Ok so Ive got a weird problem.

I have noticed that when I have my lights on, or while rolling down an electric window, my cars idle seems to drop..

I recently hooked up a fan switch, and now when I turn on the fan switch at idle with nothing else on, the RPM drops.

It takes a second, but sometimes the engine will kick the rpm to about 1000, and thats enough to sustain the power, but if it doesn't, then the car dies.

Ive also noticed that when the power seems "Low" the gas pedal when pushed seems to almost take the gas awya instead of give it gas... and makes the RPM drop.

Is this an alternator problem? (the battery seems fine), would the "Big 3" help my issues?

Also, on a side not, my cartakes a couple trys to start, all while rappidly pushing the gas...id say about 45 sec of pumping the gas, trying, then repeating. Are these issues related? does anyone know how to solve them?

 

Need to tell us more about your car. Is it injected or carb.? So far it sound like the alternator is loading the engine when it needs to supply more power as it should.

 

Sorry, 1986 CARB z28 w/305 stick shift, 86000 miles...ive been told its somewhat of a hybrid fuel injection/carb but I cant confirm that as i dont know what to look for.

the alternator does put a bigger load, but sometimes it takes 2-4 seconds, and thats enough time when idling to kill the engine.

On a side not, my check engine light comes on after driving for about 15 min, and i checked the code and its a vaccume leak...could that be related?

 

Did your car come with a electric fan? Carbureted cars did not get the same alternator as TPI cars and may not be big enough.

 

I think that, my friend, may be the answer to my question.

I bought the car with this fan in it, but it also looks like it was in a front end collision, and there are "quick Connects" on the fan wires, so its obviously a back-yard mechanic job.

The fan also does not go on at 220 degrees like it is supposed to, and i could not find ANY temp switch, it looks like it was hard wired in.

Do you know the alt output of my car? or what it should be? Maybe i should get a high-output alt since i plan on installing an amp and other electronics?

 

63 Amp for carb. and 108 Amp for TPI.

 

Do you know if they are compatible?

like can I find a 108 amp one and install it in my 86 carb?

 

Yes just buy one for a 1986 TPI car

 

One last question...will the higher amp ALT put a bigger strain on the engine? and the pulleys and everything from a TPI are an exact drop-in replacement for Carb?