Electrical problems

Tiny
NCBO
  • MEMBER
  • CHEVROLET BERETTA
I have a 1995 Beretta with a 2.2L engine w/ auto tranny with 115695 miles.

I have a problem with the cars electrical system. Just replaced an alternator when I noticed that the air conditioner was "surging", that is, the fan would speed up, then slow down intermittently.

Driving the car back home at night, it was doing the same thing, and the headlights would flicker.

Fearing that the lights would go completely out, I shut off the AC, but the lights kept flickering.

Stopped at a parking lot to examine under the hood, while the car is at an idle, everything works fine!

Getting back on the road, under speed, these symptoms reoccur.

What the heck is going on here? I've always had problems with this cars electrical system, I keep changing out bad alternators as something seems to doom them all to a early death.

My turn signals will quit on me too at various times driving the car. And it seems my rear window defroster takes a heavy drain on the system causing lights to dim, fans to slow down, flashers stall, etc, etc.

Cold weather REALLY makes these problems even worse!

Any help to resolving this very irritating problem(s) would be most appreciated!
Sunday, August 5th, 2007 AT 9:43 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
FOXYTIGER
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Sounds like you have a short some where could be anywhere check your starter cable from your battery make sure theres no nicks cut ect and make sure its not touching the post on the starter I mean the other post then check your negitive cable look for same things and you mite want to put heavyduty cables on the stater to battery and the neg starter to battery is positive I also put a ground to the negitive post on battery to the body of the car it grounds it better that way some cars already have the wire to the body and check the ground strap for your engine hope that helps if thats not the problem happy searching for that short trace your wires down even in the blinkers headlight any thing with wires make sure there not touching each other in the wrong spots like nicks ect use electical tape to keep them fro touching if it that I would keepn some in your car until you find it you never know when youll need it
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Friday, August 17th, 2007 AT 3:50 PM
Tiny
NCBO
  • MEMBER
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Thanks for that info on wiring & inspecting grounds.I need to do that ASAP!

I've been meaning to update this posting, seems the alternator I brought was putting out too many amps.

The cars specs call for a 105 amp output, the alternator was putting out close to 200!

Replaced alternator & retested amp output, which read 105 amps @ 2500 RPM. Lights are not flickering anymore.
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Friday, August 17th, 2007 AT 6:04 PM

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