I am having a little problem with my charging system. I already changed the alternator (had a few laying around in my garage so its not a new one) and installed a new optima yellow top battery. My problem is that when i first start the car, it doesn't matter if it is for the first time of the day or weather it is already warmed up it will show a 14+volt charge on my voltmeter. But once i start driving it it bounces between 12.5-14.2 volts and at night my lights go dim and after about 3500rpm my lights get brighter. I wanted to know if this is normal or if I actually have something wrong with my charging system. If its any help it is an obd2 b18b engine.

 

anyone?

 

if you turn on accessories and the voltage drops way too low, then it's the alternator

 

You have underdrive pulleys installed?

 

no underdrive pulleys

 

what year is the car? sound similar to the issue i have with my 98 coupe. cel showed up before with a electrical load detector issue. alternator was overcharging, etc. haven't completely fixed the issue yet.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtecb20coupe &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what year is the car? sound similar to the issue i have with my 98 coupe. cel showed up before with a electrical load detector issue. alternator was overcharging, etc. haven't completely fixed the issue yet.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Mine is a 97 hatch. I am not getting no cels. I am thinking its the ELD also so im gonna change that out when I get the part in. I will let you know how it works out

 

how are you overcharging with only 14v?

 

check, or just replace the cable running from the alternator to the fuse box.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DelSolDon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">check, or just replace the cable running from the alternator to the fuse box.</TD></TR></TABLE>

ohm'd it out......... its good

 

still doing it