · #4 06-01-2007, 03:04 PM

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..

Polygon · #5 06-01-2007, 03:22 PM

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

AutostradaVR4 · #6 06-01-2007, 05:06 PM

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

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

DSM Monster · #7 06-02-2007, 08:11 AM

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

Polygon · #8 06-03-2007, 11:11 AM

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

Stealthee · #9 06-03-2007, 11:14 AM

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.

Polygon · #10 06-03-2007, 05:08 PM

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

Stealthee · #11 06-03-2007, 05:14 PM

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.

StealthModifier · #12 06-03-2007, 06:48 PM

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

Polygon · #13 06-03-2007, 10:47 PM

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.

Stealthee · #14 06-03-2007, 10:49 PM

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

Polygon · #15 06-03-2007, 10:55 PM

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?

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