Weird problems with car (electrical)

Avengence · January 6th, 2009, 04:22 PM

OK so this all started about a month ago when my cars computer reset and it was showing no oil pressure, interior lights wouldnt come on, etc.. It has happened before from a faulty iPod adapter but I dont have that in the car anymore. Shortly before that my volt gauge on my dash was showing high (all the way to red) randomly, so I checked the line going to the battery with a volt meter and it showed 13.84 which is normal. This is with the car on, when I rev the engine it goes up to 14.05 or so.

Anyway so after that happened and I unplugged the battery to reset the computer the windows werent rolling up randomly (when you close the door how the roll up to close the gap). Then after about a day or 2 they started working correctly and have been fine since.

Last night driving home it showed that my passanger airbag was disabled. I had my laptop and other stuff on there probably weighing about 15 pounds, would this make it think there is a kid or something sitting there? (not sure if it can tell weight like that)

Anyway, so is the gauge broken or is the alt going to need replacing?

Also today it was showing a little high on the volt gauge but when you check it with a meter it shows almost 14 volts.

This thing makes me feel like I have a BMW or something.

JakeM · January 6th, 2009, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by Avengence

OK so this all started about a month ago when my cars computer reset and it was showing no oil pressure, interior lights wouldnt come on, etc.. It has happened before from a faulty iPod adapter but I dont have that in the car anymore. Shortly before that my volt gauge on my dash was showing high (all the way to red) randomly, so I checked the line going to the battery with a volt meter and it showed 13.84 which is normal. This is with the car on, when I rev the engine it goes up to 14.05 or so.

Anyway so after that happened and I unplugged the battery to reset the computer the windows werent rolling up randomly (when you close the door how the roll up to close the gap). Then after about a day or 2 they started working correctly and have been fine since.

Last night driving home it showed that my passanger airbag was disabled. I had my laptop and other stuff on there probably weighing about 15 pounds, would this make it think there is a kid or something sitting there? (not sure if it can tell weight like that)

Anyway, so is the gauge broken or is the alt going to need replacing?

Also today it was showing a little high on the volt gauge but when you check it with a meter it shows almost 14 volts.

This thing makes me feel like I have a BMW or something.

The airbag light is ok. If you have anything on there and it doesn't add up to 90+lb's the airbag will shut off automatically.

The other things, sounds like a faulty voltage regulator. This would require you to replace the alternator because I don't think you can just buy the Regulators anymore.

kotten148 · January 6th, 2009, 04:29 PM

what year is your car?

Avengence · January 6th, 2009, 04:32 PM

2005 Mustang GT

Avengence · January 6th, 2009, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Towelly

The airbag light is ok. If you have anything on there and it doesn't add up to 90+lb's the airbag will shut off automatically.

The other things, sounds like a faulty voltage regulator. This would require you to replace the alternator because I don't think you can just buy the Regulators anymore.

So with a faulty voltage regulator, can it give the battery a different voltage than what its giving the rest of the car? I am sort of confused on all of that, why the gauge shows what its showing but when I read it with the meter its fine.

JakeM · January 6th, 2009, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by Avengence

So with a faulty voltage regulator, can it give the battery a different voltage than what its giving the rest of the car? I am sort of confused on all of that, why the gauge shows what its showing but when I read it with the meter its fine.

The battery is kind of like a "shock" absorber (Pun intended

) for the entire electrical system so that could be possible.

Avengence · January 6th, 2009, 05:03 PM

Alright well I will take it to autozone or something and see if they can tell me if its bad. Any way I can get just a voltage regulator?

Avengence · January 6th, 2009, 05:07 PM

Oh and not sure if this means anything but I got a bunch of corrosion on my negative terminal all of the sudden about a month ago. Maybe its overcharging the battery and the battery is getting beat up over it.

chad05gt · January 6th, 2009, 05:09 PM

disconn and reconn from main computer... sometimes connections get compromised.

example: my speedo will stop at 40mph every now and then.

Do you have any OTHER lights out???

