'96 850 turbo - Elect. Probs

suberec · Post by **suberec** » 14 Oct 2008, 08:33

Hi all,
I tried reading through previous posts to find an answer to my problem, but haven't (yet) found one close enought o suit me.

I recently purchased this car (140K Miles) and started having problems.
The most concerning is in the electrical system.
It started out w/the headlights and instrument light fluttering. Not really in time with the rise and fall of the RPM, but almost like there is a bad connection somewhere. I haven't had time to do any troubleshooting, so I parked it. Well my wife has decided to drive it now and the problems have worsened. The lights dimming did start to coincide with the engine RPM. Since the Alt had been recently replaced, I did a "shade tree mechanic" check and disconnected the + lead while the engine was running. It actually ran better. The lights brightened stopped fluttering. I replaced the lead and it seems that the lights are better, but the turn signals will increase/decrease tempo as the engine revs.

On a side note, there is a large amount of engine feedback on the AM stations of the radio.

Any Ideas?

Thanks

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 14 Oct 2008, 09:48

I would start by yanking the battery and dropping it off to an Advance Auto Parts or whatever chain auto parts store is close so that they can test it. It almost sounds like a shorted cell that is dragging down the charging system.

...Lee

coolfische · Post by **coolfische** » 14 Oct 2008, 18:16

about your side note....i've had 2 850's one a turbo and one a base 5sp also my brother has a 95' glt wagon automatic.....all have static issues on am stations, all rev with the engine, and all cars are at 200K plus....i wouldn't worry or put to much thought into the engine feedback, seems to be common or at least common with my cars

as far as the other stuff i'm not quite sure

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 14 Oct 2008, 18:59

The AM reception does the same in my S70 too. I don't know what the answer is.

Volgrrr · Post by **Volgrrr** » 15 Oct 2008, 02:44

Ozark Lee wrote:I would start by yanking the battery and dropping it off to an Advance Auto Parts or whatever chain auto parts store is close so that they can test it. It almost sounds like a shorted cell that is dragging down the charging system.

...Lee

Hi Lee,

This is the first time I've doubted one of your solutions.

Suberec doesn't mention any problems with starting the vehicle - which he certainly would experience if a cell in the battery was down.

Also I can't understand why a crook cell would have any effect on the system. I thought charging system would keep on doing what it was supposed to do i.e. keep supplying the required power output to service all the vehicles' needs, but the battery would not remain charged due to the dodgy cell.

Please correct me if I've got it back to front.

Regards Volgrrr

suberec · Post by **suberec** » 16 Oct 2008, 08:25

Hi All,
Thanks for the replies.
I broke down and took it to a local mechanic. His verdict....
The Alt is overcharging. He said that it is charging @ almost 15 volts and that I need to replace it.
Now I'm new to the area and have no idea if this guy is legit or not. I do know that there are a lot of high end cars he is doing work on (BMW, Mercedes, Jags, etc.) so evidently he has some community trust, but he did seem a little over the top. For instance, "the Alt is violently overcharging", Battery could explode", "could nuke the electrical system and you would need a whole new...".
He said that he wasn't even going to start it to get it off the rack because of the damage that could be done.
Maybe he's just an excitable guy and very descriptive, but maybe he's trying to throw a scare into me.
BTW, I asked him not to work on it until I could have a quote.

*Edit - Quote came to $740

Any opinions?

Thanks again.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 16 Oct 2008, 16:14

My opinion- get a second opinion. The guy does not sound honest to me. I've never heard of such.