As of lately, the max has been feeling somewhat..weak. When driving, it seems as if there are volatage spikes or something.. I really don't know how else to describe it. At highway speed (steady RPM) it behaves just fine. On cold morning starts, and in stop-and-go city traffic, things start getting weird, and it seems to happen when RPM's are increasing or decreasing quickly. You can see the headlights dimming, aftermarket headunit shuts off then powers back up again(not enough power?), flow of air from heat/AC is choppy (speeds up then slows down). Engine itself is running fine though, smooth as butter.

I also have footwell lights tapped into 12v outlet (pretty much never on), and the LED drop-in's on the gauges and A/C unit, but they aren't doing anything strange. Don't have any subs or speakers, just stock bose. Could I be overloaded?

-Had alternator replaced (#3) in 10/2011 (brand new, not remanufacteured) after previous one started whining and slowly died. The last alternator (#2) was put in in Fall 2009 to replace the original. Im not sure if the last one was remanufacteured or not. That was before I bought the car from dad, and he can't recall if it was brand new.

-Replaced starter and battery at same time in 07/2011, after starter slowly died.

Any help of what could be going on would be appreciated! Anything similar happen to anyone else? Im really stumped at this point, and its turning into a head ache. Again, any input would be great, thanks guys!

 

How old is your battery?

 

he said 07/2011

 

Must've missed that. Way too tired.

 

How old is your belt?

 

A grounding kit might help, and cleaning replacing old wiring to the battery, etc.

 

+1 check all your grounds and battery connections.

 

The serpentine belt? Im not sure if its ever been replaced. I look through the service records from previous owner.

I'll look into a grounding kit if I cant find a solution. Im going to put stock headunit in for a day and try it out.

I haven't checked the battery terminals since it left the shop when had alternator replaced. I'll give those a look as well as the grounds. Is there a "main/master" ground to the chassis?

 

I would suggest you hook up a voltmeter and monitor the voltage while you drive. The voltage should be around 14 volts and never fluctuate. When you hear the fan slow or the radio or the headlights burp, check the voltage.