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Voltage drop when the A/C starts up. 

 

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 Post subject: Voltage drop when the A/C starts up.
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:33 am 
Getting Side Ways
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Hi All,
Yesterday when I fired up the A/C I noticed the voltmeter on the dash dropped quite a bit for a minute or so and then returned to normal. Did the same thing last night on the way home and again this morning. What could be the cause? An issue with the alternator, or the A/C?
Cheers,
Euan

 

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 Post subject: Re: Voltage drop when the A/C starts up.
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:04 am 
Parts Gopher
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Try starting your car and turn on your a/c and headlights, then check the voltage across the battery. I see a drop in voltage on my voltmeter in the dash but i think thats normal. Your reading should be around 13.8 - 14.2 with accessories on. If your reading is lower i would check your alternator.
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 Post subject: Re: Voltage drop when the A/C starts up.
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:05 am 
NSW Cruise Moderator
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your aircon system is drawing power on inital startup, its normal, just takes a few seconds for the alternator to catch up, those first few seconds its also drawing from the battery. If your worried put a meter on it and tell us how much its actually dropping. I woudl be more concerned if it was not recovering from the drop.

 

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 Post subject: Re: Voltage drop when the A/C starts up.
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:10 am 
Getting Side Ways
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Thanks Dave, Lol! Shows just how much attention I pay to my gauges doesn't it. :oops:

 

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dc_todd wrote:
Cheap pads squeal like cheap hookers, and you can take that to the bank.


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My (Old) 95 EF Wagon

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