kubus_stroinski

hey guys. i have a 91 camaro with a 3.1L engine in it. ever since i bought my car a year a go, i have been having problems with the electrical systems in the car. my volt gauge fluctuates a lot. i have a very low demand stereo in the car with no subs or anything. however, when my car is idling, or i have my blinker on (mainly with the blinker on), or when i press the brake pedal, or when i shift gears (automatic transmission) or when i lock the doors etc, the volt gauge drops a lot and this in turn affects my rpms and often makes my car just stall because the fuel pump doesnt recieve enough voltage (thats the code that comes up). my lights also dim whenever the gauge goes down. my question is what can i do? i had my car at the garage today and i was told that my battery is in tip top shape and my alternator is perfectly fine (replaced in february). what should i do? what would be an easy fix without rewiring the whole vehicle? would a capacitor help? would it save my car from stalling so much? im just having a lot of problems with this and no garage seems to be able to help me... thank you!

Firebat

iTrader: (7)

Sounds like you need a new alternator and/or battery. Replace both of them and see what happens. Do the battery first, it will be easier. If there is nothing changes, you can always take them back.

A capacitor will not help. A capacitor just discharges really quickly and helps with filtering in electronic a/c signals. A battery is the about the same as a cap anyway.

Otherwise looks like something is taking too much current. But, even if it was, i would think it blow a fuse.

99% chance its the battery or alternator

Firebat

iTrader: (7)

by the way, the 3 years that i drove my first firebird, i had to replace the alternator 5 times and the battery 3 times. Make sure you get good stuff.

blackbeauty

My money is on the voltage regulator inside the alternator. Get an auto sparky to replace it and you should be running again OK. Should be cheaper than buying a whole new alternator.

Firebat

iTrader: (7)

didn't know you could do that for our type of cars

kubus_stroinski

well my car died entirely. it just wont start. it turns over but doesnt fire. i called caa and the car will be on its way to an auto electrical place. thanks for the help guys. we'll see what happens

mopain

i'd really like to know what happens with your car. my car does the exact same thing, and i too have no idea what is going on.

blackbeauty

Are you sure your battery isn't getting flat with all the cranking from trying to start the car?

Trickster

BTW, starters require a minimum of 9.5 volts DC to function properly. They also require a battery with a sufficient cranking amperage. Anything less than that is like spitting into the wind.

kubus_stroinski

the fuel pump relay was gone so i had it replaced and now the car runs. the fault was not in the electrical system, it was an engine problem. i had my engine cleaned internally and now the car runs so smoothly and the engine doesnt click anymore when i accelerate and the voltage no longer fluctuates. makes me really happy. hope this helps somebody