I have a 97 cavalier with a 2.2 ohv the problem started after i replace the alternator and it tests good so autozone will not take it back and the lights in the ipc and the exterior lights dim under high rpms 5500+ i have replaced the alternator, serpentine belt tensioner, and serpentine belt, all fuses come back good, and same thing with wiring, have had the battery tested and it also come back good
i was just seeing any suggestions on what it could be thanks
Erik Packard
How much electrical crap do you have running?
I don't know exactly, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was some crap in the ECU that shuts the alternator off over that RPM as a power enrichment thing. Though, I've never heard of a thing... but i wouldn't be amazed to learn that. Red line isn't that much higher than 5500rpm though, so it's not like you're driving there all day. And if you are, you're stupid.
i find it amusing that SHOoff has nothing better to do but follow me around & be an unhelpful dick in even cross-forum. - Jon Mick
It is hp tuned to 6600 and i used to be able to turn it all day long no problem but since i replace the alternator with the one from autozone is where the problem began, and i have 3 switches that power my fog lights, subwoolfers, and neons, i was told by a gm tech that i need to solenoid my fog light, and this should correct the problem but it was fine before the alternator change this is what confuses me why would the problem just develop the car ran fine all last summer with them and sat over the winter
Erik Packard
Could a ground wire be corroded and cause the problem just at higher rpms
Erik Packard
And you are correct im not driving it there all day, i just worry since i am taking the car on a road trip to Florida that it could develop into more of a problem
Erik Packard
does the alternator make noise? do the lights flicker, or just get dim?
no noise that i can hear, the one that went out mad a nasty growling noise and my tach went nuts and they just dim
Erik Packard
what test have you done on the alternator? check for ac voltage? which would mean a bad diode
I used the vat 40 and load tested it and checked the ac voltage with it and still nothing it puts the battery up to 14.7 volts all day long
Erik Packard
idk dude...maybe try what the tech said. hopefully one of the other guys will chime in. why not try the big 3 wiring upgrades from the audio forum. even if it doesn't help, it is a good thing to do to your car.
Thats what im hoping, im not so sure i want to do what the tech said since it worked fine all last summer the way it was and i parked it in a pole barn over the winter and wonder if it could have gotten corrosion on one of the grounds or something causing higher resistance at higher rpms, and im going to compositor my amp and solenoid my fogs but if that doesn't make a difference i have no idea, and i may try that idea with the big 3 wire upgrades do you have the forum for that, but if the symptoms dont get any worse im just going to run it and not worry about it
Erik Packard
Ended up being the starter solenoid replaced it and now im good to go
Erik Packard
