Slight dimming / pulsing after GMK install

[scrupul0us]

I recently installed my GMK CAI and now i have a slight pulsing/dimming in my headlights and cluster

I only removed two grounds in the install procedure and hooked them back up... the only thing i can think of is that i cleaned all the bolts with vinegar and cleaned up the ring terminals with some vinegar on a cloth...

other than that nothing new has been changed electrically...

maybe when i removed the grounds and cleaned them i changed the connectivity?

i did buy a new negative wire to replace the stock one that mounts to the frame from the battery, just need to install it...

any other suggestions?

[mond12345]

When u re-install the grounds did u make sure the surface was clean and un-pained? I would double check the grounds and get that new ground cable you got in there.

[Moraki]

Either that or its just coincidence that your Alt has choosen now to start failing. Then again to me at this point i always think alt. So maybe its just me.

[scrupul0us]

When u re-install the grounds did u make sure the surface was clean and un-pained? I would double check the grounds and get that new ground cable you got in there.

i installed them to the stock points... however, im sure that i didnt use the same bolts in the same places... ill pull it all this afternoon and sand down where the terminals touch and use new washers as the others were rusty

i did however add an extra ground... looking at the engine bay from the front bumper on the left motor mount there is a cable that runs to the hood... i added a new 4 gauge from that point to a hole located on the fender ridge that the coolant take sits on... that lessened the amount of dimming... hopefully its just a crappy ground

aas for the alt... as I've been playing with my car more, I've been gettin the rev's around 6.5 and around there I do get a battery light, i assume from the brushes spreading away from centrifugal force... but aaside from those few moments i have had no other electrical issues

[mond12345]

Well if your getting a battery light at all the alt is starting to fall and its only a matter of time before you get stuck some where.

[scrupul0us]

yea but ive been gettin that light FOREVER at the higher rpms... i think i first saw it last spring when i use to get gung ho... honestly, i think it might be time for a new serp belt... it slips all the time when it rains and from what i can tell, in 6 years its never been replaced

[mond12345]

Yeah i would replace it. I love my Gator-back belts :)

[scrupul0us]

yea i just picked upa new one at advance auto and found the how-to... so much work todo on the car today

[GrandMasterKhan]

yeah battery light = impending death.

Dont forget to check the + and - wires to and from the alternator. Check the fused link on the + wire. Alot of times people forget to check it and when in reality that wire has been damaged over time.

Dont just throw alternators at the problem. Check that wire also!

[scrupul0us]

i ran a new 2 gauge positive from the alt to the battery last year and its is wrapped in wire loom... so im sure thats not the issue

my money is on a corroded ring terminal and rusted washer that amke up the secondary battery ground, which sgetting replaced soon as i get home today

although, i didnt reinstall the leather pad that the battery sits on... could that have any affect?

[Moraki]

although, i didnt reinstall the leather pad that the battery sits on... could that have any affect?

no Its a plastic case battery like they all are.... the pad doesn't insulate the battery or anything. Its only there to try and keep the base from wearing into the case... not that ive ever seen that to be a problem :shrug:

[scrupul0us]

well i replaced that one ground and from just a small test it looks like its still pulsing... ill go have my alt checked tomorrow to se whats its putting out

[scrupul0us]

actually... after about 5 miles of driving it went away completely... hmm

[scrupul0us]

weird... its kinda back

I start up the car and go... i turn headlights on and they bounce for a few secs then go away completly... if i use turn signals, brake, etc then they pulse for a sec or two then stop

wierd!

and so im just gunna ask... whats so hard about replacing the alts... just unmounting and remounting the thing?

also whats a recommended replacement... since the autozone, pepboys, advance auto ones are looked down upon

[mond12345]

Yeah all you have to do is un unmount it, remount it and un-do some wires but the thing is in the worst spot in the world! Theres several how-to's around.