temp rising, volt falling

[defylaw]

ok, so earlier this week my idle seemed rather high. about 2 grand. so i adjusted the TPS slightly to get it to 650. i was very scientific on this, just kind of going back and forth.

last night i come home from work, no problem on the freeway. but i get off and stop at a light. temp starts to visibly rise and the volts start to drop. dash lights dim slightly. if i start going again, they both go back to their normal positions. so the problem is only when i'm at a dead stop. i did some searching and i haven't found any answers to this exact problem.

my radiator fans are fine, as is the coolant level. i'm guessing i fahqed up the idle or something. so if anyone has any ideas on it.

[naustin]

maybe your idel is too low, so the alternator isn't giving enough power out. Maybe it was ideling high because the alternator is dying and it had to idle high to keep the system going.

Temp went up because the fan wasn't running, because the alternator wasn't giving enough power, volts going down because ignition system partially drawing off battery instead...

Just my wild guess.

[rebby]

i think nick's wild guess is a pretty good one actually... :thup:

[naustin]

:D

[defylaw]

alright, so i'll mess w/ the idle tomorrow and begin the search for a new alternator. any idea on what a good price to pay for one is?

[Splat]

get a rebuild... prolly much cheaper.

[BlackStormInc]

wow nick, strangly, that makes sense. And rebby was right, thats a good guess.

- BlackStorm

[KL03]

Not to be mean, but that dosnt make sence. But, maybe your idle is to low, causeing your water pump to turn to slow, (overheating) and your voltage to drop cause the alternator is not turning as fast (voltage drop)
that would just be my guess
________
Continental Mark IV (http://www.ford-wiki.com/wiki/Lincoln_Continental_Mark_IV)

[Splat]

Originally posted by naustin
maybe your idel is too low, so the alternator isn't giving enough power out. Maybe it was ideling high because the alternator is dying and it had to idle high to keep the system going.

Temp went up because the fan wasn't running, because the alternator wasn't giving enough power, volts going down because ignition system partially drawing off battery instead...

Just my wild guess.

Wow, KLO3 is on the ball... I'll tell you what.

[defylaw]

ok, so what is a good price for an alternator. napa has one for $204. and is this something i can install myself?

[Nite Ryder]

I noticed the same problem this weekend. When I was sitting in traffic for about an hour the voltmeter dropped all the way to slightly about the L on the dash, but as soon as I started moving again it was fine. My car doesn't idle high or anything. I think it's just that the engine idles too slow to really get a good current. Also, if you put the car in park or neutral the current will return to normal. So I don't think it's anything to be worried about, but we'll see.

[Eric94GT]

Check the alternator before you go out and buy a new one. If you havent done so already go buy a Haynes manual, it will help you out with most everything.

[KL03]

I heard from Matt that you can go to Tires Plus and have your charging system tested for free. I would do that first to maybe determine what the problem is.
________
vapir no2 (http://vapirno2.net)

[JDM_LUDE]

I wouldn't go to Tires Plus for anything. Sears Auto also has free testing on your charging system and I recommend bringing it to the one at Maplewood Mall.

Like KL03 said.....your Idle is probably just too low. Another problem for overheating could be a faulty Thermostat, check that out also.:)

[matt]

heh, tires plus crew, yay.
________
Bongs (http://glassbongs.org/)

[MN Probe GT]

tires plus fucked up my rims when putting on new tires. Honestly, that's pretty much all they do...change tires. they put a big scratch next to every lug nut hole on all 4 rims. How does this happen??? Well they paid to get them repainted...but it shouldn't have happened in the first place.