On occasion when in park (ESPECIALLY in park or idle) or very rarely going at a slow pace (such as slowing for a turn or rolling to a stop sign) and I turn the steering the steering to one side or another the dash lights and headlights will dim and the battery indicator gauge will dip low past the half mark. I just installed a new battery a couple weeks ago and the connection/cables are clean and solid, it did this before the new battery as well. If you hit the gas for a second and lights brightness and battery level go back to normal. Could this be a sign my alternators going? In addition once in a while on cold first starts the battery indicator gauge dips around a bit also for a couple minutes. Thanks guys.

_________________
-Justin

Do you notice a change in the RPM when turning the steering wheel? And have you measured the voltage when doing this to see if it dips?

_________________
bobgto65

2004 Bonneville GXP 62,000 miles purchased 04/13
2009 G8 GXP PBM, M6 9580 miles, no mods, sold 08/15
2009 G8 GT SBM 36,000 miles, modded 430 whp
2002 Bonneville SSEi 203,200 miles (sold 3/2014)

No change in rpms when this happens. Just tested it. Put it in park turned the wheel back and forth small drop in battery voltage gauge and light dim. Held both back window buttons and turned the wheel back and forth MAJOR jump on the battery indicator it was playing ping pong and lights went very dim. Evened out a bit when I stopped turning the wheel and pressing buttons. Hit the gas and gave it some rpms for a second and back to normal.

_________________
-Justin

That's because the alternator can't keep up with the demands on it at very low speed. Is your idle speed low or have you changed the crank pulley?.
Does your car have electric power steering?.
Could be the alternator is tired but as long as the volts go back up to normal as soon as you come off idle I shouldn't worry.

Roger.

It sounds like belt slip, or dropping rpm's. Belt slip would just be that the alternator is no longer turning the necessary rpms to generate power, so the system drops to just battery voltage. You may want to check belt tension and condition. You can also try some belt dressing, and if it is belt slip, it will usually make the belt grabby and stop the issue for a bit.

_________________
~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place

Roger correct I understand the alternator cant keep up with the demand, that's what concerns me. Yes it has assisted/power steering I think all 2000+ do, never changed the crank pulley. It never used to do this, so i'm concerned the alternators on its way out. Ill check out the belt condition it doesn't look that bad, perhaps the tension.

_________________
-Justin