Date: 7 Apr 2004 13:29:37 -0700 From: alancemornospamo.com (Lance Morgan) Subject: Re: Full lights draining the power
ed_morrisseynospamail.com (Ed) wrote in message news:<62705092.0404070059.7313976fnospaming.google.com>... > Hope someone may be able to help. > > Have a 87EMS Saab and the car has a problem when i turn on the full > lights. Its draining the engine power to a point where it can conk out > in first gear. Checked out the battery and the altermeter and even got > the local garage guy to check them out and all fine. > > Is it an electric problem. Can't figure it out and can't see what it > could be besides the above. > > Any help before i bring it to a specialist............... As far as DIY, confirm that voltage at batt virtually matches that at alt, with engine running Ck that all grounds are clean & secure, including alt ground, batt neg, and chassis grounds A couple of special/expensive tools (shop should have) will measure the alt's _amperage_ output. Less likely is a problem w/AC ripple current (can be done with a multimeter and better yet w/a scope). And hopefully both batt and alt were load tested Does this prob only happen w/lights or does it happen with other 20A - 30A circuits (interior blower fan, when cooling fans kick on, etc)? Lance