I had side marker out, just one light... didnt worry.... 3 days later, wake up to go to work and ONE headlight on....

replaced marker light, no problem...

this closed loop crap gets silly....

Avengence · January 6th, 2009, 05:12 PM

Im just worried that all my other stuff is going to get fryed from the alternator doing this...

I will try to disconnect and reconnect stuff and see what happens.

2006greyGT · January 6th, 2009, 07:04 PM

all the other stuff is protected by the fuses... have the test done and clean your terminals as stated above... alternators can put out a lot higher voltage than 12... I have a powerful system in my truck along with a snow plow... I kill a battery pretty quick but I am always charging ant it stays at about 14.2 on the dash gauge and verified with a meter. it has to put out more than 12 volts to keep it at 12+ with the max draw.. above 12 OK below 12..not good

January 6th, 2009, 04:22 PM	#1
Avengence Regular 2005 Mustang GT 13.4@103 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 243 iTrader: 0 reviews	Weird problems with car (electrical) OK so this all started about a month ago when my cars computer reset and it was showing no oil pressure, interior lights wouldnt come on, etc.. It has happened before from a faulty iPod adapter but I dont have that in the car anymore. Shortly before that my volt gauge on my dash was showing high (all the way to red) randomly, so I checked the line going to the battery with a volt meter and it showed 13.84 which is normal. This is with the car on, when I rev the engine it goes up to 14.05 or so. Anyway so after that happened and I unplugged the battery to reset the computer the windows werent rolling up randomly (when you close the door how the roll up to close the gap). Then after about a day or 2 they started working correctly and have been fine since. Last night driving home it showed that my passanger airbag was disabled. I had my laptop and other stuff on there probably weighing about 15 pounds, would this make it think there is a kid or something sitting there? (not sure if it can tell weight like that) Anyway, so is the gauge broken or is the alt going to need replacing? Also today it was showing a little high on the volt gauge but when you check it with a meter it shows almost 14 volts. This thing makes me feel like I have a BMW or something.

January 6th, 2009, 07:04 PM	#11
2006greyGT Premium Member 2006 Satin Silver GT 11.08@125.22 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: KC Posts: 3,073 iTrader: 0 reviews	all the other stuff is protected by the fuses... have the test done and clean your terminals as stated above... alternators can put out a lot higher voltage than 12... I have a powerful system in my truck along with a snow plow... I kill a battery pretty quick but I am always charging ant it stays at about 14.2 on the dash gauge and verified with a meter. it has to put out more than 12 volts to keep it at 12+ with the max draw.. above 12 OK below 12..not good __________________ 2.6l KENNE BELL 298 Stroker, Ported heads Pro Motion Built 3650/McLeod RST/ MGW Short Throw Long tube/O/R X /Borla Touring 8 rib/65 lb injectors/GT500 twin fuel ET Drag Slicks/3.73 gear Detroit Truetrac /CDC AGR Spoiler

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January 6th, 2009, 04:29 PM	#3
kotten148 Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 536 Blog Entries: 2 iTrader: 0 reviews	what year is your car?

January 6th, 2009, 04:32 PM	#4
Avengence Regular 2005 Mustang GT 13.4@103 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 243 iTrader: 0 reviews	2005 Mustang GT

January 6th, 2009, 05:03 PM	#7
Avengence Regular 2005 Mustang GT 13.4@103 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 243 iTrader: 0 reviews	Alright well I will take it to autozone or something and see if they can tell me if its bad. Any way I can get just a voltage regulator?

January 6th, 2009, 05:07 PM	#8
Avengence Regular 2005 Mustang GT 13.4@103 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 243 iTrader: 0 reviews	Oh and not sure if this means anything but I got a bunch of corrosion on my negative terminal all of the sudden about a month ago. Maybe its overcharging the battery and the battery is getting beat up over it.

January 6th, 2009, 05:12 PM	#10
Avengence Regular 2005 Mustang GT 13.4@103 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 243 iTrader: 0 reviews	Im just worried that all my other stuff is going to get fryed from the alternator doing this... I will try to disconnect and reconnect stuff and see what happens.

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