Re: Idle drop with electrical load increase + windshield wipers

["Paul Bayly" <thebaylys@domain.elided>]

Biba, I don't recall exact details of your original problem but if you have
an idle drop whenever there is a load placed on the alternator, I would
assume that whatever is causing the load is using too much power.   Having
said this, fans will drag more power than almost any other electrical item,
so if the idle drop is negligable I would leave everything alone.

You know the old adage "you can't get something for nothing".   The energy
required to run the fan must come from somewhere, in this case the engine
power.  Does the idle drop get worse if you simultaneously turn the demister
fan on full ?

  The wiper motor saga sounds like the same problem.   ie: the wiper motor
needs an overhaul.  New brushes and a skim of the commutator should fix
things.   May be cheaper to get an exchange item.

To confirm motor problems in both cases, you need to check amperage draw
when these components are switched on.

If you find the current draw isn't excesssive, then the alternator may be
getting tired.  Also check the chassis to engine earth strap (I usually add
an extra).

Does the cooling fan have a relay ?   If not I'd fit one to shorten the
current path from battery/alternator to fan.

Is the insulation on the fan wires getting 'bubbly' ?  This is a telltale
that the earth isn't good and/or the motor is dragging too much current.

Excuse me if I've just told you how to suck eggs !!!


Beatle
Oz

-------Original Message-------

From: alfacybersite
Date: Sunday, 01 December 2002 06:19:52 AM
To: AD
Subject: Idle drop with electrical load increase + windshield wipers

Back in the olden days there was a brief time I thought I could afford
to care and feed a GTV6. I don't remember the engine idle dropping when
the fans kicked on. If it did drop, it was very, very minor.

Having owned a '75 Alfetta GT for years (which has once again become the
daily driver) I always appreciated the fact the GTV6's idle didn't drop.
I assumed it was a combination of a more powerful engine and there was
some magic stuff in the black box preventing and / or compensating for
when the fan, etc. kicked in.

Joe, after reading your comment, I was hoping someone would come up with
an easy fix which could also be applied to the 'original' version.

A new, but somewhat related question: How does one check out the wires
going to the windshield wiper motor? On our previous downpour my wipers
stopped completely. Since then I've done a little checking. No blown
fuses, but turning on the wipers with the engine not running would make
the alternator light almost go out with no movement of the wiper arms.

I've sprayed the heck out of both the electrical connection to the motor
and the motor's relay. I now have movement, but still somewhat sluggish.
I've thought about stealing the wiper assembly from the spare '79
Alfetta GT, but hate to go to the effort if the problem is strictly in
the electric's.

Biba
Irwindale, CA USA
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