Yowzer Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 Alrighty. I have a '90 Celica which has a weird charging problem. The battery is new, the alternator's been tested and is sweet, yet sometimes at idle the battery light comes on and although the volt gauge doesn't seem to drop abnormally low the car suffers from lack of electricity. Lights dim, engine cuts out etc. I've checked the earths and they seem all good, Alternator belt is tight, I checked the brushes and they look like they've been replaced not too long ago. Any ideas what could be going on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unclejake Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 I reckon it is likely to be something to to with a TPS or something like that letting the motor idle too low at times. Got aircond and a big stereo? Checked the coolant level? (sounds random I know but coolant level will effect idle in a metric car) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowzer Posted December 10, 2008 Author Share Posted December 10, 2008 Idle sits around 800-900, average stereo and dunno if the AC actually works, never tried it. Engine also feels like its lacking in spark. Feels slow and gutless, almost like it has a miss, and then kicks back in. Figured its related to the lack of charge issue but not 100% sure. Apparently it was still doing that before it got a new engine (last one snapped the cam belt). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steelies Posted December 10, 2008 Share Posted December 10, 2008 jammy drivetrain slowing motor? mega short to earth somewhere not in the engine bay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowzer Posted December 10, 2008 Author Share Posted December 10, 2008 It charges fine when cold. Once the engine warms up the alternator seems to stop charging. What do that mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sholdowa Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 Sounds like you've got a bad earth somewhere. As it warms up, the resistance increases. Check the earth strap to the engine/battery terminals, etc: if there is corrosion/resistance, it'll be quite warm at one end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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